Inside Politics: Albany County budget debate turns to jobs

[...] as the rolling boil beneath that controversy appeared to be subsiding Thursday, others continued to simmer as some lawmakers asked pointed questions about several newly created jobs in the budget — including one widely rumored to be ticketed for outgoing legislative Chairman Shawn Morse.

[...] other Democrats — including Morse — dismiss O'Brien's and other critics' belated interest in the details of the budget as political maneuvering and sour grapes.

At a closed-door Democratic caucus Monday, Insider is told, Apple was quizzed by O'Brien about whom that job might be ticketed for — queries inspired by rumblings it could be a landing spot for County Attorney Thomas Marcelle should McCoy not re-nominate him or if Marcelle were to decline.

Marcelle has been county attorney since McCoy took office in 2012 -— a controversial pick that forced the executive to weather flak from fellow Democrats about his choice of a Republican-turned-Conservative Party member for the county's top legal post.

Apple said the new counsel would review documents like search warrants to ensure they are prepared and executed properly and to oversee legal issues at the jail.

An alternate version had Morse headed to a newly created job paying $65,500 at the nursing home, which McCoy cut out of his budget but which the legislature restored.