New York Gov. David Paterson is calling on state senators to resolve their power struggle and has pledged to work with the winner — as Democrats seek a court order to thwart the leadership shift.
“I am urging all of the leaders of the Senate to get back to the chamber,” Paterson said at a press conference in Albany. “They can go back into the Senate chamber and elect a majority leader and I will work with whoever it is.”
The leader of the insurgent coalition challenging the New York Senate’s Democratic majority said the group now has the keys to the chamber, which has been locked for two days by Democrats.
Sen. Pedro Espada, the Democratic head of the new power-sharing alliance, won’t say how he got the keys Democrats had refused to provide.
Meantime, Malcolm Smith, the Democratic Senate Leader ousted in the coup, is seeking a temporary court order to stop the power shift. Austin Shafran, a spokesman for Smith, says the Democrats won’t enter the Senate chamber while it’s governed by what they call unlawful rules.
Gov. Paterson lamented today that the political power struggle has diverted the Legislature away from debating key issues like property taxes, health care and same-sex marriage. He called Monday’s maneuvering an insult to government.
“All of us in Albany are tarnished by this,” Paterson said.
Billionaire Tom Golisano has emerged as the master of puppets behind Monday’s coup, inspired, allegedly, by Smith’s irritating blackberry addiction and plans to tax the rich.
In April, Golisano went to meet with Smith to express his displeasure with his plans to squeeze the rich to address the current budget shortfall, but Smith was unable to tear his eyes away from his BlackBerry.
“When I travel 250 miles to make a case on how to save the state a lot of money … and the guy comes into his office and starts playing with his BlackBerry, I was miffed,” Golisano told the New York Daily News.
Even if Democrats do manage to wrest control back, Smith’s days as Senate leader are as good as done, doomed by his failure to maintain control of his allies and keep an eye on his enemies, analysts said.
(Source: NBC New York)
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6 Responses
See, even you admit it is a “circus.” Clearly the people involved aren’t interested in government.
Considering the mess they made when they took themselves seriously, we should be relieved. If you are stuck being governed by a bunch of Marxists, better Groucho than Karl.
P.S. I was going to express concern that circuses sometimes involve women with very improper costumes, but the previous ringmaster tried that a few months ago, and no one found it amusing.
P.P.S.If they start throwing pies at each other, I hope they’ll get a good hecksher so the Jewish ones can lick them off. Circuses and clowns are much more entertaining than bankers.
Hey akuperma,
I cant say I always agree, but I do enjoy your insights. Now I see your funny too! Keep it up.
tHEY ARE CLOWN, ALL RIGHT–BUT THEY’RE VERY DANGEROUS CLOWNS. THEY HAVE THE POWER TO RUIN OUR LIVES WITH HIGH TAXES AND INSANCE TOEVA LEGISLATION.
LET’S HOPE THESE RESHOIM KEEP ON FIGHTING. wHILE THEY KEEP BUSY WITH THEMSELVES, WE ARE SAFE.
“YISPORDU KOL POALE AVEN!”
charliehall yes it indeed is very sad and I have no love lost for either side. In Albany anything goes and this just adds to the legend. Very well said akuperma (see we can agree)
What we should all be relieved about is that the democratic obsession with same gender marriage has come to a grinding halt at least for today.
As a business man we can also be thankful that the tax and spend Dems are our of power.
How this brekdown in gov will effect the city and the ability to restore priority 7 for our comunnity leaves an open question. What I refuse to accept though is that the increase in sales tax is the way to go. Its bad for business. There are many other programs that should be cut /downsized etc before taking another bite out of consumers who have a confidence level thats historically very low.
You cant get this enterainment anywhere else.
Only in NY. 🙂
The gov should have seen (oh! sorry Mr. Patterson)this coming when spit balls were being shot around the senate floor during a recent session. It is a circus. And David Patterson isthe clown act. But the lights are now dimmed, the crowds have filed out, the animals are back in their cages, and now Mr Patterson, it is time for you to step down. Someone more credible, more respectable and more qualified has agreed to temporarily take over. Pee Wee Herman.
GOOD: This is preventing the passage of the Toeiva “marriage” bill.
NOT GOOD: It is also preventing passage of the Markey bill or an approriate alternative to help the victims of alleged abuse.