RSS
New York Senate revolt a sign of things to come?
Subscribe
Was the revolt of two state democratic senators to the Republican side in New York a sign of what may be coming in the 2010 national elections?
According to the New York Times, the two senators-- Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens moved to defect to the Republican side, which would end Democratic control of the chamber. This caused the Democrats to lose their majority in the New York State Senate.
It happened after a leadership fight when the two Democrats joined the 30 Senate Republicans in a motion that would displace Democrats as the party in control. Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, would likely be the new majority leader if his party takes control.
When Senator Thomas W. Libous, a Republican from Binghamton and the party’s deputy leader, shouted for a roll-call vote, Democrats attempted to stall the vote by asking to adjourn the session.
As all 30 Republicans stood with their hands raised, signaling a vote for a change in leadership. Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate joined them, each raising his hand. The vote as was by a 32-to-30 margin. If the Republicans retake the chamber, Dean G. Skelos, of Long Island, would likely be the new majority leader.
Republicans released a statement saying chamber. “A new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate right now,”
Republicans had controlled the State Senate for more than four decades until January 2009. Then Democrats won a majority of Senate seats in the November elections, but only after three dissident senators who were being courted by Republicans, including Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate, agreed to elect Senator Malcolm A. Smith.
One person backing the revolt to put Republicans back in charge was Tom Golisano, the Rochester businessman and founder of Responsible New York, a political action committee that gave thousands of dollars to Senate Democrats last year to help them take control of the Senate. Mr. Golisano recently announced that he was moving his legal residence to Florida out of anger about the budget deal crafted in April by Democratic leaders in Albany, which included an increase in taxes on high earners. To balance its budget for the next year, the City Council needs Albany to approve two proposed sales tax increases.
Some wonder if what happened in the New York Senate is a sign of a general revolt that could tax place across the U.S. as over 1000 cities plan to have TEA tax protest rallies on July 4.
According to the New York Times, the two senators-- Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens moved to defect to the Republican side, which would end Democratic control of the chamber. This caused the Democrats to lose their majority in the New York State Senate.
It happened after a leadership fight when the two Democrats joined the 30 Senate Republicans in a motion that would displace Democrats as the party in control. Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, would likely be the new majority leader if his party takes control.
When Senator Thomas W. Libous, a Republican from Binghamton and the party’s deputy leader, shouted for a roll-call vote, Democrats attempted to stall the vote by asking to adjourn the session.
As all 30 Republicans stood with their hands raised, signaling a vote for a change in leadership. Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate joined them, each raising his hand. The vote as was by a 32-to-30 margin. If the Republicans retake the chamber, Dean G. Skelos, of Long Island, would likely be the new majority leader.
Republicans released a statement saying chamber. “A new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate right now,”
Republicans had controlled the State Senate for more than four decades until January 2009. Then Democrats won a majority of Senate seats in the November elections, but only after three dissident senators who were being courted by Republicans, including Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate, agreed to elect Senator Malcolm A. Smith.
One person backing the revolt to put Republicans back in charge was Tom Golisano, the Rochester businessman and founder of Responsible New York, a political action committee that gave thousands of dollars to Senate Democrats last year to help them take control of the Senate. Mr. Golisano recently announced that he was moving his legal residence to Florida out of anger about the budget deal crafted in April by Democratic leaders in Albany, which included an increase in taxes on high earners. To balance its budget for the next year, the City Council needs Albany to approve two proposed sales tax increases.
Some wonder if what happened in the New York Senate is a sign of a general revolt that could tax place across the U.S. as over 1000 cities plan to have TEA tax protest rallies on July 4.
Next leader of NY Senate Democrats that revolted
To read more about the New York Senate revolt, go to
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/revolt-could-imperil-democratic-control-of-senate/?8au&emc=au
Want to read more articles by the National Watchdog Politics examiner?
Subscribe at the top of this column to receive e-mail updates.
Want to add a comment?
Previous articles by examiner Watchdog Politics
Related Articles:
Comments
Although most polls show that the American public is in favor of offshore oil drilling, the Obama administration is ready to ban it. Meanwhile, …
Ethical behavior has become part of Wyoming law and is now part of the school curriculum. Wyoming now has its own official behavioral …
