New York did not have one State Senate on Tuesday. It had two. (for real)

[ensho]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/nyregion/24albany.html?_r=1&8au&emc=au


Democrats sneaked into the Senate chamber shortly after noon, seizing control of the rostrum and locking Republicans out of the room. Republicans were finally allowed to enter about 2:30 p.m., but when they tried to station one of their own members on the dais they were blocked by the sergeants-at-arms.

So then something extraordinary — and rather embarrassing — happened.

The two sides, like feuding junior high schoolers refusing to acknowledge each other, began holding separate legislative sessions at the same time. Side by side, the parties, each asserting that it rightfully controls the Senate, talked and sometimes shouted over one another, gaveling through votes that are certain to be disputed. There were two Senate presidents, two gavels, two sets of bills being voted on.

“This is turning into the worst reality TV show ever: ‘I’m a Senator, Get Me Out of Here,’ ” said Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County executive and former Democratic candidate for governor. “Jon and Kate are fighting less than these guys “

Gov. David A. Paterson had called the senators to the Capitol Tuesday, urging them to find a way to end a 31-to-31 standoff that had halted legislative action for more than two weeks. Mr. Paterson said the Senate’s behavior “disgusts me.”

-snip-

By the end of the day, Democrats had passed 14 bills and Republicans had passed 85. But not even the governor could say whether any of the votes were valid, or who was in charge of the Senate. The senators will gather again on Wednesday for another special session called by Mr. Paterson, who has vowed to keep doing so, every day, until the sides resolve their differences.

-snip detailing the yelling back and forth; and what started the whole shebang-
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a funny: "Senator George H. Winner Jr., who was presiding over the Republican session, was left to peck the table in front of him with a small gavel used by Republicans for their private conferences.

“It’s better than the eyeglass case I was using before,” Mr. Winner said."


wow

[rurallib]

1. Now if they were allowed to carry guns, this could be cleared up in no time.

[madrchsod]

2. at least they were not "ku-fu fighting".......

or like the chinesse who seem to be....