Golisano, Senate GOP, Espada And Monserrate Win, New York Loses

by: robert.harding

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:27:04 PM EDT

Florida resident Tom Golisano apparently thinks that he is still relevant in New York politics. This comes only weeks after his big publicity stunt of a move to Florida (where he already had a home anyway), deciding to list his legal residence in Florida so that he could save what he contends would be $5 million in taxes. He whined endlessly about taxes, even though he was stealing the stage from the real victims of high taxation: The millions of middle-class New Yorkers who are feeling the pinch every year they pay their tax bill.

Golisano's involvement in this attempted coup today raises some serious ethical questions. He was right at the forefront during a press conference today and it has been said that he was involved in this all along. Reports have said that this was in the works for months and Golisano was one of the figures involved with it the whole step of the way.

But Dean Skelos and his Senate Republicans also win, although I wouldn't be hoping for Espada and Monserrate to keep their majority in 2010. The Republicans, who were railing against Monserrate for the assault on his girlfriend earlier this year, were more than willing to put that aside as long as it gave them majority. The Senate Republicans were calling for Monserrate's resignation months ago when these charges first came to light. Now, they can call Monserrate one of their own.

And then there is Pedro Espada Jr. He is touting this as a "coalition government." The only problem with that is the coalition only exists to meet his demands. He benefits most from the coalition: He gets the post he was looking for from the beginning (President Pro Tempore). Again, the Republicans are now siding with someone who has campaign finance fines against him and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking into Espada's dealings as well. Why would the Republicans, who are now bragging about the reforms they allegedly passed after taking over today, accept these two on as members? Are they that desperate to be in power that they would throw their morals and ethics out the window and welcome these two in with open arms?

Apparently, yes.

But Espada and Monserrate are the winners here. In my eyes (and many others), they are the villians. They betrayed their party and decided that their own power and glory was more important than the important business this state needs to address in the weeks to come. But they win because they (at least, Espada) got what they wanted: Power. That lust for power was evident early on when the new Senate wasn't even official yet, and Espada and three colleagues, which included Monserrate, were pushing Smith for perks in exchange for their votes. Monserrate broke away from that group, leaving Espada, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Sen. Carl Kruger. But Espada pushed forward, seeking the same seat he was given today by the Senate GOP.

Now, we have the doors locked on the Senate chamber. For all the talk that the Senate Democrats haven't accomplished anything and for all the charges and criticisms that the Senate Democrats have been on the receiving end of since they took control in January, let's see how everyone reacts now that this so-called "coalition government" has led to a shutdown of the Senate chamber. The doors are locked and no one is getting in. This is apparently headed to court, just in time for what many consider the most important time (apart from budget season) on the legislative calendar.

All because a couple of guys don't care about their districts or New York. This is all because they care about empowering themselves, not their constituents. This is about getting their titles, not getting New Yorkers what they need.

The Senate Republicans are willing participants. And this is all being pushed by a billionaire who really lives in Florida now, but still wants to keep his hand in New York politics. This isn't a democracy. Perhaps it never was. But this isn't reform. This is a travesty.

Did We Just Get Outflanked on Rules Reform?

by: BingChester

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:57:43 PM EDT

The political ramifications here are potentially massive.  If these rules reforms are of any substance, then Republicans may have stolen the mantra of "changing Albany".  That would be a travesty after only one year of Democratic control of the Senate.

Full information over the fold.

Senate Coup: Smith Says Its Illegal, Republicans Say Its Historic

by: robert.harding

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:18:29 PM EDT

The Republicans have taken back the New York State Senate, utilizing two corrupt Democrats - Sen. Pedro Espada and Sen. Hiram Monsserate - who decided that they would now caucus with the Republicans.

Liz, who seems to be just as confused as everyone else, wrote this report on what happened today:

The Senate Republicans just sent out an urgent media advisory calling all reporters to the Senate chamber "ASAP!" because "an historic change in leadership is taking place at this moment."

You can view the shenanigans it here.

(Or not, since the video steam is now out and on standby, not sure why that is, but it's now playing the canned "welcome" message from Malcolm Smith - I don't know what to call him anymore).

So much for the revolution being televised.

From the press release:

   "An historic change in leadership is taking place at this moment and a new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate RIGHT NOW."

Several Senate sources say two Democrats - Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr. - are poised to announce that they have decided to cross the aisle and caucus with the Republicans out of anger at Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

UPDATE: I strongly urge you to tune in ASAP. Sen. Tom Libous, a Republican from Bringhamton, just removed Albany Democrat Sen. Neil Breslin from the chair presiding over the Senate and replaced him with Sen. George Winner, an Utica-area Elmira Republican.

The vote was 32-30, which means two Democrats are voting with the Republicans.

UPDATE2: The floor fight was over a GOP motion to make Pedro Espada Jr. temporary president of the Senate and Dean Skelos majority leader. - the very deal that Smith originally offered Espada that was rejected by the rest of his Democratic members.

UPDATE3: Apparently, Tom Golisano was on the scene. (Funny, I thought he had moved to Florida). Remember, he played a role in putting together the original leadership deal - the one that fell apart.

An observer in the Senate chamber tells me Skelos was sitting in Smith's chair with a BIG smile on his face and Smith was nowhere to be seen. The chamber has now emptied out and Republicans are talking about electing themselves to committee chairmanships.

Just moments ago, Sen. Malcolm Smith's office sent out a statement that reinforced that Smith is majority leader and called the coup illegal.

"This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic Majority. Nothing has changed, Senator Malcolm A. Smith remains the duly elected Temporary President and Majority Leader.  The real Senate Majority is anxious to get back to governing, and will take immediate steps to get us back to work."

There is also a lot being said of Tom Golisano's role in this. Golisano is being credited with helping craft this deal that led to Espada and Monserrate voting for the Republicans and putting Dean Skelos back in as majority leader.

More reaction on this to come. Stay tuned.

Republican coup

by: simonstl

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:08:36 PM EDT

Well, I guess I can stop worrying whether Hiram Monserrate's indictment will cost Democrats control of the Senate.

Here's the Times-Union and the Times on what looks like Espada and Monserrate shifting to the Republicans to give them a 32-30 majority.

Would "Speaker Brodsky" be a change?

by: simonstl

Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 17:09:27 PM EDT

The New York Sun has an article on speculation that Assemblyman Brodsky would like to be Speaker, though they don't make it sound like he's looking for a Bragman-style coup.

I like Brodsky, some days. I thought his recent op-ed was pitiful, but it sort of makes sense if he's aiming to become Speaker.

Here's a hard question, though. Would Speaker Brodsky really be that much different from Speaker Silver? Would there be opportunities (outside of Westchester) for change?

[Update] I hit post, then saw NYCO has an interesting answer already:

but honestly, if this is the choice, I’d rather see a Speaker who has too much pride than one who merely has no shame.

Wow.