No Senate Democrats (except one), no quorum, no action
Senate Republicans and the lone Democrat who is part of their leadership coalition (Pedro Espada of the Bronx) met for the sixth time since seizing power a week ago Monday, but they were unable to do any business because they didn’t have a quorom. The reason was that the 31 other Democrats in the 62-member chamber didn’t show up for work. After a roll call and explanations by GOP leaders that they were ready to do work and even vote on a number of bills sponsored by Democrats, senators agreed at 3:31 p.m. to return at 3 p.m. tomorrow and try again.
The 31 Democrats dispute the vote that put the new coalition in power. The Democrats’ case was thrown out of state Supreme Court today, but they said they would not appeal. They maintain that Republicans and Espada should accept a power-sharing agreement they have proposed—a rotation of the Senate temporary president position between both parties, and a group of three Democrats and three Republicans deciding which bills move onto the Senate floor for a vote by the full chamber. Republicans reiterated today that they obtained power legally and are not open to the Democrats’ proposal.
Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Queens, alleged that Senate staff people were being ordered not to show up for session or to conduct Senate business, such as preparing legislation. He claimed that the staffers are being intimidated and threatened with consequences if they show up to work.
“This is unconscionable, unheard of,” Padavan said. “I believe it is also in violation of the state constitution,” Padavan said.
According to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, D-Nassau County, said the secretary of the Senate, Angelo Aponte, needs to show up for work and “perform his constitutional obligation.”
“His job is not to be putting monitors in people’s offices and intimidating people,” he said.
Gov. David Paterson said he had not heard of this problem, “and I certainly hope it’s not happening.”
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The Democrats lost, they were out smarted by the Republicans who sold their “Virtue” for “The end justifies the means”
The “MEANS” were Espada & Monserrate.
Now the Democrats have to lick their wounds and start getting back to doing the peoples business.
If the Democrats can’t keep control then you don’t deserve to “have” control.
Skelos and his “TEAM” won, and “SMITH” and his “TEAM” lost.
The Democrats need to lean how to play the game and learn the “RULES”
They should now start plotting their revenge and try to take back it if they can.
Skelos has shown he can “LEAD” and will do what it is needed to win.
That is leadership, you and I might not have sold our “VIRTUE” for THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS”, but we are not “LEADERS” we are bloggers, commentators, reporters, editors, etc, etc not ”:LEADERS”
So it is the for SMITH and SAMPSON to get back to work and stop crying.
History will judge them all along with the voters in 2010.
VJ Machiavelli?
?NO MORE SCHUMER
?NO MORE PELOSI
?NO MORE RANGEL
?NO MORE ENGEL AND HIS MILLION DOLLAR HOME IN MARYLAND
skelos has won nothing yet…monserrat is back with the
democrats.so its 31 31…for skelos to lead he needs a majority otherwise he will take the heat for the whole
thing coming apart