Today's Leads: Senate "Coup" Leads to New Rules; Council Voting Map Tossed Out
State Senate Republicans agreed yesterday to a power sharing arrangement with five dissident Democrats led by Jeffery Klein. Instead of being run by a majority leader, the body will be led by a revolving presidency held by Republican Dean Skelos and Klein. Leaders of the GOP and the Democratic group would have “joint and equal authority” over bills, committee assignments, appointments and budget negotiations. Some legislation the coalition is likely to back includes a minimum-wage increase and more lenient marijuana laws. Mayor Bloomberg's spokesman called the coalition “an example of bipartisan cooperation at its best,” but some Democrats criticized the arrangement a "coup." The other four Democrats are Malcolm Smith, Diane Savino, David Valesky, and David Carlucci.
In the Press...
Voting Map Tossed Out Amid Gripes (Wall Street Journal)
Areas Hit Hard by Hurricane Sandy Suffer Big Rise in Burglaries (Daily News)
Deal on Sandy Housing (Wall Street Journal)
