NY Senate's Dramatic Change of Leadership

N.Y. Senate Goes Republican, Aided by Two Democrats Bloomberg — Republicans reclaimed control of the New York state Senate with help from two Democrats, who rebelled against a $131.8 billion budget they said was negotiated in secret. Pedro Espada from the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate from Queens sided with 30 Republicans on key votes to change the Senate’s leadership. Democrats immediately challenged the claim and described the action as illegal. Governor David Paterson called it “despicable.” click to read complete article

Smith calls coup illegal, says 'I'm still Majority Leader' Examiner — Speaking at an Albany news conference moments ago, State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith said that he is still the Majority Leader. Smith maintains that the Senate had been adjourned at the time that the coup to oust him and as such was illegal. "Let me be very clear, I am the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate," said a defiant Smith, flanked by his Democratic Colleauges. click to read complete article

Gershman: If Dems Have an Ace, They’d Better Play It Fast New York Magazine — After one of the most shocking displays of Machiavellian politics in a statehouse awash with plots and conspiracy — when Democrats Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada helped Republicans take back control of the New York State Senate — it would not have been surprising if fistfights had broken out at the Italian Community Center near Albany, where Republican and Democratic lawmakers gathered last night for a fund-raiser. The eight-piece band, sensing trouble, tried to soothe tensions with Italian favorites like "O Sole Mio." "We didn't want to play anything that would egg them on," said the drummer. The Senate Democrats who showed up huddled and drank together, while Republicans dug into hot pizza and meatballs. The Democrats left early without incident. click to read complete article