| If anyone's curious what was in the rules reform bill the Senate Republicans passed (assuming that was legal), the Brennan Center has a copy of the bill and an assessment.
Overall, it sounds like "basic steps, but New York has long lagged behind the rest of the country in this regard". There's even an opportunity to pass bills without consent of the leadership:
The rule creating a new "motion for consideration" which allows members to either move for a vote or petition for a bill to be placed on the active list is surprisingly rigorous. Motions or petitions receiving the support of a majority of members present and voting and a majority of the chamber, respectively, will move bills onto the active list even over the wishes of leadership. These bills will come before the chamber for a vote on the next session day, or, if the motion or petition is made within the last four days of a legislative session, the bill will receive an immediate floor vote.
While I doubt the Republicans will do much else good, I hope we don't even consider dialing back these "basic steps" when Democrats return to power. |
