When last we joined the cast of the comedy show that is New York State politics, the state senate was locked up, frozen into immobility, by two Democrats jumping ship...and one jumping back. We have a dead even split between Democrats and Republicans, and no vice governor to break the tie.
Enter David Paterson, who left the vice governor spot empty by ascending to replace a guy who was near mortally wounded in a press incident.
Mr. Paterson said on Friday that if Democrats and Republicans failed to agree to share power by the end of the regular legislative session on Monday, he would call a special session. In a special session, all senators would be required to be present, and the governor would have sole discretion over what bills are placed on the agenda.
But the governor appears reluctant to take that step unless all other options have been exhausted. Shortly after the meeting in Harlem, Mr. Paterson’s office announced that Stan Lundine, a former lieutenant governor and a Democrat, and John R. Dunne, a former assistant attorney general and a Republican state senator from Long Island, had agreed to serve as mediators between the two Senate caucuses, and asked that both sides meet with the two men on Monday.
“I have given both sides every opportunity to come together and work things out among themselves, and for two full weeks, they have failed to do so,” Mr. Paterson said. “Until now, they have resisted third-party mediation, but it is clear that outside intervention is the only way to resolve this stalemate and finish important business that affects the lives of New Yorkers.”
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you know , this is as entertaining as Illinois
state politics. glad to know we're not alone.
You think that's
You think that's funny?
Paterson has to appoint a president of the senate, just for the special session. The article implies the state senators could reject that choice...and a party line vote on that rejection would split 50/50...and there's no vice governor to break the tie.
no, I don't think it's funny. I was listening this morning
to one of my favorite guys in Government..one of the good guys, as he went throught the list of cuts that will happen if the budget here goes through as is. I wanted to cry...literally cry.
at least you have an excuse - it's close between the Democrats and GOP.
WE have a Democratic Governor.
WE have a Democratic President of the State Senate.
WE have a Democratic Speaker of House of Representatives with so much power that if he wrote up a bill saying the sky was purple, they would go along and pass it.
And WE HAVE NO DAMN BUDGET.
So, tell me, P6...which situation looks worse to you?
OT- you are following this story, so here's an update
U. of I. medical school gave 2003 candidate unfair advantage
Documents show that unqualified student would have been allowed to transfer
By Jodi S. Cohen and Stacy St. Clair | Tribune reporters
- June 21, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-clout-medicine-21-jun21,0,6859617.story
NY's looks worse to me
NY's looks worse to me because it's right up close and in my face.
We had all that until two Democratic senators decided their personal agendas were more important than anything...except, perhaps, the desires of a certain angry billionaire. And we got no budget either.
And check this:
...which I could see inspiring Gov. Paterson's dynamism.