Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Gay Marriage Food Fight in NY Senate

By

Check this out.  


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.

I think that gives the Republicans a 32-30 advantage.  

Another rumor du jour is that Diaz, who is furious that the gay marriage bill he opposes appears to be gaining some traction in the Senate, would be angry enough with Smith if the measure comes up for a vote on the floor to join the Senate GOP.

Oy.  

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0

Comments

  1. The revolt has thrown Albany into an almost surreal scene of confusion; on Tuesday, both Mr. Smith and the Republican Senate leader, Dean G. Skelos, were claiming to be the majority leader. Democrats locked the doors of the Senate chamber, preventing Republicans from gathering there, and refused to turn over the keys, prompting Republicans to threaten to hold a legislative session in the park outside.

    <

    p>The whole article is worth reading, not only for the amusing lockout story, but also because the whole brouhaha appears to be the work of a wealthy Democratic donor.

    <

    p>We may have our problems, but at least we’re not Albany!

  2. …the internal rules of the NY Senate should be pretty clear about whether midstream reorganization is permissible and how to go about it.

    • they include one side locking the room so that the other cannot get in!

      <

      p>You don’t really think that “the rules” determine how these things actually go, do you?  đŸ˜‰

      • I just looked at the NY Senate rules and it just says the Senate shall choose a Majority Leader (who apparently is also the President Pro Tem, next in line to the gavel after the currently non-existent Lt. Governor and quite powerful administratively), but does not elaborate from what I can tell.

        <

        p>As for the last line, one thing you should know about me is I am a sometime parliamentarian, and take great interest in the drafting of rules and governing documents for organizations of which I am a part.  As such, these documents and rules in my mind pretty much have the status of Holy Writ:)

        • But it is important to recognize that there is only so much that even the most finely-crafted set of rules can accomplish.  They can always be interpreted (even if the interpretation is implausible or not in good faith); they can always be amended; in a pinch, they can be ignored.  No set of rules can anticipate everything that, for instance, legislators desperate to retain majority power will do.

          • “No set of rules can anticipate everything that, for instance, legislators desperate to retain majority power will do.”

            <

            p>This is precisely why rules are probably more important in a political context than any other – to lay out exactly how power can and cannot be achieved and exercised fairly in an environment where “desperation” might lead to the rules being ignored.  There was a situation in my church recently which resulted in it being completely impractical to adhere to the letter of its bylaws, so even I know when to “fudge it”, but that is an absolute last resort.  When I am involved in writing bylaws I take it upon myself to make absolutely certain that contradictory interpretations, and certainly contradictory language, do not arise.  My mantra is this when it comes to drafting bylaws: Say what you mean; mean what you say; and for crying out loud – FOLLOW YOUR RULES!

            <

            p>Like I say, though, the NY Senate rules appear to be vague.  My own reaction to this would be to draft rules that would address a similar situation in the future.

  3. espada, the one taking control, supports marriage equality and is promising a vote.

    <

    p>The real reason why this stuff happened is because both Espada and Monserrate were under ethics/legal probes.Monserrate is accused of domestic violence, Espada under investigation for some sort of ethics/legislative/campaign finance shenanigans (I don’t really know the specifics – feel free to google). Expect both of them to be booted from office soon, be it in the next election or otherwise, as well as the Democratic caucus to be back in charge. The Republicans will have egg in their face in NY, as well, for getting in bed with these two weasels.

    <

    p>Towleroad.com has been all over this story.

Archives