Differences patched up for now
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- July
- 10
 Negotiations followed Republicans’ complaints on the floor, and the Senate returned to session about 11:45 p.m. This is a statement released by Senate leaders Malcolm Smith, D-Queens; John Sampson, D-Brooklyn; and Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County:
  “We as leaders of our respective conferences have agreed on a framework for historic rules reforms that will help us move forward to improve the operation of the state Senate.
  “The reforms encompass many of the recommendations of the Senate Temporary Committee on Rules Reform, as reported on April 21st as well as reforms advanced on June 8th, which we believe will create a more open, bipartisan and member-driven body.
  “These reforms are long overdue. They give each individual Senator the means to effectively represent their constituents and assure each Senator will be treated fairly and with respect so they can do their jobs to the best of their ability.
  “The rules will empower the membership and enable all 62 members a greater opportunity to get their bills moved out of committees and onto the floor for a vote.
  “There will be greater public notification of bills on committee agendas and greater notice on active lists for bills scheduled for a floor vote. Committee votes will be posted on the Internet and there will be new CSPAN style government programming to give citizens a greater window into the legislative process.
  “We have agreed that the Senate administration will be fair and nonpartisan, including access to services such as printing, mailings and provide for equitable allocation for staff.
  “We hope to conference these reforms and act on them as soon as next week. By enacting these reforms we hope to make the Senate a more effective body to better serve the people of this state.”
  Skelos said the Senate is “on the verge” of “really reforming the way this Senate operates in the future.”Â
  “We’ve been involved in a month-long struggle, but I also believe that the end result, as committed by Smith and Sampson that will enact historic reforms … change the process and also open up the sunlight to all constituents and the media,” he said. “It’s also going to empower the individual members.”
  Republicans believe the reforms should have been passed tonight, but they will be enacted when the Senate is in session next week, Skelos said.
This entry was posted
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 12:22 am by Cara Matthews.
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In effect, they have agreed only on how to divvy the money up among themselves.
this whole thing blew up in dean skelos’ face…he is no
joe bruno….the republicans made a deal with two devils
one screwed them within hours, the other returned to the
dem fold yesterday claiming he was bringing reform to
the senate ..this from a guy who lives in mamaroneck while
representing the bronx..and who is under investigation
for how monies were divied up in his district…skelos
should have known better and as we see today the republicans
are already claiming that the democrats are not keeping
their word..I’m shocked..politicians not keeping their word!!!
Dean Skelos got what he deserved, yrs. ago he and Guy Velella lost the senate by screwing other majority senators while drawing the lines for their own gratification, so Dean could be majority leader when Bruno left, little did they both know at that time not only did they lose spano’s seat they lost velella’s seat and then the downfall of the majority yrs later, hope your happy Dean you may as well resign you are not nor have you ever been a leader!!!
The biggest loser in this mess is Deam Skelos, he was played like a flute. When you partner with self serving individuals who will screw their own, you must assume that they will screw you. Well Dean you have been screwed and you are now looked at as a joke. This would of never happened if Bruno or Nick Spano were in Albany. Skelos is in over his head.
Bruno is skirting indictment and Spano has become a de-facto Democrat. Nice company.
spano has no obligation to republicans at this juncture
he is a private citizen…while he was a republican he
was a loyalist of the enth degree…you need to stop
thinking that simply because you served in one capacity
you have to remain in that ideology forever..doesn’t work
that way
Sure made sense to be a Protestant under Elizabeth I, and then switch to Catholic when Mary Queen of Scots took over. Prudent for your health – but to do it for simple personal gain is an insult to both religions.
“Spano has no obligations to Republicans”
And Republicans have no obligation to Spano. The sword cuts both ways.
(And, as a nod to Hypocritic Oath) If you convert from Catholic Church to the Episcopal Church (even to save your life)you have left the Catholic Church.
you are confusing religion with politics..that has been
the downfall of the republican party…Nick when he
was an elected official was quite loyale..ask joe
bruno..now he is in business and his first loyalty
is to his family and their welfare….
I believe the Consultant is way off base. Nick Spano used the Republican party. When he was chairman it was his own job mill. All the Spano’s are nothing but opportunists. Go to the power and get to feed off them. Then get top jobs for yourself and your relatives. He ruined the Republican party and left it in shambles. I hope he gets a chance to do to the Dems..