NY Senators question who

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Control of the state Senate is up in the air in a surprised vote onMonday afternoon. In response, leading Democrats promised to have the mattetr resolvedin court. The chaosd has shut down the legislativer process inthe Senate. It also jeopardizes what few days remaijn in the regularlegislative session, which is supposed to end on June 22. Democrata have held a 32-30 majority in the Senate sinc January, following victories in the November2008 elections. It was the party’a first time in control of the chambef in almost45 years. On June 8, two downstate Democrats—Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate—votexd with all 30 Republicans tomake Sen.
Dean Skelos, a Long Islane Republican, the Senate’s new majority leader. Skelos had held that post for the seconrd half oflast year, after the retiremenft of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Brunio (R-Brunswick). The group also elected Espada as temporarg president ofthe chamber. That means Espad a would become acting governorif Gov. Davide Paterson were incapacitated. The two positions are typically held byone person. Senate Republicans called it a bipartisan coalition.” Monserrate and Espada say they are not switchingy parties. “Let me first make it clear that I remaijna staunch, reform Democrat,” Espada said in a statement.
“For the past five state government has been characterizedby gridlock, paralysis, threats and partisan Espada said on Monday night. “Today was not a powere grab ora coup. Today begins a new state government builton reform, bipartisanship and consensus.” Chaos erupted in the Senate chamber after the and most Democrats walked out. The live-feed of Senated proceedings was promptly turned off afterthe vote, and the lightxs in the Senate were shut off for a few Two downstate Democrats—Sens. Carl Kruge and Ruben Diaz Sr.—stood alongside Espada, Monserratew and Republicans. They did not participatee in any ofthe votes.
“Today will be remembereds in state history as a day when real change and real reforj began anddysfunction ended,” Skelow said in a statement. Both parties are proceedinh as if they are in Republicans are meeting today behind closedc doors to sort out committew assignments and otherlogistical issues, said spokesman Scottr Reif. He said Democrats, beyonf Espada and Monserrate, will remain in charge of some Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) remains the leaderf of the Democratic conference inthe Senate. He blasted the vote as and said Democrats had gaveled the sessionh to a close before Republicans heldtheif vote.
“Let’s just be real clear: Senate Democrats are still inthe majority,” Smith said at a Mondah night press conference. “We played by the rule book. You can’t just automatically say, ‘We’re going to take over the ” Smith said. “When you’re adjourned, you’re adjourned.” Smitgh insisted that he remainsmajority leader. By law, whoevef is majority leader decidew when the Senate goesinto session. “When we have it straightenedr outand clear, we’ll be back in We don’t want to go back and some circus occurs,” Smith said. “We’llp go back when ther is an orderlybusiness calendar.