New York Senate back in GOP control..........

The 2008 elections provided one major annoyance to the state of New York : Democrats won the New York Senate for the first time in decades, controlling all three levels of government in New York state, the Democrats nearly survived a "gang of four" coup in the early part of the year, it appears the Republicans have won back the Senate - via another coup.

It appears, Republican Senator Tom Libous launched a resolution to affirm the Republicans back into power, and all thirty Republicans & two Democrats voted along, which has replaced the Senate back into GOP control. Democrats claim this move is illegal, but the move earlier this year - which would have voted Republicans the leadership then - was not illegal.

Interesting.

The two Democrats both have very criminal backgrounds, and could both lose their Senate positions within the next year- perhaps some ill-will towards the Democrats led to this parliamentary coup which Democrats are claiming to be illegal.

I have overlooked the New York Constitution & the New York Senate's rules, and this does not appear to be illegal, in fact I can find little on how New York Senate elections within the chambers are suppose to occur. I 100% believe that unless a Democrat changes his affiliation - the New York Senate should have 32 Democrats, and 30 elected Republicans, however - an elected official should be allowed to vote for whomever he wants to be the majority power in the Senate or Assembly.

So as of now : This is 100% legal, and we have retaken the New York Senate for the time being. I am 100% pleased with this news, although we have to remember the two Specter's of the Democrat side - are like Specter Democrats, so on most votes - we will still be in the minority. Overall, this is good news for New York state.

Article on Republican takeover.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/08/politics/main5073657.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_5073657

Via Senator Seward's page, the new rules of the Senate include :

Temporary President
• The Temporary President of the Senate presides in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor. He is subject to a term limit of 6 years.
• Appoints the Vice President of Urban Policy and Planning.
• Appoints officers and employees of the Senate, subject to the disapproval of the Vice President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader (VPPT). Appoints Vice Chair of Rules.
• Appoints the Legislative Librarian.
• Represents the Senate in any legal action.
• Ensures the use of electronic media to provide access to Senate documents and proceedings.
• Jointly, with the VPPT, appoints the chairs of all standing committees and commissions and the members of all committees and commissions.
• Jointly, with the VPPT, designates appointments to all boards, commissions, task forces, etc. to which the Temporary President has appointing authority.

Vice President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader
• If the TP does not preside, the VPPT is the presiding officer, or may designate another to serve for him. Also subject to a 6 year term limit.
• Chairs the Rules Committee, or may designate another as Chair.
• Appoints Senate Leadership positions, and jointly appoints the membership to committees.
• Coordinates Majority conference and all functions and operations of the Senate.
• Appoints officers and employees of the Senate, subject to the disapproval of the TP.
• Exercises general control over Senate property, in consultation with the TP.
• Designates persons with access to the floor, jointly with the TP.

Rules Reforms
• The Senate shall be administered in a fair, equitable and nonpartisan manner.
• Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to 8 years.
• Committee membership will be proportional to membership in the Senate as a whole. Minority representation shall not be less than 33% on any committee. (Eff. 7/15/09).
• Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.
• Eliminates “aye without recommendation” members must either vote nay or aye on a bill, unless they abstain due to a pecuniary interest.
• All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate Website; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010 to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for Congress.
• No bill may be introduced without a named Senate sponsor.

Administrative Reforms
• All members will have access to the resources and services of the Senate: supplies, print and media production, administrative services, and mailing.
• District office allocations are based on the geographic area; larger districts will be allowed a satellite office(s) to meet the needs of their constituents.
• All members will receive the same base allocation for staffing.
• Committees and Leadership will receive an allocation for staffing pursuant to a resolution which will detail the amounts allocated for each committee or position. Amounts shall be proportional among majority and minority members to representation in the Senate as a whole, but in no event shall it be less than 33% for the Minority.
• Central Staff funding shall be allocated on a proportional basis, but in no event less than 33% of the funds shall be allocated to the minority. Staff necessary to the functions of the Senate are not to be included in the proportional distribution.
• Member items will be divided evenly.

Procedural Reforms
• A non-sponsor amendment if successful will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee.
• Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.
• A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have his or her bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.
• A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be put to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.
• All procedural votes require only a majority of members present and voting, rather than members elected.
• Debate may exceed 4 hours on budget bills, any bill considered pursuant to a message of necessity, or those which appropriate money.

In summary : This is awesome news for New Yorkers, as Republicans have established much needed reforms to the New York Senate, and have established a true check & balance of power in New York state, with the newly minted coalition which is very uncommon in the United States, then again the Alaska Senate has the exact same setup (10 Republicans & 10 Democrats, 3 Republicans formed a coalition with the Democrats).

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