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January 13, 2009

Tables turned in NY Senate: Democrats take charge

By VALERIE BAUMAN

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Democrats in control of the Senate for the first time in 43 years turned the tables on Republicans in combative floor debates Monday with Republicans adopting Democrats' previous arguments for equal staffing and resources.

In the end, Democrats denied Republicans the equal treatment that Democrats had long called for.

"Because I'm a a pastor, I say, let's share, let's be equal," said Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz of the Bronx, now with a powerful and lucrative committee chairmanship in the majority. Then he said with a laugh: "If I were not a pastor, I would say — suffer a little bit."

Democrats won a 32-30 majority in the November elections.

Traditionally, majority legislators get higher leadership stipends, more staff, resources, and better offices than the minority party. It's a pattern that can only be changed by a majority — which is historically unlikely to give up power and resources unnecessarily.

The Senate rejected a resolution to share funds more fairly with Republicans, but the issue is still in negotiation. Democrats said they need more time to go over potential reforms, including the issue of resources. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said all members of the Senate would have base operating funds of about $350,000.

While Democrats were in the minority, there was no minimum funding amount and some Democrats on Monday recounted the Republicans' refusal to provide pens and pencils and one Democrat said he had to tap into his pension to upgrade his office.

For the past 43 years, Senate Republicans have had control and monopolized chamber resources. Now, Senate Democrats are torn between those who are bitter about their treatment over the years, and those who want equal funding.

"You had an opportunity to brings us all together. You failed," said Sen. Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat, to Republicans. Adams said he would still vote for more equal distribution of resources, though, and he doesn't hold a grudge.

Democrats have created a temporary, nine-person, bipartisan committee to reform Senate rules. It will be co-chaired by Sen. John Bonacic, an Orange County Republican, and Democratic Sen. Dave Valesky, of Syracuse. The committee will be made up of six Democrats and three Republicans, who have 90 days to get input from the public and good government groups before presenting reform proposals.

The nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, and other advocacy groups said the changes are a step forward, but they wanted more reform, faster.

Sen. George Winner, an Elmira Republican, called the lack of equal distribution of resources unfair, and questioned Smith repeatedly about the committee and how it will operate. This led to some confusion about whose turn it was to speak on the Senate floor — a sign of the bumpy transition for both parties in their new roles.

"It was interesting to hear the Senate Republicans singing our song for a change," said Blair Horner, legislative director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "It was nice to see the reform shoe on the other foot, but it would have been nice in fact if they had embraced that measure a few years ago; nevertheless, it was a good thing."

The Senate also passed a resolution that requires more openness in how Senators vote when trying to force a bill out of committee. The new reforms will also give rank-and-file members of both parties the ability to co-sponsor bills. In the past, minority members have been excluded from signing onto majority-sponsored bills.

Smith also wants to make more information about Senate actions and votes available to the public online.

Any new rules will last through 2009.

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