June 9, 2009
Posted: June 9th, 2009 09:46 AM ET

(CNN) - Republicans appeared to regain control of the New York State Senate Monday, convincing two Democrats to support a new power-sharing coalition.

State Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate from Queens, both Democrats, voted with Republicans 32 to 30 to make the move.

"For the past five months, state government has been characterized by gridlock, paralysis, secretiveness, threats and partisan politics – all to the detriment of the people represented by me and my 61 colleagues," Espada said in a statement.

"Today begins a new state government built on reform, bipartisanship and consensus- and coalition-building."

Espada and Monserrate pledged to remain Democrats, while supporting the new coalition.

The deal seems to remove the Democratic majority from leadership five months after it took control of the chamber for the first time in more than 40 years. It also propels Espada into the post of president pro tempore.

Republican Sen. Dean Skelos would become majority leader and vice president, replacing Malcolm Smith, a Democrat.

"This is despicable," said Gov. David Paterson. "Now every week, because the Senate is close between the two major parties and someone doesn't like what's going on, we change leadership?"

State Democrats said nothing had changed.

"This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic majority," said Austin Shafran, a Smith spokesman. "The real Senate majority is anxious to get back to governing, and will take immediate steps to get us back to work."

Filed under: New York


single mom   June 9th, 2009 12:11 pm ET

Folks, these are politicians. They're looking out for number one – themselves – no one else.
What's more, this is the New York legislature we're discussing. They might start the morning talking, but soon enough they'll be yelling and shouting to be heard. And no one is doing any listening, which means, no matter who is in charge, that nothing will get done.
Sigh. Sort of sounds like legislatures around the country, including DC.

Boytjie   June 9th, 2009 12:10 pm ET

Staging a coup by secretly coniving with only two Democrats is NOT 'reaching accross the aisle'!

rob   June 9th, 2009 12:09 pm ET

These 2 guys are toast in the next election.

Frank, Las Vegas   June 9th, 2009 12:04 pm ET

Those two senators should remember who elected them. The people in their districts, not the GOP strong arm artists. Maybe they will find their spine again at election time, or they can plan their retirement.

Mick   June 9th, 2009 12:01 pm ET

To all the celebrating GOPers posting, the Pubbies have been in control of the NY state senate for 40 year until 4 months ago so all this "evil liberalism" you continually whine about happened on their watch and with their approval and consent. The NY governor when the decisions were made that are now plaguing state finances was one George Pataki, Republican.

Yep the Republican are bringing sweeping change to Albany. It's going right back to the bad old days of inept Republican governance and backroom deals bad for the people but good for greedy special interests.

Congrats! Stand up cheer! That's something to be proud of.

RNC = DNC = politics as usual   June 9th, 2009 11:44 am ET

If Democrats did this, the media would call it reaching across the aisle.

Lou from CT   June 9th, 2009 11:35 am ET

Well – let's hope that gridlock does disappear from NY state government. At first blush though, this appears to be a desperate ploy by the Republicans to put themselves in the limelight.

Tom from NY(Independent Moderate)   June 9th, 2009 11:32 am ET

I saw this on Monday on the news. The ones that defected, and gave the GOP the majority status back, well I guess my plans of leaving NY state are going in high gear. For 40 plus years the GOP held the majority in this state, with their Rockefeller drug laws and all that nonsense and not alot of stuff got done. At least some things got done with the DEMS holding the Senate as majority for the first time in a long time, but regardless of what party is in power, within a few years I will be leaving NY for good after 20 plus years of living here just tired of the way things are and attitude. Anyhow, its politics and thats how things are. Either party in power, this is not a good time for our country or this state.

Andi   June 9th, 2009 11:31 am ET

which is it? Did the GOP 'take control', or is it a 'bipartisan' control?

RJ- GA.   June 9th, 2009 11:31 am ET

And Democracy dies with a deal ! The Republican Party will stop at nothing to re-own this country. No lie too Big, No War to costly, yet anything for the people too socialist ! New York shame on You !!!!

Billy   June 9th, 2009 11:28 am ET

Yeah, go after the two weak Liberals. They lost their re-election for 2010 and then we take back control of NYC. I personally don't think the Republican party is dead, that would be stupid, but I can dream right? Who would vote for old guys with the same old burned out ideas, or a young woman who thinks the world is 6,000 years old. She is the biggest financial moron since...well, Bush. You constantly talk about the second U.S Democratic president in 30 years. People fear change. Clinton brought our National Debt down to almost nothing, brought the number of people on Welfare down to the lowest point in 30 years. Nixon? Corrupt. Bush? Idiotic. Reagan was ok, I'll admit that. A lot of the president is the cabinet he picks though, the president is a mediator and thinks up some ideas, but it all relies on the cabinet for his ideas to be passed. Personally, there are a lot more teenagers ready to vote Liberal than Conservative, even in Conservative redneck states like NC, I would know, I'm trapped here.

-Billy

Tony from NY   June 9th, 2009 11:27 am ET

This is sad.

sifto77   June 9th, 2009 11:27 am ET

its not that people dislike the dems–they know that the liberals in the nation are steering them down the wrong road–like him personally or not, Obama is a bad influence on the country in spite of "historical significance" or any other superficial reason. Seems no one is advising this young inexperienced President and he seems to only know how to speak, spend and act cool.

UNEDUCATED AMERICA   June 9th, 2009 11:23 am ET

i will be voting anti incumbent this next election-

that is real change

George   June 9th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Well, there goes Gay marriage.

Fair is Fair   June 9th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Leave it to the democrats to once again steal defeat from the jaws of victory. Predictable, if nothing else.

tcaudilllg   June 9th, 2009 11:18 am ET

You mean they were Democrats.... They aren't welcome in our party anymore. They're Republicans now.

We need to do a much better job of vetting our people.

Post always rejected by CNN   June 9th, 2009 11:17 am ET

There is always impeachment...guess the two turncoats will lose their seats in the next election....

yuri   June 9th, 2009 11:13 am ET

Hope this bipartisan bulwark blocks all kinds of bickerings and brawls to avoid unpleasant events in general.

Dan Kadish   June 9th, 2009 11:12 am ET

Monserrate might have beaten his girlfriend and Espada might not even live in his own district making them dirty... DEMOCRATS!!! I love how liberals are saying this is the evil NY GOP who did something wrong!! NO, it was corrupt and questionable DEMOCRATS who sold out their own party because their party was such a basket case (remember star governor gets caught with prostitutes, replacement had 3 affairs?). 2010 is going to be a bloodbath for DEMOCRATS who have lost their way and support even more bankrupt policies that hurt the average voter.

Next up Patterson, and getting rid of that horrible entrenched politician Sheldon Silver in the Assembly. Gentlemen, your time is up, enjoy what you have while it lasts.

Randolph Carter   June 9th, 2009 11:11 am ET

ranjit Wrote: It is amazing to see liberal bastion of New York crumbling down to the policies of the messiah. Soon, this change will be all across the fruited plains of this great nation. Wake up folks

Settle down there, Sparky. This is the NY state legislature we're talking about. They won't get anything done no matter who is running the show. They never do. Have a nice day!

Boytjie   June 9th, 2009 11:09 am ET

Who said the two swicthed parties? They are still Democrats (maybe only in name, but they have not become Republicans).

Was the NY Senate any better up till 5 months ago when Republicans were in charge? No. Albany is a sad, sad mess and both parties are to blame.

Back to Simple Life   June 9th, 2009 11:05 am ET

This is how it's supposed to work for states and fed. Not one party, but what is best for the people.

Why can't our politicians stop listening to lobbyists and start listening to WE THE PEOPLE?

I think the country is changing in that we and the journalists are holding the politicians out for public inspection. No more secrets and no more 'PARTY BEFORE THE PEOPLE'.

I like it – hope everyone else does too.

Ranjit   June 9th, 2009 11:03 am ET

It is amazing to see liberal bastion of New York crumbling down to the policies of the messiah. Soon, this change will be all across the fruited plains of this great nation. Wake up folks

Zion   June 9th, 2009 11:03 am ET

Are these people behaving like ACORN? Where's the outrage? I though votes counted...remember that conservatives.

Zion   June 9th, 2009 11:02 am ET

Oh, no, it's a GOP comeback...and then I woke up. LOL

Will appease anyone for theatre tickets   June 9th, 2009 10:57 am ET

Step one in the recovery of this once great Country, 2010 is not far away and then 2012.

People or sheep seem to like this President (I personally hate his guts just like you "people hated Bush" so save the condemnation), but if you notice they are not liking his policies nearly as much.

Those numbers are ALL on their way down Barry.

Experiment failed, one and done.

CC   June 9th, 2009 10:54 am ET

Is this a legit change of command? If they're not actually switching parties or caucusing with the GOP, does that really change the majority? I understand thy have the right to question leadership, but I thought that leaders were chosen at the beginning session?

Anjum   June 9th, 2009 10:50 am ET

this is corruption at its best, all that republicans are good for. It sounds great that Republicans can stall and block anything from happening, then get Espada into "president pro tempore" in exchange for getting a majority. They just went after two weak weak people and made a corrupt move for their votes in this matter.

Billy J in Texas   June 9th, 2009 10:49 am ET

Great... the Dems flinched. Oh well. It is true that works has to get done, it is too bad the Republicans couldn't have been the ones to be adults about it. Unlike some of the folks in BOTH parties, but predominantly the last round of Republicans I am not willing to bite my nose off to spite my face, I guess the two Dems felt the same way.

Dan Holiday   June 9th, 2009 10:47 am ET

Now that is change we can believe in ! ! ! Go N.Y. Note to Dems: Get used to this. It is the way of things to come...lol. If you don't blieve me go to Rasmussen and check their polling data. The GOP is now trusted more on all of the hot button issues for this country. And with the EU seeing the light and going right, it is only a matter of time that the US joins the trend. Heck, maybe even some liberals will join in since they think that everything the Europeans do is the best...hahaha!

Jeff   June 9th, 2009 10:47 am ET

So it's not acceptable for 2 NY Dems to switch and give the Republicans control of the state senate because it will "reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic majority," but it is okay for Arlen Specter to jump ship from R to D to give the Democrats a veto-proof majority in the US Senate even though the people never expressed that will?

Yes, I know it's NY vs PA, state vs US, but the impact is the same. Individual elected officials are changing their voting intentions if not their party alignment, and it's okay R-to-D but not D-to-R.

Can you say double-standard?

Are the people finally waking up and realizing we might be heading in a wrong direction?

TomJay   June 9th, 2009 10:44 am ET

The Democrats making themselves look like fools in New York.

Ryan Indy   June 9th, 2009 10:38 am ET

Hey Dems I thought the Republican Party was DEAD? You mental midgets are so funny, you put your second Democratic President in the White House in the last 30 yrs and some way you people believe you have slayed the Dragon and the Republicans are irrelevant now? HA ........Either you have a short memory or just plain Dumb or Both, I will go with C.

Karen - Missouri   June 9th, 2009 10:35 am ET

it's another day of Republican obstructionism, lies, deceit, and total lack of governing. Who are the Republicans kidding? I guess all the rich people must've shown up at the polls.

Leslie   June 9th, 2009 10:33 am ET

Two Democrats depicted to the GOP, you've seen the election result in Europe, the libtards lose BIG time, the same thing will happen in this country. The people in Europe have finally realized socialism is killing their country, they're moving to the right.

The lonely Libertarian of Liverpool NY   June 9th, 2009 10:33 am ET

I just can not believe this. Our New York Government is inventing new ways to be dysfunctional. We are on the brink of being bankrupt and we will have a continued gridlock just like we have had for the last three decades. What are we doing following California into the abyss?

Bill   June 9th, 2009 10:32 am ET

Anything would be better than what they have now. If left as it is it will be just another democratic welfare state wtih no money and even more massive deficits.

patNY   June 9th, 2009 10:26 am ET

Please! We are not so naive to belive that this was done with the best interests of New Yorker's in mind...this was a pure and simple power grab by a party that could not bear to sit in the wings in the minority. And look who they got from the dem side to aid them...an indicted wife beater who cut his wife's face with glass, and one who just recently was caught not living in his district. Both or at least one, will be booted from the senate, and we'll be back to square one...the sad thing about all this, is that this really puts the final nail on the coffin for marriage equality in NYS.

J.P.   June 9th, 2009 10:26 am ET

Looking at the results of the California referendum election a few weeks back, the results of this weekend's EU elections and the switch in power in this state house, 2010 is going to be an electoral blood bath for Democrats.

You cannot look at this any other way. Look, when even the left leaning Eurpoeans are throwing the socialists out of office (The Socialist Party had its worst electoral showing since the end of WWII), you KNOW what our elections are going to look like. They will make 1994 look subtle by way of comparison.

But, don't think that means voters will be giving "republicans" a free pass. Don't get too comfortable, big-spending RINOs... your day will come soon, too.

DON'T RE-ELECT ANYONE!
535 unknown left-handed dog catchers from acrross the nation would be better than the current Congress. They couldn't possibly do any worse.

DaBird   June 9th, 2009 10:24 am ET

You mean spend, spend, spend, tax, tax, tax doesn't work!!!! The states that are in trouble financially are the liberal states, NY, NJ, CA, MASS. The same thing is happening with the US. Everybody's taxes are going up.

TRUTH   June 9th, 2009 10:24 am ET

the only way the gop will control a thing is by tricks, wait 'til the people vote. bush/cheney killed the gop DEMS ALL THE WAY

blaster   June 9th, 2009 10:23 am ET

The people of NY are fed up with the tax policies of Paterson and the rest. And of course the dems' only response is name calling because they're too stupid to figure out what's behind this move. Were these people complaining when Specter defected to their party? Didn't think so.

Pragmatic   June 9th, 2009 10:22 am ET

Tom Libous, from Binghamton, is claiming all the credit. It doesn't matter to him the NY Republicans did nothing while in power for decades and that if the people of NY wanted Republican leadership – they would have elected Republicans! They didn't!

Several years ago, the NYS legislature was voted the most dysfunctional state government in the country: bottom of the list. If you wondered why ... here's another example!

Tom in CA   June 9th, 2009 10:19 am ET

Sounds like California's legislature – they're doing nothing.

Mike in SA   June 9th, 2009 10:16 am ET

Does this mean the Dems are going to try to force us to take Arlen Specter back? he-he

and the new york senate's message? 'NO'   June 9th, 2009 10:16 am ET

we will hear a lot more 'NO' from new york now if the GOP's preceeding messages are any indication of what to expect from their results and behavior, the message of 'NO', but no solutions

G SMITH PA   June 9th, 2009 10:11 am ET

The GOP is making a comeback, thank you Obama for making this happen. The American people do not want socialism and want a safer America.

Shari, NY   June 9th, 2009 10:09 am ET

You mean the Pedro Espada who was investigated for representing the Bronx while livinig in the affluent suburbs of Westchester? You mean Monserrate who beat his girlfriend good and proper, claimed it was accident and she covered it up too (like Rihanna)? Poor New York!

Dan Kadish   June 9th, 2009 10:08 am ET

I fail to see how this is "despicable" or "illegal and unlawful." This was two elected officials leaving their party by their choice. Nothing illegal about that, it is purely their choice to swith parties or vote with the opposition. That is why we elect officials to make decisions that best serve their people not their parties. Dems in NY have passed massive tax and spend policies that hurt the state, at least we can now find a way to put the brakes on. The Dems in NY have nothing to stand on here, they had a Governer in a scandal, a Governer who is a joke, a state Assembly leader who is a fat cat and has ruined the state over the years, and now no Lt Governer to help them win tie votes. Hopefully now the Republicans led by Skelos will go back to their principles and block unwanted taxes and bad policies.

phoenix86   June 9th, 2009 10:07 am ET

Great news for NY. Even the favorable opinion of George Bush is now up to 41%. American's can only be lied to so long before they realize that it is only BS they are hearing and it is their money that Obama is "redistributing" to his "friends".

Robert   June 9th, 2009 10:06 am ET

Those two senators just killed their chances of winning re-election in New York.

Jim   June 9th, 2009 10:04 am ET

Success!

Even a liberal haven like New York can get something right once in awhile.

tony   June 9th, 2009 10:04 am ET

Its about time that someone stood up for the People. These idiots in the Senate have been blocking republicans at every turn, and bankrupting the state with their policies. Good Job!

Sniffit   June 9th, 2009 10:03 am ET

"...all to the detriment of the people represented by me and my 61 colleagues," Espada said in a statement.

Riiiiight...and becoming president pro tempore had nothing to do with his motivation to go along with this nonsense....

Henry Miller   June 9th, 2009 9:58 am ET

Backlash? I'm beginning to wonder if even the Democrats getting scared of Obama's spend! spend! spend! truly voodoo economics.

Bill   June 9th, 2009 9:55 am ET

Who knows what's going on here, at the very least, it's interesting. Should be fun to watch.

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