New York Senate Seeks to Persuade us all about the joys of dictatorship

[Faeelin]

Senate forced to convene after court decision

Posted: June 30, 2009 02:10 PM EDT

Updated: June 30, 2009 05:54 PM EDT





A court decision that came down shortly before 5:00pm Tuesday, has solidified that Senators were not done Tuesday. An appellate court decided that Governor Paterson's request for an automatic stay - while Republicans appealed the decision that would force them into session -was granted.

Senate Democrats and Republicans finally met in session together Tuesday morning, the first time that has happened since the coup more than three weeks ago.

The reunion was short lived, however, and it resulted in the calling of a second special session later in the day, this one at 7:00pm.

Even with a midnight deadline looming on a number of important bills, and a threat by Governor Paterson to impose a working holiday, lawmakers still are not passing bills.

"i think the people of this state have had enough. They are tired of the political games..."

The Governor was joined by public officials from around the state during a 12:30pm press conference. Those officials are waiting for the Senate to take action on bills that will directly affect their local budgets.   

Paterson threatened Senators, despite Tuesday morning's special session, where all 62 of the senators, Republicans and Democrats, finally came together in the chamber. At first, only the Democrats took their seats. The Republicans then made a surprise entrance, even though they had gotten a judge to delay another judge's order that both sides should come together.

However, the GOP made it clear they did not recognize the Democrat at the rostrum as being in charge.

"Normally the presiding officer is referred to as the 'President'," said leading Republican Senator Dean Skelos, "I cannot do that because we do not believe that you are appropriately standing there as presiding officer."

Democrats, of course, disagreed.

Senators then adjourned again without doing anything, prompting the Governor to call the 7:00pm session.

"I suggest every member of the Senate had better be there," he demanded.

During the afternoon session, a soda became part of the controversy.

Before his demand for the 7:00pm session, an excited Paterson told the media that a Republican Senator had finally caved and had just entered the senate chamber, thereby giving the Democrats a quorum.

This brought in a round of applause, but only ten minutes later, the Governor was informed during the conference that it was a false alarm.

The Senator in question, Queens Republican Frank Padavan said the Senate lobby was crowded, so he took a short-cut through the back of the chamber in order to reach a lounge where members can get free soft-drinks. That's when the Democrats seized on his presence and counted him in their quorum.
Democrats continued to pass bills as Republicans predictably blasted the Padavan soft-drink gambit

Paterson said, "Once again, the do-nothing Senate has exceeded our greatest fears."

The Governor threatened to keep calling special sessions, even on Saturday, the Fourth of July.

Dissident Democrat Pedro Espada said he sees no problem in that and claimed that he and his allied Republicans will be returning to Albany for "as long as it takes".

Joining the Governor at his press conference was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He was in New York City, but was on a teleconference.

Bloomberg didn't pull any punches, saying the state Senate needs to act on behalf of the people.

"Come the next election, we're going to be asking, did you stand up for our children, did you take action, did you realize that the cities and counties in the state need to continue to provide the essential services that makes our state what it is?" Bloomberg posed.

The one bill that bloomberg is specifically calling for is a renewal of mayoral control of New York City schools.

http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=10619744

[Valmy]

The Senators get free soft drinks? 

[Vince]

The Senators get free soft drinks? 

Maybe they should enact rules like the old papal conclaves.  Lock the Senate in a room with rationed food until they pass all the bills in limbo. 

[The Brain]

Maybe young Padavan should stay off the soft drinks.

[citizen k]

Did a second grader write that article? I stopped reading after the line,"even though they had gotten a judge to delay".

[Sophie Scholl]

I wish we had a dictatorship in New York, at least something might get accomplished.  It's not like the corruption and inefficiency could increase.  The only thing the they've ever been able to do in a timely manner is pass bills to raise their salaries and stipends as well as make sure they leave exactly on time if not sooner to go on vacations and holidays.

[jimmy olsen]

I wish we had a dictatorship in New York, at least something might get accomplished.  It's not like the corruption and inefficiency could increase. 

Dictatorships the world over suggest otherwise.

[Sophie Scholl]

Not compared to New York.  I'll take my chances with Mugabe.

[jimmy olsen]

Not compared to New York.  I'll take my chances with Mugabe.

You chose poorly.

[Sophie Scholl]

Really?  You already know?  Tim-strodamus, make me a map and I'll believe you.

[Phillip V]

State Senators are getting their pay withheld for now. They make $80k/yr plus other perks. I did not know they made that kind of money. Messed up. Time for me to re-evaluate taking on such a job.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/comptroller-withholding-senates-pay/