Paterson urges Senate to act on important legislation
In a late-afternoon news conference, Gov. David Paterson again urged senators to resolve their leadership dispute and return to legislating. He urged Democrats and Republicans to reach a compromise and act on more than 40 bills, such as extending permission to local governments on sales taxes.
Paterson said it’s not his place to intervene in political matters involving the legislative branch. The two sides disagree on whether the leadership coup that gave back control of the Senate to Republicans last week was legal. The governor suggested that they appoint someone who is impartial, such as New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, to run the session, or hold another vote on leadership.
“Both sides are clinging to the threads of what happened last week,” Paterson said.
Senate Temporary President Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, said the governor should help resolve the stalemate, not just as governor but as leader of the state’s Democratic Party. Espada was one of two Democrats who allied themselves with the GOP to throw Democrats out of power. The other Democrat, Hiram Monserrate of Queens, has since sided again with the Democratic conference, resulting in a 31-31 split in the Senate.
Paterson said he “would not take the bait and dishonor myself and the state by doing something that’s unconstitutional or an abuse of power.” “Not impeding” the work of the Senate is a sign of strength, not weakness, he said, pounding on the lecturn for emphasis.
The legislative session is scheduled to end next week. The governor has the power to convene a special session.
As temporary president, Espada apparently would succeed Paterson because the state has no lieutenant governor. Paterson left that position to become governor when Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace last year.
When a reporter asked Paterson who is first in the line of succession, the governor said only that issue is “in dispute.”
When there was no follow-up question, Paterson quipped, “I guess I’ll interpret that silence as all of you wishing me good health.”
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This circus of Clarabells is preparing to pull up stakes and head for the beach. And Captain Kangaroo, with a straight face, recommends that the Republican Senate appoint a liberal Democrat (Lippman) to oversee the session. The courts won’t opine; the Guv says that his “strength” precludes him from kicking some backsides. Espada had the key to the building, but lost it somewhere over the weekend. The Dems threaten retribution for anyone who dares open the building. Monserrate goes home with the last guy with a wallet who asks him to dance. How about we turn over the State to someone fair and impartial, like Rev. Al
iam soglad that the republicans stood up. now they need to work together to start passing some bills and get out of town. enough of the press conferences get in the chamber and debate !!!
Skelos has out smarted the Democrats he sold “VIRTUE” for “THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS” and “WON”
How it is time for the Democrats to get back to work and try to out fox the Republicans if they can.
He has proven he can lead and will do what is “NEEDED” to “WIN”.
That is “LEADERSHIP” you may and I might not have sold our “VIRTUE” for “THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS” but we are not “LEADERS” will are bloggers, commentators, reporters, editors, etc, not “LEADERS”
So it is time for the “LOSERS” to get up plot their “REVENGE” and get back to work, stop crying, and start plotting.
History will Judge you 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
ps If you cannot keep the thrown then you don’t deserve the kingdom
With each passing day these senators are showing us why they ran for office in the first place—not to serve the people, obviously; but for personal gain.
And does anyone notice who seems to be the only one doing the right thing? It’s Governor Paterson. You know he could be knee-deep in the many back door deals taking place if he wanted to be. But Paterson is clearly a man of integrity. He’s taking a firm position but not overstepping or abusing his power. And don’t think for a second that he’ll back down on his promise to call a special session this summer to make up every single day lost by this ongoing drama.
VJ Machiavelli, you are so right
“If you cannot keep the thrown then you don’t deserve the kingdom”.
It all depends upon what it is that is “thrown” at you.
CJP – Baloney!!
By that rule, Willie Sutton should be able to keep the cash, since he stole it and wasn’t immediately caught.
Skelos is a Captain Queeg, who won a round, but can’t hold onto to his ship. The Republicans who back this stinky deal will deserve their fate in 2010. The Dems have been stupid and lazy, and that’s why they lost control…but let’s not forget they lost because of Espada, not the voters. The voters want the Senate to change – after 44 years, Skelos wants to have his turn to be the King, a la Bruno.
The judge – a Pataki appointee – urged the two sides to work out a 31-31 power sharing deal. The Republicans say NO – capitulate to our coup!!! The Dems are right on principle.
(The Dems are right on principle.)
You mean the principle of making deals with Espada and Monserrate ??
Remember Smith lost his “Virtue” before Skelos.
Skelos was smart enough to take advantage and he received an A PLUS in rules 101
VJ Machiavelli
NO MORE SCHUMER
NO MORE PELOSI
NO MORE RANGEL
NO MORE ENGEL AND HIS MILLION DOLLAR HOME IN MARYLAND.
Let’s start at the beginning: Espada, Monserrate, Kruger, all ran as Democrats and were elected as Democrats. After they’re elected, they announce they’re a Gang of Four who will “negotiate” with the Dems. Skelos tries to win ‘em over, doesn’t in the short term, Smith comes to some closure, but when he doesn’t deliver usurious pork $$$, and powerful titles, Skelos gets Espada in the longer term.
You love this deal, putting the Reps back in charge BECAUSE you’re a Republican.