Eleven senators from both sides of the aisle sat down to try and work out an agreement, but after about an hour behind closed doors, they emerged to say no agreement was reached and that they’re still in negotiations.

Senate Democrats say the bottom line is they do not want Pedro Espada acting as temporary president of the Senate, a heartbeat away from the governorship. Robocalls stating their disapproval of Espada went out across the state to Republican districts this morning.

What they want is a power-sharing agreement where an equal number of members from each party hold the leadership posts.

But Republicans say the coup vote taken last Monday should stand saying Espada is the leader and that will not change.

Now Democrats are taking their arguments back to the courts.

Senator Eric Schneiderman (D) of Manhattan said, “Unfortunately the Republicans have come back with the demand that unless we acknowledge that Pedro Espada is the president pro temp of the Senate and the next in line to be the governor that they will not move forward with any bi-partisan system with putting bills on the floor and finishing the people’s business. So we feel we have tried what the judge told us and we have no choice but to go back to court and appeal the decision.”

Also interesting today, it seems North Country Democrat Darrel Aubertine was considering joining the Republicans and Espada on the Senate floor today to get some legislation passed, but that didn’t end up happening. Republicans said he was pressured by his conference members not to go on the floor.

(Source: Capital News 9)