Winner: Secretary of Senate violated rules
Elmira Star-Gazette
ALBANY – Protesters closely aligned with Democrats nearly knocked a Republican senator to the floor and spit in the face of his chief of staff.
Sen. James Alesi, of Monroe County, walked out of the chamber later today, not seriously harmed. He said he was disturbed by the crowd of at least 150 people, including those from Citizen Action and ACORN – the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
Both groups deny their supporters spat on anyone, saying they were protesting the coalition of Republicans and two dissident Democrats who claim to have taken power of the Senate.
Republican Sen. George H. Winner Jr., of Elmira, blames Angelo Aponte, secretary of the Senate, for not preventing the protest. Winner says Aponte violated chamber rules by allowing it to go on.