Punishing Monserrate
February 9th, 2010
Today is the day that Sen. Hiram Monserrate will face the music. Some sort of resolution to penalize Monserrate is expected to be introduced and voted on.
It isn’t clear whether Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson will introduce a measure to expel Monserrate or one that simply censures him. Sen. Brian Foley has promised to introduce a measure to expel Monserrate. More than half the Democratic conference has indicated they would vote to expel Monserrate and most of the Republican conference seems committed to vote that way if they have the chance.
Losing Monserrate could leave Senate Democrats even less capable of acting on legislation than they have been since they took power. Gov. David Paterson has promised to quickly call a special election to fill Monserrate’s seat. Monserrate’s Democratic allies could make it very hard on the conference if they feel slighted.
Monserrate plans a legal challenge if he is actually expelled and he has promised to run for his seat in a special election should the expulsion be successful.
A number of Democrats have referred to Monserrate’s possible expulsion as, “a first step in cleaning up the mess.”
Monserrate was cheerful and confident this morning when he spoke to reporters as he left conference.
By David King on February 9, 2010, 11:50 amIn category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

