New York State Senate Showdown...Democrats Stage A Coup UPDATE: Session Starts, Nothing Happens UPDATE x2 Patterson Is An Idiot

I haven't used the word 'coup' for what the Republicans did just over two weeks ago, since they did it with a majority of votes.

This however? This is a coup.

In a surprise move, Democrats filed into the Senate chamber this afternoon and took control of the rostrum for the first time since June 8, when a historic Republican-backed coup seemingly broke their majority.

The 31 senators took their seats and put Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins (D-Yonkers) on the podium. The press was blocked from entering and watched events unfold through windows.

Right now the Senate is deadlocked at 31 but the last time leadership was voted on it was done with a majority of 32. I don't see how 31 overrules 32.

Now the Republicans tried to hold session last week but when they held a quorum call they only had 31 votes and could not transact any business, the Democrats are in the same position.

What it seems the Democrats are trying to do is take possession of the chamber. The Governor has exercised his constitutional authority and called a Special Session for 3:00, the Republicans then called one for 2:00. Democrats are trying to beat them to the punch as to who physically holds the gavel.

UPDATE: Session has started. Sort of. They did the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance (I think) and now there's a Democrat in the chair but nothing is happening.

UPDATE 2: The Democratic leader who says he's in charge just announced that they aren't doing anything because Paterson hasn't set up the bills he wants acted on.

He's the one who called this farce and doesn't have the bills ready?

Related...the Senate Sergent at Arms physically blocked the Republican from taking the chair so the Republic 'presided' from the well with a Democrat looking over him from the chair.

No, there are no grown ups in NYS government. Thanks for asking.
I don't know how this will end but I have my hopes....

posted by DrewM. at 12:56 PM

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