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Frid. June 12th, late morning: Judge tells both sides to work it out, court date set for Monday before Republican Coalition scheduled to meet. Story and links: here.
Thurs. June 11th, late morning: As per Daily Politics blog, the Republicans got inside the chamber, made speeches, did not vote on anything and left. Also, I believe that the Times Union blog, Capitol Confidential, has been off line this morning. (6/12/09: Capitol Confidential now seems to be on line. They did report they had virus problems earlier.)
Thurs. June 11th, morning update at Times Union is: here.
Wed. June 10th, 3:30pm update at wilderside is: here.
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Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News watches Albany like a hawk. If you missed the live action of the State Senate takeover, you can catch it in vibrant technicolor with Benjamin’s updates, crossouts, video links, and ongoing analysis. A must read!
(excerpt from) The Daily Politics/Daily News blog
Smith: I’m Still Leader, Monserrate: I’m Still A Democrat
Elizabeth Benjamin / June 8, 2009
Sen. Malcolm Smith’s office just issued a press release deeming today’s takeover by the Senate Republicans that appears to have dumped him from his leadership post “illegal” and insisting that he’s still in control.
From the majority press office in exile, attributed to Smith’s spokesman, Austin Shafran:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, whose defection – along with his fellow amgio, Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. – enabled the Republicans to coup Smith, issued this statement:
“I am a life-long Democrat and remain a loyal Democrat. After today’s proceedings, I am proud to form a bi-partisan coalition that has elected the first Latino President pro Tem of the New York State Senate, my colleague, the Honorable Pedro Espada Jr. We look forward to conferencing with fellow Democrats to ensure that real reforms become a reality in the State of New York.”
When last I checked, the Senate Republicans were about to have a press conference with the once-and-future (?) Majority Leader Dean Skelos, President Pro Tempore (?) Espada and the man who reportedly was the mastermind behind this whole thing: Tom Golisano, did it all in the name of reform, I’m told…
At this point, it’s all kind of a mess.
Video of the coup (with lights going out in Senate chamber):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSYfohkHGbU]
Democrat Senators stage walk-out
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdsKid0f6E]
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Related Story from wilderside (with video):
Top Ten Reasons To Like Third Parties (as an alternative to these two teams of fools deliberating behind closed doors)
Filed under: New York State Politics, News, politics, video Tagged: | Albany, Hiram Monserrate, Malcolm Smith, Monserrate, NY State Senate, Pedro Espada, video
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