NY Senate not in session despite coalition plans

Source: Associated Press

WHEC-TV
updated 7:48 a.m. ET, Thurs., June 11, 2009
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The Senate session planned by a coalition of New York State Republicans and two dissident Democrats isn't starting on time as planned.

It's been two days since Republicans and two Democrats maneuvered a secret power play, apparently ousting the Senate leader and flipping control of the chamber. Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens joined with the Republican minority to form a bipartisan coalition with a 32-30 majority.

No one knows for sure if the power grab will hold, but Senate Democrats have locked the door to the chamber and refuse to open it for the coalition.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31210163/#storyContinued

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Upstate billionaire Thomas Golisano, founder of the NY Independence Party, was the engineer of the contested NYS Senate coup according to DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF, Kenneth Lovett: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/06/10/2009-06-10_f ... He claims he took offense with Democratic Senate President Malcolm Smith for paying attention to his BlackBerry while Golisano was outlining a budget reform plan. Golisano already had close ties with some Republicans, and worked through political operative, Steve Pigeon, to line up the two defecting Democrats, both of whom have serious legal troubles that may prevent them from running again when their current terms expire.

NY Sen. Hiram Monserrate, is fighting felony assault charges, and NY Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr., whom the Republican plus two coalition elected Senate President in closed door session after the other Democrats left, is under investigation by NY AG Cuomo for campaign finance violations. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06 /... His legal residency in his district is also under question. http://wcbstv.com/politics/pedro.espada.nys.2.989665.ht ...

Golisano claims he ascertained to his satisfaction that the current Republican leadership was ready to initiate real budget-cutting reforms, unlike their performance during the previous 40 years.

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No business conducted, a couple of speeches about plans for the future and then adjourment until Monday

Citizens had gathered at the doors to the chamber and were chanting, "The Senate's not for sale!". These so called "reform" senators who claimed to want transparency and open government then locked the pubic out of the session.

since it was voted on behind locked doors.