New York
Related: About this forumAn Uneasy Peace
Liz Benjamin
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Democratic leaders, labor union officials and even liberal activists are hailing the IDCs announcement that it will rejoin the regular Senate Dems after the November elections.
But if this new relationship had a Facebook status, it would definitely be: Its complicated.
First of all, this wont be a straight reunification, but rather a new version of the power-sharing deal IDC Leader Jeff Klein struck with Senate GOP Leader Dean Skelos back in 2013.
Klein has repeatedly said in interviews since the big announcement yesterday afternoon (made, by the way, via press release and without much fanfare) that the IDC will live on and remain in tact.
http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/06/an-uneasy-peace/
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Jimmy Vielkind
ALBANYIt's not particularly surprising that Jeff Klein cut a deal to re-ally with his mainstream Democratic colleagues in the State Senate. But why now?
What emerged in a joint statement late Wednesday was not a comprehensive governing plan, but essentially a deal to make a deal. The major forces interested in who controls the state's upper chamberGovernor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, key unions, business and lobbying groups as well as the senators themselveshave been circling each other warily, girding for a fight that would have entailed full-throated primaries against Klein and his four colleagues in the Independent Democratic Conference.
Rather than put everybody through a bruising cage match, all sides basically agreed to stand down. Klein committed to dumping his Republican governing colleagues in exchange for a commitment by major unions like SEIU 1199 and the Hotel Trades Council not to go all-in for former New York City councilman Oliver Koppell and other primary challengers, people involved in crafting the agreement said.
When legislators reconvene in 2015, Klein's position vis-a-vis Senate Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins will mirror his current arrangement with Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos, the people said. While nothing's been inked, people said Klein and Stewart-Cousins would each have to sign off on bills before they came to a floor vote. (Looking over the past year, there would seem to be fewer conflicts about high-profile sticking points.)
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/06/8547963/why-klein-cut-deal-and-why-it-might-not-hold
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Liz Benjamin
The announcement yesterday of a post-election IDC-Democrat reunification in the Senate may result in fewer or perhaps merely less strenuous primary challenges against IDC members, but the deal could result in a GOP opponent for one member where none previously existed.
Onondaga County Chairman Tom Dadey issued a statement this morning raising serious concerns about the IDC-regular Democrat deal, and saying it will will hand over the keys of state government to the New York City Democrats and the radical Working Families Party.
Putting liberal New York City interests back in charge of our entire state government would be a disaster for hardworking Upstate taxpayers, who would surely see their taxes go up and their state aid go down, Dadey continued.
As a result of this new development, Dadey said he is now exploring all options including recruiting a Republican candidate to challenge Syracuse IDC member Dave Valesky.
http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/06/idc-dem-deal-could-bring-valesky-a-gop-challenger/
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Jon Campbell
Senate Co-Leader Jeff Kleins primary challenger says he is moving forward with his campaign, but will weigh his future after discussing his options with supporters and Senate Democrats.
Oliver Koppell, a former state assemblyman and attorney general, has been mounting a Democratic primary challenge against Klein, the Bronx Democrat whose district includes a small portion of southern Westchester County.
http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2014/06/25/klein-challenger-moving-forward-primary-now/