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Some updates gathered from two sources–Daily Politics blog and Capitol Confidential blog:
The judge dismissed the case the Democrats brought against the 32-30 Republican coalition vote last week. The Democrats and Republicans see that as meaning different things. The Democrats will not appeal the ruling, the Democrats just think the ruling means that the court will not intervene, and the parties should work it out.
The Republicans tried to hold a session today. But, they could not get quorum because the Democrats would not show up.
The Republicans are trying to say that the Democrats must show up because they are being paid to do the people’s business. (I think blocking the Republican coup is good work.)
The Democrats are saying that they will not attend a session (thus making quorum) until it is called by Malcolm Smith. And, Malcolm Smith will not call a session until there is a power-sharing agreement.
Governor Paterson has suggested and offered that they hold a leaderless session, with an independent presideing officer (such as a judge.)
Governor Paterson feels one solution to some of these problems is that he could serve as the “Lt. Governor”, in this odd situation, where there is not really a Lt. Governor.
People are bragging that the NY State Assembly is getting work done. (But, heck, I say the Assembly is doing what they have done for decades — passing nice, shiny bills and doing work to make them look good, knowing that it amounts to nothing because it will not get passed in the NY State Senate. I see nothing commendable about that.)
One complaint about the coup stopping work is that the State Senate is holding up “revenue enhancers” for localities. That means that the state government authorizes the local government to collect extra sales tax. (I am thinking it is probably a good thing for working people to NOT have these approvals to collect extra sales tax.)
Filed under: New York State Politics, News Tagged: | David Paterson, Government, Governor Paterson, NY, State Assembly, State Senate, taxes
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