Report: Monserrate returning to Dems (NY Senate switch)

[struggle4progress]

Source: NY Daily News via Newsday

FROM NEWSDAY
5:57 AM EDT, June 15, 2009

... Monserrate (Jackson Heights) told the New York Daily News, "I'm coming home," the paper reported in this morning's edition.

A switch back to the Democrats would reconfigure Senate power at 31 to 31, assuming Espada continues to align himself with Republicans.

Monserrate told the Daily News he will publicly announce his decision on Monday, citing Friday's decision by Senate Democrats to replace Malcolm Smith as leader with John Sampson of Brooklyn.

Read more: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stcoup0615,0...

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Judge expected to rule on State Senate dispute
BY JAMES T. MADORE | [e-mail]
10:23 PM EDT, June 14, 2009

ALBANY - A State Supreme Court judge is expected Monday to rule on who controls the State Senate, while the new majority coalition plans to vote on about 70 bills.

However, experts doubted either action would put an end to the chaos caused by last week's coup, when two Democrats joined 30 Republicans to oust Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) as majority leader. The judge's decision probably will be appealed and the coalition may not be able to muster the votes for a session or to pass bills, the experts said.

Democrat Hiram Monserrate of Jackson Heights was negotiating with other Democrats Sunday about returning to their ranks. An aide said he was unavailable to comment.

Meanwhile, Republican senators and coup architect Thomas Golisano, a billionaire from Rochester, were trying to lure more Democrats to the coalition. If Monserrate bolts, the Senate would be deadlocked 31-31 because there is no lieutenant governor to break tie votes ...

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stcoup151287...

[saltpoint]

1. And darn it, he's decided to buy some new shoes as well.

My god, you New Yorkers always have the wild headlines in politics. I'm plenty jealous and a bit homesick.

[ejpoeta]

2. uggh! this is just about ridiculous! what a friggin joke!

[hadrons]

3. "citing Friday's decision by Senate Democrats to replace Malcolm Smith as leader ..."

If true, this is a welcomed development

[MarjorieG]

5. But Sampson? While running for Brooklyn AG as a lawyer who never tried a case in court, really a dim

bulb supported by Clarence T. I suspect ever a tool, but to whom this time?

I'm more upset that NY's billionaires continue to have such sway.

[brooklynite]

7. Think you meant "Clarence N"...

Freudian slip perhaps?

[MarjorieG]

8. Of course, Norman. Don't know what kind of slip...

[hadrons]

9. I was just commenting about Smith only ...

[Libertas1776]

4. What a

sniveling little worm.

[Merryweather]

6. WTF?!

This is the flip-flop to end all flip-flops. What a tool.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. OK, New Yorkers, I need a program to tell the players apart

Is Monserrate the one who's under indictment, or is that Espada? I know the other one has merely paid fines out his yin-yang for campaign finance irregularities.

[Danmel]

11. Our state government is just a total embarrassment

Albany has always been a dysfunctional mess, but now it's a veritable cesspool. Spitzer really created a disaster here with his inability to keep his pants zipped. Paterson is in way over his head, there is no lt governor, so there is a ridiculous power play in the State senate, the republicans and democrats act like children sticking their tongues out at each other across the aisle, nothing gets done, counties are suffering because they need the state to authorize certain taxes- this isn't a joke- essential services are affected, peoples livelihoods are at risk and they act like a bunch of brats.

[No Elephants]

12. Gee, I wonder how a billionaire gets a state senator to change parties.

The people of New York should take a leaf out of the book of the people of Iran.