Citizen Action of New York News

Examiner.com – New York

http://www.examiner.com/x-6452-NY-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m6d11-Inside-the-Albany-coup-part-II

Earlier today State Republicans, along with rogue Democrats Pedro Espada Jr. and Sen. Hiram Monserrate attempted to hold the first state senate session since the coup this past Monday. The session was shortlived, however because Monserrate of Jackson Heights Queens left almost immediately, stating that he was looking to bring in more Democrats to the meeting. He later stated that he would vote “no” on all of the new proposals brought by Skelos until the Democratic electeds returned to the halls of Albany. To further complicate any matters for those present in the chambers, Democratic members allegedly had hidden all of the bills and other paper work needed to get any work done.

Meanwhile Malcolm Smith and twenty Democratic representatives spent the day in court after the former majority leader filed a lawsuit earlier in the week, claiming the take-over was illegal. The judge denied the claims and allowed the sessions to move forward. The case will now move to the State Supreme court tomorrow at 9:15am. David Patterson is expected watch the outcome closely. The Democrats did receive two minor victories, however. A Kingston Appellate Division judge issued a temporary restraining order that will prevent Senator Espada from becoming president of the Senate until a decision is handed down possibly as early as Friday, according to James T. Madore of News Day.

There are now also signs that Hiram Monserrate may be considering voting with his own party and caucus with the Democrats. Such a move would create even more chaos in the final two weeks of the Senate’s normal operating period.   As a side note, Pedro Espada claims that his home was broken into by protestors who were angry over his role in the coup.

State Republicans were met in the morning by protesters from the group Citizen Action, among others. The crowd chanted “Voters Not Donors” while holding signs, some of which said, “Senate Not For Sale”. In Rochester the offices of Paychex, which is owned billionaire Tom Golisano, also was also the site of protests.  Golisano, who broke with the Democratic body after he felt betrayed by the tax hikes on the State’s wealthiest, has since backed Espada and the Republicans and may be responsible for orchestrating the takeover. The groups Citizen Action stated that,  “Today we sent a strong message that a billionaire’s political power grab will not silence the people’s reform agenda – legislation that would create affordable health care and housing, environmental protections, marriage equality, and public financing of elections.” Citizen Action, along with other groups like Tenant Pac, are expected to flood the telephone lines in order to get Democrats out to the voting booths in November. Friday, the group Community Association for Safe Apartments will hold a rally in front of Pedro Espada’s empty district office in the Bronx. For those who wish to attend, the address is  400 E. Fordham Road, at Webster Ave.  The rally starts at 11:30Am.

As this unholy dance continues, legislation which would preserve rent stabilization and a move closer to home rule for New York City now sits in Limbo. Pedro Espada Jr’s Bronx district is made up largely of rent stabilized tenants, which should raise more than a few eyebrows when considering the fact that Republicans, who receive more landlord funding than most Democrats, are often hostile to rent regulation itself. Espada’s decision to sell his own constituents up the river came after Senate Democrats denied earmarks to two organizations connected to Espada, either directly or by proxy. As I wrote in a previous report, the first organization “Green ECO Energy Incorporated” is run by Daniel Pagano who works part time as Espada’s lawyer. The center also shares the same address as Espada’s political action committee and the home of Dr. David C. Collymore, who works as the medical director at the Soundview center, which was found by Espada.

In short, the Senator was trying to strong-arm members of his own party to fund groups that directly benefit Espada – or he was going to sell those who voted for him and his own party up the river. There’s a name for any entity operating in this fashion, it’s called a rogue. When one also considers the fact that Espada is under investigation for questionable election funding practices which brought Soundview Center under Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s scrutiny, it maybe time to consider the recalling of Pedro Espada. Even those in his district, according to people I’ve talked to, are disgusted with the state Senator and would have preferred to vote for someone else.

Until next time….

WIVB Channel 4

Buffalo, NY

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/political_theatre_plays_out_in_albany_090611

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Senate showdown got physical and very loud Thursday in the state capitol. Neither side is budging, no work is getting done and now a court may have to step in to clean up the mess of our elected leaders.

So where do we go from here?

The new coalition has been put on “hold.”

Friday, a five-judge panel will consider the issue of who controls the State Senate.

Thursday, Tom Golisano told reporters why he got involved in the struggle for power.

Protesters staged a noisy demonstration outside the State Senate chambers, shouting the Senate’s “not for sale.” Critics say Golisano, who once ran for governor and now owns the Buffalo Sabres, made a deal with two Democrats to stage a coup.

Golisano, who made an appearance in Buffalo, proudly says he got involved after the so-called three men in the room controlled the budget process and came up with a budget he couldn’t stomach.

Golisano said, “We decided after watching that about six to eight weeks ago, that we’re going to revert back and try and do something.”

Ellen Kennedy of Citizen Action of New York said, “We’re outraged that someone can buy out our votes just because he’s a billionaire.”

A coalition of leaders against the coup accused Golisano of using his money to manipulate the system.

Edwin Martinez of the Hispanic Alliance said, “Basically take away the voter’s rights by buying these two senators.”

Golisano said, “There’s nothing in it for me, other than the fact that I was born and raised here, created a very successful business organization, and I care about the people and the status of the state.”

The new coalition would be more favorable to upstate interests, according to Senator Dale Volker.

Senator Volker said, “They’re aligned with Republicans primarily from upstate and Long Island, so we now have a fighting chance to get some decent help.”

But others say ensuing court battles and dissension threaten to tie-up the State Senate.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said, “If only one house is operational, it means that there’s a lot of legislation that might not get acted on.”

But the two rogue Democrats say a new coaltion must replace the old way of doing things.

Senator Hiram Monseratte said, “Reforms that we have laid out in a very approriate manner that deal with decades and decades of disfunction and unfairness in this house.”

The shake-up comes in the final two weeks of the legislative session. U.B. 20/20 and $250 million dollars of Buffalo school construction work still need approval.

Assemblyman Hoyt is proposing the session be extended beyond June 22nd if necessary.

Newsday

Long Island, NY

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stcoup1212871344jun11,0,6949172.story

ALBANY – State Sen. Hiram Monserrate blocked action from being taken in the Senate Thursday by announcing that he would oppose all legislation until more Democrats join the new majority coalition.

The Jackson Heights Democrat also wouldn’t recommit to reporters that he supported Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) to be the majority leader. On Monday, Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr. (D-Bronx) had joined with 30 Republicans to take over the Senate and installed Espada and Skelos as co-chiefs.

Monserrate’s pledge to vote “no” on all bills creates a 31-31 tie with no lieutenant governor to cast the deciding vote.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker ousted by the coalition, Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), won a restraining order last night from a state Appellate Division judge in Kingston that bars Espada from serving as Senate temporary president in some instances until a court hearing this morning. Both sides were expected in State Supreme Court in Albany seeking a judgment on the rightful Senate leader.

Earlier Thursday, a State Supreme Court judge in Troy refused Smith’s request to stop the new majority from convening a session. Minutes later, Skelos led Republicans to the Senate chamber through about 100 jeering protesters from Citizen Action and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

Espada met Skelos at the locked chamber door, opening it with a key that Democrats said Espada shouldn’t have had. However, the pair didn’t have a key for the drawer where bills are kept, so no votes could be taken.

But Monserrate said he would not have voted with the coalition on bills anyway because other Democratic senators had not joined the group.

As Monserrate spoke to the half-empty chamber, protesters pounded on gallery windows.

Later, he told reporters that more Democrats were needed to legitimize the new majority. “You can’t have a coalition government with two Democrats and 30 Republicans. . . . My role is to ensure the Democratic Party is here at the table,” he said.

Espada expressed confidence in Monserrate, who is under intense pressure from unions and others to rejoin the Smith camp.

Espada also said he wanted to encourage Democrats to return to the chamber by bringing the gay marriage bill to a vote. “As I get the same-sex marriage bill on the floor, they’ll take their seats, they’ll debate it,” he said.

But Skelos, who opposes same-sex marriage, was skeptical. “If there’s a conscious decision, at least for now, not to come to the chamber, I don’t believe that bill is necessarily going to get them there,” he told Newsday.

The new majority adjourned yesterday’s session after 30 minutes and said it would reconvene on Monday at 3 p.m.

Responding to the chaos, Gov. David A. Paterson warned that he would compel lawmakers to return to Albany after the June 22 scheduled close of the legislative session. “There are critical issues that need to be addressed,” he said, referring to property tax relief, ethics reform and limits on state spending.

WIVB Channel 4

Buffalo, NY

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/political_chaos_continues_in_albany_090611

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) – The political chaos continues in Albany. A state judge is refusing to stop the Republican take over of the State Senate, but it is not over yet.

“Senate Not For Sale” chanted lobbyists as the new majority leaders made their way to open the Senate chambers and hold session for the first time since a surprise majority shift.

A Senate speaker said, “Senator Lippes, a quorum is present.”

There was barely a quorum, 32 members, and only for 19 minutes. One of the two renegade Democrats, Hiram Monseratte was unwilling to cast any votes.

Senator Monseratte said, “I am not a Republican, I am a Democrat, but more importantly, I am a New York State Senator with an obligation to work for the people of the State of New York. I am here because of that obligation, because I believe this session should continue.”

The session could not continue when Monseratte left.

“Voters Not Donors” was the chant in the halls of the Capitol, and also the message in

Downtown Buffalo Thursday as members of Citizen Action protested billionaire Tom Golisano’s role in the surprise majority shift.

Ellen Kennedy of Citizen Action of New York said, “Gollisano didn’t like what the Legislature did about fair taxes, so he uses the power of money to change the Senate to his liking.”

But hours after the protest, Golisano spoke at HSBC Arena, urging people to remember what the new Majority already changed on Monday, while Senate Democrats went to court

Thursday morning and Senate Republicans held a brief session in Albany.

Members of Citizen Action and even a local Labor representative blasted Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano for his role in overthrowing the Democratic Senate Majority just days before the session ended.

They believe he was trying to avoid passage of a campaign finance reform bill.

He said hours later speaking at HSBC Arena that he was simply disappointed by the

Democratic Majority, “Malcolm Smith made a commitment to me before he was elected to office that he would work on fiscal restraint, that they would put forth some of the reforms, that they would go after property taxes, campaign finance reform. Well, he was in office for a little over five months, and nothing happened. So, we decided after watching, that six or eight weeks ago, that we were gonna revert back and try to do something.”

There was a brief Senate session Thursday, but there were no votes.

Those challenging the new majority go back to court Friday morning, and the Republicans have scheduled the next Senate session for Monday afternoon.

Elmira Star-Gazette

http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090611/NEWS01/90611036/Winner++Secretary+of+Senate+violated+rules

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.

WXXI

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxxi/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1517033/WXXI.Top.Stories/Senate.Stand.Off.Continues..as.Coalition.Falters.

ALBANY, NEW YORK (WXXI) – The Senate coalition of thirty Republicans and two Democrats forced their way through an angry mob into the Senate chamber Thursday, and held a brief meeting. The remaining Democrats, who tried unsuccessfully to obtain a court order to stop the proceedings, called it a mockery and a sham.

It was a near- riot, as the 32 Senators had to shove their way through protesters, chanting “the Senate’s not for sale” to enter the chamber for the first time since the coup on Monday. The protesters were organized by Citizen Action and ACORN. Coup leaders Senators Pedro Espada and Dean Skelos said they could not say where they had obtained the key to open the Senate doors, but Democrats say they did not hand it over.

Once inside, the Senators did not act on any bills, as they had promised to do. They discovered that a cabinet containing the necessary documents was locked, and they did not have that key.

They did begin with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance, and made a few speeches. One of the two democrats in the coalition, Senator Hiram Monserrate, who rose first, appeared to still be wavering in his commitment to the coalition.

“This chamber must not remain divided,” said Monserrate. “So I’m going to excuse myself.”

Monserrate then left. Afterward, he said he was seeking more Democrats to join in.

“You can’t have a coalition government with two Democrats and thirty Republicans,” Monserrate said. “It’s just not reality.”

Senator Monserrate said he was firmly behind Senator Espada, who was elected President Pro Temp by 32 Senators on Monday, but would not say whether he backed Republican Dean Skelos, who was elected Senate Majority Leader in that session.

Senator Espada says other Democrats are awaiting the outcome of a court challenge by the remaining democrats, before they decide whether to defect and join in the coalition.

And though Monserrate appeared to be trying to remain neutral in the dispute, Espada says he’s not going back.

“My engines will never be in reverse,” said Espada, “I’m moving forward.”

There was no sign of the 30 remaining Democrats in the Senate, including Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith, who hasn’t been seen in public since Monday. But a spokesman for Smith, Travis Proulx, says the session was a sham.

“It was a mock session,” said Proulx. “It was a disgusting display of political gamesmanship.”

The thirty Republicans plus two democrats say they intend to hold session again Monday, and actually pass some bills. Senator Espada says he may put a measure to legalize same sex marriage on the floor, and dare the rest of the Democrats, many of whom are strong supporters of the measure, to stay away then.

But those plans may now be on hold- late in the day the Democrats sought a temporary restraining order on any further Senate proceedings from a mid level appeals court- and won an injunction against Senator Espada acting as Temporary President of the Senate. Republicans insist that doesn’t mean that their session will have to be canceled.

WNYC

Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that it was a near riot in the State Senate chamber in Albany today when Senators Pedro Espada and Dean Skelos finally reconvened under the new Senate leadership. Dewitt says protesters with Citizen Action and other groups showed up, and they were pushing and shoving each other and some senators as people clamored to get into the chamber.

“Finally, all of the senators and some of the press, including me, got into the Senate chamber and they found they couldn’t actually act on the list of bills that they had prepared for session, because they need these covers called the bill jackets, in order to formally act on the bills. The bill jackets were locked up in a cabinet and they did not have the key to that cabinet.”

“So Hiram Monserrate then got up to speak and appeared to be on the fence. He came in with them, so they had 32 members, two Democrats and 30 Republicans, but he seemed to say that he wants more Democrats to join and seems to be a little uncomfortable with the present set up. He said he wasn’t going to vote on any bills and he left.”

Monserrate left without saying if he supported Senator Skelos as Republican majority leader. In his comments, Skelos said the takeover will mean a more effective legislature.

“We’re going to have open debate in committees. We’re going to have public debates right here on the Senate floor and bills are going to pass or fail based on what 62 members want to do and how they vote.”

Meanwhile, a judge rejected Democratic leader Senator Malcolm Smith’s request to block the session, although another hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.

Speaking on the Brian Lehrer Show this morning, Governor Paterson did not sound certain that his party would prevail.

“Power has been changed in legislative bodies for centuries. As a matter of fact, just a few years ago the U.S. Senate changed leadership in the middle of a session.”

But Paterson also says that as more people voted for the Democratic party last November, it would be misleading and disloyal for lawmakers to switch party allegiance after they’re voted into office.

Legislative Gazette

http://www.legislativegazette.com/day_item.php?item=987

“We are here today to oppose Senator Skelos and the Republicans going into session. As citizens of New York and United States we cannot let New York turn from a democracy into an oligarchy overnight. This is a crisis and attack on the values we hold dearest.”

“New Yorkers voted in November for an end to Republican rule and an end to decades of a State Senate working in the interest of the wealthiest New Yorkers. Now a billionaire is trying to bring them back to do his bidding. We want a democracy not an oligarchy.”

“New Yorkers are protesting today in Rochester in front of Paychex, and in Buffalo, and here at the Capitol, demanding our democracy back. Tom Golisano moved to Florida to avoid paying his fair share of New York State taxes, and now he wants to run the state. New Yorkers who work hard every day for their paycheck, pay their fair share, and cast their votes on Election Day deserve a State Senate that will work for them.”

LoHud.com

http://lohud.com/article/20090611/NEWS05/906110426

Senate Republicans met with Tom Golisano in Rochester in early May with hopes of luring him to run for governor again next year. Instead, they walked away with a framework to win back control of the state Senate.

Golisano and senators involved in the discussions say they first talked about whether Golisano would be interested in making a fourth run for governor – on the GOP line.

But when Golisano said he planned to move to Florida, which would rule out a statewide run, the focus turned to how to rebuild upstate New York. He also talked about his dissatisfaction with Senate Democrats, whom he backed financially last year in their bid to win control of the chamber.

“We were interested in seeing him run for governor,” recalled Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, who met with Golisano along with Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, and Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane. “He got talking about reform and kept talking about upstate New York. He said, ‘Tom, upstate New York is getting nothing now. This group of three and this Senate, they don’t care about upstate.’ ”

On Monday, five weeks later, Golisano stood in the Senate chambers watching Senate Republicans and two Democrats wrestle control from Democrats.

The Paychex Inc. founder ran for governor three times on the Independence Party line, spending about $100 million.

But Golisano’s influence on state politics may have been greatest this week, when he helped guide the coup that overthrew the Senate majority.

“It’s ironic that he turns out to be far more effective as a political insider than he did as a candidate,” said Roger Stone, who has advised Golisano on his political campaigns.

Golisano gained headlines this week, when he said he met with Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, in Albany in late March and Smith spent the session “playing on his BlackBerry.”

A few weeks later, Golisano came to Albany again to complain about the state budget, which increased spending and raised income taxes on the wealthy. But Smith didn’t meet with him, instead sending Secretary of the Senate Angelo Aponte.

“I saw a level of incompetence that I was uncomfortable with,” Golisano said.

Golisano said the meetings were only part of what drove him to push for a new Senate majority.

He said he thinks Senate Democrats didn’t show fiscal discipline and enact the reforms they said they would when they were elected.

But Golisano’s influence has drawn criticism from good-government groups and Democrats, who said the billionaire owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team is using his money to control government.

His aide, Steve Pigeon, former Erie County Democratic chairman, is being assailed for his role in the coup, with questions about whether Pigeon now will go to work for Democratic dissident Sen. Pedro Espada of the Bronx.

Phil Schaefer, a retired pastor in Monroe County, saw Golisano in the Capitol this week and said he yelled to him: “If you’re going to move out of New York state, you shouldn’t be trying to run our politics.”

During a rally Tuesday, the group Citizen Action led the chant: “Golisano Pays and Espada Plays.”

Gov. David Paterson took a swipe at Golisano yesterday, questioning whether the BlackBerry incident with Smith was reason to overthrow the Senate majority.

“If that’s true, that’s certainly rude, but that’s a reason to change the Senate? Give me a break,” Paterson said.

Senate Democrats have asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to look into any possible wrongdoing between Golisano and Espada in getting Espada to flip his support.

But Golisano reiterated that he offered nothing to Espada and fellow Democratic Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens, who also joined with the Senate Republicans. Golisano’s political action committee, Responsible New York, pumped more than $4 million into races last year to help Democrats win the majority.

“The senators that will go for the reform issues and the fiscal conservatism are going to get Responsible New York’s support,” Golisano said.

Golisano said he’s not out for a power grab, but he’s about enacting reforms to state government.

The new Senate majority passed a number of reforms Monday, such as having term limits on the majority leader post and creating a C-SPAN-type legislative network.

“I’ve been involved in New York politics for 16 years,” he said. “Do I have a personal agenda? I’d like to know what it is, other than the fact of trying to get this state on a better track than it’s on.”

The reforms are positive, but they are not as significant as Golisano portrays them, said Blair Horner, New York Public Interest Research Group’s legislative director.

For example, Republicans say the reforms will require equal distribution of pork-barrel money, but Horner said there is nothing in the legislation that would require that.

“It’s a step forward,” Horner said. “It’s not a pole vault forward.”

Capital News 9

Albany, NY

http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/474452/senate-holds-brief-session-after-judge-refuses-to-block-takeover/?RegionCookie=12

ALBANY, N.Y. — After a judge declined to stop them, members of the Senate coalition made their way through a frenzy of protesters and press, finally opening the Senate chamber doors for the first time since Monday’s coup.

But it was a treacherous road for the senators. Several called the protestors’ behavior general thuggery.

“My counsel, who’s about this big, someone had spit in her face. And as I was going through the door, I got knocked down to my knee. One of the sergeants caught me,” said Senator Jim Alesi.

“It’s threats through intimidation,” said Senator George Winner.

Once inside, the coalition leaders celebrated their victory.

“This is a new day in Albany,” said Senator Dean Skelos.

“Two brave Democrats joined a mission worthy of support, a coalition government,” said Senator Pedro Espada Jr.

Coalition fights way into Senate chamber

Despite the legal back and forth, the new coalition claims it was able to hold session Thursday. But lawmakers literally had to fight their way to get through the Senate chamber doors. Capital Tonight’s Erin Billups covers that angle of the story.

But it quickly became clear the session was largely symbolic. The Senate journal clerk, not present, had locked away the bill jackets, which are needed to officially pass legislation.

But that wasn’t the only setback to the progress the coalition promised. Dissident Democrat Hiram Monserrate left early, refusing to vote on any bills until more Democrats join the group.

“This chamber must not remain divided, so I’m going to excuse myself from this chamber,” Monserrate said.

A Democratic spokesman said that means, for now, they only have 31 members willing to vote on legislation.

“I think that speaks to the fragility of their alleged majority,” said Senate Democratic Spokesman Travis Proulx.

Senate Democrats said they will continue to fight the coalition in court, challenging the new leadership and rules reform passed Monday.

The coalition said session will reconvene Monday afternoon, with more Democratic members joining their ranks.