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School district residents head to the polls Tuesday

SOUTH COLONIE- "The old axiom no news is good news, I guess we're living with that right now," said Tim Kremer, Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association.

No news, Kremer said, meaning no outcries or big rallies against proposed school budget votes slated for tomorrow. A far cry from last year, when the property tax cap went into effect, leading to lay-offs, program cuts and school closures.

"There have been cuts and such, but slowly we're creeping back. Last year we got state aid, this year we get additional state aid of a billion dollars," he said.

But the increase wasn't enough for South Colonie schools, which is putting a budget before voters that exceeds the cap. The tax levy increase of 4.98% closes an eight-million-dollar gap, reduces spending and combines modified sports. It also cuts 90-95 positions.

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Senate hearing on campaign finance, other election changes

The four members of the state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference held a hearing Monday. - WNYT

ALBANY - They have their work cut out for them.

"Scandal correcting, even though valuable, is just not going to be enough for the big problem that I see," said Michael Malbin, the executive director of the Washington-based Campaign Finance Institute.

If you were looking for people who thought the current way of financing and running for state office in New York was just fine, this wasn't the place.

"The recent scandals that have nearly consumed this legislative session underscore the pervading, corruptive influences of money in our political system," said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters.

The four members of the state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference held their hearing Monday.

There used to be five, but the IDC kicked out Malcolm Smith after he was charged in a bribery scheme. 

Albany police arrest three in weekend burglaries

ALBANY – Three men are under arrest, accused of burglarizing two apartments in the Pine Hills area.

The burglaries happened early Saturday morning at apartments on Western Avenue and Ontario Street.

A short time later, police found three men on Clinton Avenue that matched the description of the suspects.

Police say the suspects had stolen property on them.

Seneca Bonds, 20, Juwon Brown, 16, and John Brown, 16 were charged with burglary and grand larceny, and sent to Albany County Jail.

Comptroller: Thruway needs to improve bridge inspections

The New York State Thruway. - File / WNYT

ALBANY - The New York State Thruway Authority isn't doing enough to make sure highway bridges are safe.

That's according to the state Comptroller Tom Dinapoli.

In a new audit, Dinapoli's office found that the Thruway Authority did not inspect bridges in a timely manner and did not always notify the state Department of Transportation of serious red flag defects within the required one week.

That includes three bridges with flagged conditions.

The Thruway Authority defended its delays, but acknowledged it will work to remedy the problems.

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Assemblyman accused of sex harassment resigns

Vito Lopez of Brooklyn resigned from the state Assembly Monday. - NYS Assembly

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The resignation of a New York state lawmaker embroiled in a sex harassment scandal has become official a month earlier than he had originally planned.
    
Assemblyman Vito Lopez of Brooklyn announced on Saturday that his resignation from the 53rd Assembly District seat is effective as of 9 a.m. Monday.
    
The surprise announcement came just a day after the 72-year-old Democrat defied demands by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign immediately. Instead, Lopez had announced last week that he would resign at the end of the legislative session on June 20 to become a candidate for the New York City Council.
    
Lopez faced possible expulsion from the Legislature amid sexual harassment allegations.
    
The allegations against him include asking young female staffers to massage him and join him in hotel rooms.

Democratic assemblyman calls on Silver to resign

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. - File / WNYT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A published report says a member of the Assembly's Democratic conference is calling on Speaker Sheldon Silver to resign over his role in a sexual harassment scandal.
    
Assemblyman Michael Kearns tells The Buffalo News he'll quit the Democratic conference that rules the chamber because Silver mishandled sexual harassment claims against Vito Lopez, a longtime assemblyman from Brooklyn.
    
Silver crafted a $103,000 secret settlement last year to end the first accusations against Lopez by female staff members. That settlement avoided the Assembly's own policies for handling sexual harassment cases through a committee.
    
A special prosecutor found Silver was more concerned with limiting political damage than disciplining Lopez.
    

Summer Geocache Challenge at NYS Parks

Summer Geocache Challenge at NYS Parks

 

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Saratoga/Capital District region of New York State Parks will be hosting 50 all new geocaches in 16 state parks and historic sites.

There will also be a drawing for prizes for anyone who completes 35 of the 50.

The geocache challenge will begin on Memorial Day Weekend and will last until Veterans Day.