Senate GOP Leader Dean Skelos says a new bipartisan power sharing deal is a model for the country--but some black leaders says it leaves minorities out in the cold.
Sen. Malcolm Smith’s desire to join forces with the Independent Democratic Conference and bolster its members’ effort to form a coalition government with the Republicans makes a lot of sense – from his standpoint, at least.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any screwier with the ongoing state Senate power struggle comes the news – compliments of the New York Post – that Sen. Malcolm Smith has decided to dump the Democrats and join forces with the IDC, bumping their membership up from four to five.
IDC And Senate GOP Announce Coalition Government
Written by Capital Tongiht
Senate Republicans and the five-member Independent Democratic Conference announced this afternoon a power-sharing agreement that will allow feature a rotating Senate presidency and equal control over committee assignments, the Senate’s active list, appointments and other key functions of the chamber.
GOP, independent Dems claim NY Senate majority
Written by MICHAEL GORMLE
Senate Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference on Tuesday struck a deal to take control of the Senate in an unprecedented power-sharing deal.
Change in Party Leaning Is No Surprise to Constituents
Written by JOSEPH BERGER
Simcha Felder was elected to the State Senate just a few weeks ago as a Democrat, defeating a Republican incumbent for a newly drawn district in an Orthodox Jewish pocket of Brooklyn. But he promptly announced that when he got to Albany he would caucus with and mostly vote with the Republicans.