If You Thought Today Was Bad...
June 23rd, 2009
Chaos ruled the day in the New York Senate as dueling sessions, taunts, heckling and posturing took precedence over actual legislating. Both Republicans and Democrats acted to pass legislation, but it isn’t clear that any of it was done in a legal fashion.
Republicans came into the chamber after Democrats had arrived and began passing legislation on the “non-controversial calendar,” meaning that unless someone protested it was assumed the bill has full support of the chamber. Republicans passed around 85 bills in this fashion. Democrats remained silent as the votes were called but said later that Republicans did not take quorum to begin the session and therefore the legislation was not acted on legally. Republicans claim they took a quorum.
At 3 p.m., the scheduled start of the extraordinary session, Democrats began their session, while Republicans tried to move to address the legislation Paterson had directed to be addressed. Leaders from both sides spoke over each other. Charges of “you’re out of order” rang from both sides of the room. Republicans asked for the bills put forward by Paterson for the special session, Sen. Malcolm Smith said that the bills had yet to arrive.
Smith called the session at ease. But Skelos, still presiding over his session began to address his members. Skelos complained that Senate staff had not provided them with the bill jackets for the legislation that they acted on.
“If they were actually in charge, they would have the bill jackets,” said Sen. Kevin Parker who was standing at ease under Smith’s orders. Skelos glared at Parker and Democratic leader Sen. John Sampson told Parker to “Calm down.”
Republicans left the chamber saying they would return at 5 p.m. Democrats voted on a number of bills put forward by Paterson in the Republicans’ absence. And they acted, as the Republicans had, in reading from the “non-controversial calendar.” There were no objections and the bills passed.
At times the scene was disturbing for its utter lack of seriousness, civility and regard for the public trust. Some Senators joked, laughed and seemed to find particular glee in the mess they have created. But tomorrow, as impossible as it seems, may actually be even more chaotic.
The first piece of legislation Paterson wants to have considered tomorrow is a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Sen. Ruben Diaz, an ardent opponent of gay marriage, let his displeasure be known. He huddled with Republican leader Sen. Dean Skelos and and Sen. Pedro Espada, thus sending rumors that he might jump ship to the Republican coalition into overdrive.
He later claimed he was not switching sides, but was intentionally evasive.
“I could stop it!” Diaz told reporters repeatedly, referring to the gay-marriage bill. At one point, as reporters scrambled to get a comment, Diaz stood out of his chair and waved double peace signs to the crowd–invoking a Nixonesque image. Sen. Carl Kruger also met with Republicans.
Some say that Democrats have assured Diaz that they will not bring the measure to a vote. But Sen. Tom Duane, who is openly gay, has recently made it clear that he can’t follow any leadership that won’t bring gay marriage to a vote.
Meanwhile, a number of other Democrats said privately that they were disgusted with the leadership on display in the Senate chamber today. The Democratic caucus seems to be increasingly vulnerable to losing members the longer this mess plays out. Republicans remain a well ordered machine.
However, some Democrats think the day’s events have left them in a stronger legal position, as Republicans came in and took part in session after the Democrats had already taken control of the chamber. What is clear is that any hopes of having this standoff resolved by Gov. Paterson are now completely out the window.
By David King on June 23, 2009, 10:29 pmIn category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Public Finance | 3 Comments »



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June 24th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Simply pathetic. Is this what the Iranians are fighting for?
June 24th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I think its ashame that grown people can’t do the job they were elected to. Gov. Patterson should dock their pay for everyday that they choose not to work and be productive. And if they keep their child like attitudes they should be warned and then “FIRED” and let the people of New York elect people that want to work and make things better for everyone. These people are making New York look like a laughing stock to the USA.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
that’s what the ballot box is for; simply vote for other candidates next election, and “throw the bums out!” Anyone but the incumbent. all of them without exception, and let them make amends before running again. Maybe they (some) are good Senators, but let them hear from the voters at least once, and it will never happen this way again.