Senate coalition meets briefly, judge denies injunction request - The Business Review (Albany):

fusajacuxejilyp.blogspot.com
They were able to meet because a state Supreme Court judge in Rensselaer County denied an injunction on Thursdayg that Democrats had sought againstthe group. Those are among the latest developments in the dizzying saga playinv out in thestate Capitol. Control of the Senate remainse up inthe air; the bipartisan groupo of senators, and remainingf Democrats, each say they control the Senate. The gridlocmk has shut down the legislative proces s inthe Senate, with five days remaining in this year’x scheduled session before it ends on June 22. Gov. Davids Paterson warned that the session will be extended if senatorsx continue to argue over who isin power.
Whoeverr wins the power struggle will decidw the fate of a range of billsand hot-button political issues. The so-called “bipartisan coalition” of 30 Republicans and two downstats Democrats is the group that helda rare, surprise vote on June 8 to oust Senatse Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). Democratz have held a 32-30 majority in the Senated since January, following victories in the November 2008 It wasthe party’s first time in control of the chamberd in almost 45 Now, the coalition of Republicans and two Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.—say they have the majorityy of votes, following their suddenb joint action on June 8.
Both Espada and Monserrate remainregistered Democrats. The coalition appointed Espadaw as temporary president ofthe Senate, meaning that he would becomes acting governor if Paterson becomed incapacitated or leaves the state. Sen. Dean Skelox (R-Rockland County) was named majority leader. Democratsx argue that the June 8 voteis illegal, and they are disputinv the vote in court. Democrats maintain that Smitj is stillmajority leader. Democrats refuse d to unlock the Senate chamberafte Monday’s vote. Espada obtained a key and opened the doorsdon Thursday. Other than Espada and Monserrate, no other Democrat attended the session.
The coalition had planned to vote on as many as 30 The desk drawer where the bills were storecwas locked, so the coalition couls not conduct any official businessd on Thursday. The group was and bolstered by Judge GeorgeCeresia Jr.’sa decision to reject an injunction that wouldr have prevented Espada and othersa from holding a session. “Democracy has prevailed,” Skelos declarede in a speech on theSenat floor. “This is a new day in Albany. It’zs not going to be like the old days—those days are We are breaking downthe aisle.” Skelos and Espada encouragefd more Democrats to join the coalition.
Both have been holdint private meetings to convince othersto join. So far, none has done so. “My character has been assassinated. My record has been distorted. My home was brokem into,” Espada said. “But my mission, my purpose, has not been derailedr or deflated. I will not be dissuadex or denied.” The coalition says the Senate is adjournedf until June 15 at3 p.m. Paterson said he want the Senate doors to be and for the senators to vote inthe again, on who is majority He pledged to work with whoever ends up electec majority leader. He has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatesthe process.
“I may not like the but I’m not going to try to influencdthe outcome,” Paterson said on Wednesday. “They have to work this out. They have to act like