Today in you Friday Morning Trail Mix:
Governor Cuomo has released the final budget.
AG Schneiderman sued Sprint for not paying its taxes.
A bill to legalize mixed martial arts has reached the assembly for the third year in a row.
Albany
A lawsuit filed against Sprint Nextel Corp. says the company avoided paying $200,000 in taxes per week as part of a "deliberate" plan to keep its rates down. (Tom Precious, Buffalo News)
The Public Services Commission has approved Cuomo's plan to double funding for solar power. (Larry Rulison, Times-Union)
The final 2012-2013 budget has been released (with a jacket blurb by Bill Clinton). (Casey Seiler, Times-Union)
For the third year in a row, a bill to legalize mixed martial arts has passed the Senate and has landed in the Assembly. (John Eligon, New York Times)
Elections
In a paywalled op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Wendy Long criticizes the Dodd-Frank legislation as "hindering economic recovery." (WSJ)
Strong opposition to regulations in the financial markets may help Long narrow a gap in fundraising. Incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand had $9.1 million on hand at the end of last month, Long had just $69,000. (Emily Watkins, Times-Union)
In the April 24 primary, the Obama campaign will start focusing on Pennsylvania, sending its New York volunteers into Pennsylvania to ramp up in that key swing state. (Reid Pillifant, Capital New York)
The 4,000+ who attended Ron Paul's speech at Cornell mostly liked what they heard. (Matt Richmond, WSKG/Innovation Trail)
Economy
The capital region got a bit of good news - home sales and prices are at their highest levels since the beginning of the recession, so is private-sector employment. (Eric Anderson, Times-Union)
Because of exemptions, the 2 percent property tax cap is closer to a 3 percent tax cap. (Joseph Spector, Gannett)
Manufacturing and construction growth fueled stronger jobs numbers in the Buffalo/Niagara region. (David Robinson, Buffalo News)
