Feb. 4: Weather cancellations. Students say deflate Malatras' parachute. Ft. Ed's special investigator. More power in Queensbury. Stefanik's $$ lead.

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Brookfield Power expanding in Queensbury

Brookfield Power will move to upstate New York, the Albany Business Journal says, after the company won $513,000 in property and sales tax incentives on Wednesday. It’s a $4.5 million investment in Queensbury adding 45 to 50 jobs in addition to the 35 currently there. The Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency approved an incentive package that includes $210,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $303,000 property tax savings over 10 years, the story says.

Investigator in Fort Edward Police 

The Schenectady County District Attorney is the special prosecutor in a criminal investigation of a Fort Edward police sergeant, the Post-Star is reporting. Dean Watkins is under investigation for allegedly tasing a man who was already in handcuffs. Watkins is on leave from the force for a different incident that involves the police chief as well. Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan requested a special prosecutor given the closeness with which he works with the police department and the possibility that criminal charges will be made. 

UAlbany Student Senate wants Malatras’ severance cut

The UAlbany Student Senate are asking the SUNY Board of Trustees to cut Jim Malatras’ "golden parachute,” and they are pushing the statewide student group to join in, the Times Union is reporting. Malatras is the former SUNY chancellor who was forced out of the post after news outlets reported on his abusive behavior. He is expected to return to SUNY Empire State College where he had been president and will receive over $400,000 as a severance payout for one year and a faculty position at nearly $200,000 per year after that. The student senate is asking the SUNY Board of Trustees to cut his severance package and for the funds to be reinvested in the public university system, the story says. A story quotes the resolution which claims Malatras "actively worked against student interests multiple times in his term" as chancellor.

Stefanik leads in fundraising

Finance disclosures show that, from October to December last year, U.S. Rep Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) raised $1.07 million. The other five candidates in the race to challenge her raised about $400,000, a story in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise says. She held $3.1 million in cash by the end of the year. Matt Castelli leads the way on the Democrats side, ending 2021 with $289,001, $30,000 more than the next-closest Democrat, the story says. Matthew Putorti raised $181,871 and $533,471 in total since announcing the run. Brigid “Bridie” Farrell raised $89,225 last quarter, toward her $247,957 total. Ezra Watson $1,853 toward a $3,500 total. The Representative’s only Republican challenger, Lonny Koons, brought in $575 last quarter, and has raised about $7,800 since announcing the run in 2020.

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