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Short but Sour Senate Session
June 24th, 2009

The Senate was in session for about five minutes today. Only Democrats showed up. They had been staking out the chamber since early this morning. In the end a few Democrats rose to question the legitimacy of Paterson’s special session and then they left.

Both Democrats and Republicans are concerned that under state law both houses of the legislature have to be called into extraordinary session to pass the same bills. 

Both sides are attacking Paterson’s leadership. They say yesterday Paterson’s office did not have legislation ready to present to the Senate in time for the special session, but most importantly the governor’s office did not understand the implications of calling the Senate into special session without the Assembly.

Democrats say they are headed home. Republicans are staying put.

The expected fireworks over gay marriage legislation did not occur, because no legislation was even considered.

Meanwhile, justice Thomas McNamara denied the Republicans’ request for a temporary restraining order against Secretary of the Senate Angelo Aponte.

Republicans have sought to prevent Aponte from acting as secretary because they say Aponte has barred Senate staff from helping Republicans introduce legislation and hold session. Republicans have been providing their own stenographer but have had to hold session with the Senate microphones and web broadcast turned off.

McNamara told both sides what he told them when Democrats sought to bar Sen. Pedro Espada from acting as president of the Senate, which was ‘figure this out yourselves.’ McNamara will rule on the case on Friday. 

Republicans are pushing for binding arbitration to try to settle the power struggle. Democrats aren’t very excited by that prospect.

By David King on June 24, 2009, 3:37 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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One Response to “Short but Sour Senate Session”

  1. Steve Says:
    June 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    This is division, plain and simple.

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