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The Weekenders
June 27th, 2009

Most senators showed up for separate special sessions today.  They were only there for a few minutes before they went back to their offices. There were appointments to approve but they didn’t bother with that.

The optimism that existed on Thursday has been muted. It could be that senators are just bummed to be working weekends but it is more likely because potential deals have come together and crumbled, over and over again. Sen. Pedro Espada and others insisted that they are doing their best to reach a deal this weekend.

The rest of the world is preparing for the Senate to remain deadlocked for the near future. Gov. David Paterson is meeting with Mayor Michael Bloomberg tomorrow to discuss the expiration of mayoral control. School governance legislation and a number of measures that help localities balance their budgets are set to expire on Tuesday.

Sen. Malcolm Smith appears to be less involved in negotiations than he was earlier this week. That could be because some Democrat’s were very unhappy about a possible deal that would have left him in charge.

Legislators are due back in the chamber tomorrow evening. With some luck they might stay in their seats for more than a few minutes. 

Paterson released another statement admonishing senators:

“It has now been 19 days since Senators last did the legislative work that their constituents sent them to Albany to do. With everyday that goes by, they give the public another excuse why they can not do this work. They have spent more time thinking of excuses than doing the people’s business.

“What is their excuse today? They have argued that I can not call the Senate back without the Assembly unless it is to confirm appointments. Today, the only item on the special session agenda was the confirmation of nine appointees. All nine individuals traveled to Albany and were in the Senate chamber for session. None were confirmed.

“Let’s be completely clear about this stalling; it is only about power and politics. In the most simple terms, it is the question of which party gets to hold the gavel in the Senate chamber.

“This is certainly not about what’s best for New Yorkers; it is about what’s best for squabbling leaders and their political fortunes. But all 62 senators are accountable because only they can stop their leaders from putting self interest ahead of the interests of the people of New York.

“This question of who gets to hold the gavel is threatening the education of New York City school children. Who gets to hold the gavel is threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs. Who gets to hold the gavel is threatening the health insurance for thousands of New Yorkers. Who gets to hold the gavel is threatening financial chaos for New York City and local governments across the State. Who gets to hold the gavel is threatening massive hikes in property taxes.

“The clock is ticking. On Tuesday, laws will expire. Tomorrow the Senate will be called back into Special Session. They will remain in Albany until they finish this work. I will continue to do everything in my power to prevent our schools from facing uncertainty and chaos, to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs in New York and to prevent steep property tax increases as a result of inaction. New Yorker’s should expect nothing less.”

By David King on June 27, 2009, 10:16 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Gotham City | No Comments »

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