Breaking - NY Daily News reports two Dems to caucus with GOP, turning over control of Senate

The fury Democrats will level at these senators if they give up the majority

will be horrendous.

It will kill their political careers, and from what it sounds like they were pretty much DINOs anyways.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:17:44 PM CDT

yeah, they'll be gone

And good riddance. But the question is, will the state party pick replacements who are friendly to gay marriage?

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by: m3brooklyn @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:48:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It would seem likely

since this is an issue that was being pushed by the Governor.  Just a guess on my part.

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by: Donna @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:11:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

yeah, Paterson is a friend

and he'll have some sway, but in the end the party will pick someone they think is (a) likely to toe the party line and (b) electable in the 32nd district. I don't know the district, so I don't know how much or which parts of (a) they'd have to sacrifice to get (b). Or how much they think they have to sacrifice, whether they're right or not.

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by: m3brooklyn @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:17:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

this party change

doesn't appear to have anything to do with gay marriage as neither of these two who switched were opposed to gay marriage.  ONe is on the list to vote FOR the other is undecided.

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by: timNC @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:57:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh, boy what a hot mess!

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:17:59 PM CDT

I'm not suprised to see Homosexual there

I know marriage equality is something I shouldn't expect, but not even gay marriage.  After that recent blog post someone made here on the blend about how homosexual is being used as a bad word amongst closed minded people, I'm not surprised to see it there.

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by: Jake Gellar-Goad @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:19:15 PM CDT

Ahh...football season comes early

or did it ever end?

Using my citizenship - my family - as a bargaining chip in back room deals...the US of Ahole never ceases to amaze me.

And they are the crusaders of morality, eh?  They are protecting the family?  

Who will finally be courageous enough to take the stand that bashing an under represented minority is immoral, mean, and unncessary?  

Who gets hurt when same-sex couples are legitimzied?  

Who gets hurt when they aren't?

I hope someone is keeping track of the Democrats...no matter where they are...they are all accountable.  

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:33:07 PM CDT

Good question

Who will finally be courageous enough to take the stand that bashing an under represented minority is immoral, mean, and unncessary?  

The March on Washington October 11th when nobody will be there to listen.

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by: Donna @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:15:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, these men now are fighters against the Hispanic Menace

and gay marriage as members of the Republican party.

Talk about betraying your own people....

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:33:57 PM CDT

Hmmm....

Get some Log Cabin members to primary the morons out of the Republican nomination? Because those state senators are RINOS on economic issues.  

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by: mmunson @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:35:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This is the New York State Senate, correct?

This only illustrates something that I have known for many years, and which some people just cannot grasp: Having a (D) behind their name does not, in any way, guarantee that a politician will be an ally. We must vote by a person's words and deeds, not by party affiliation.

And the truth is that many Democrats are out-and-out bigots.

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by: TechBear @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:48:54 PM CDT

there's more going on than meets the eye

intriguing paragraph from the NYT:

"Why Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate suddenly defected on Monday afternoon was not immediately clear. Both men are under investigation by the authorities. The state attorney general's office is investigating a health care agency, Soundview HealthCare Network, that Mr. Espada ran until recently. And Mr. Monserrate, who was indicted on felony assault charges in March stemming from an attack on his companion, would automatically be thrown out of office if convicted."

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes....

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by: chiefscribe @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 15:56:03 PM CDT

NY Senate breakdown of where they stand

If writing or calling your NY Senators, remember to thank our supporters and use your best arguments as to why those opposed or undecided, especially undecided, should vote yes:

Would vote "Yes"

Eric Adams, D-Brooklyn
Neil Breslin, D-Delmar
Martin Dilan, D-Brooklyn
Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan
Pedro Espada, D-Bronx
Craig Johnson, D-Nassau
Jeffrey Klein, D-Bronx/Westchester
Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan
Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn
Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Westchester
Kevin Parker, D-Brookyn
Bill Perkins, D-Manhattan
Diane Savino, D-Staten Island/Brooklyn
Eric Schneiderman, D-Manhattan/Bronx
Jose Serrano, D-Bronx/Manhattan
Malcolm Smith, D-Queens
Daniel Squadron, D-Brooklyn/Manhattan
Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Queens
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Westchester
Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo

Would vote "No"

Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent
John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse
Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx
Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna
John Flanagan, R-Suffolk
Charles Fuschillo, R-Nassau/Suffolk
Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn
Joseph Griffo, R-Rome
Shirley Huntley, D-Queens
William Larkin, R-Cornwall
Kenneth LaValle, R-Suffolk
Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton
Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury
Carl Marcellino, R-Nassau/Suffolk
George Maziarz, R-Newfane
Michael Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls
George Onorato, D-Queens
Frank Padavan, R-Queens/Bronx/Nassau
Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Amherst
Joseph Robach, R-Greece
Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie
James Seward, R-Milford
Dean Skelos, R-Nassau
William Stachowski, D-Buffalo
Dale Volker, R-Depew
George Winner, R-Elmira
Catharine Young, R-Olean

Undecided

John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Carl Kruger, D-Brooklyn
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida

Wouldn't Say

Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland

Best wishes NY!

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." - Andy Warhol



"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction" - Blaise Pascal

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by: TruthandLove @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:12:30 PM CDT

can you link

to the source of this list?






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:33:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Espada is in favor of marriage equality..

....I just spoke to his press sec'y and he reiterated that that hasn't changed.   The press guy didn't say whether he would bring the issue to the floor if the votes were there.  It also may hinge on who is on the committee that it has to be voted out of.  

I think it's more about internal Dem politics, and the fact that Espada has just had an ethics fine from the Senate.

Btw, Monseratte, the other guy (who actually is against marriage equality), has been indicted for felony assualt on his girlfriend.   If he is convicted he will be expelled from the Senate automtically...and the Senate will be tied...but the Gov will replace him with someone who supports marriage equality I'm certain.

If only Spitzer had kept it in his pants none of this would be happening.

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by: suigenerousla @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:14:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

huh?

Monseratte is on the list posted above as undecided, not against

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by: timNC @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:59:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

he's a dillweed...

...he's heavily leaning no

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by: suigenerousla @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 20:03:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I can't link to where the list is from....

My cousin emailed it to me.....it is no more than a week old though.....So yes, some of the undecided could have made up their minds by now.  I just posted it before leaving for work this afternoon.
Anyway, even if they are undecided they should be treated as against as far as arguments used to speak with them.

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." - Andy Warhol



"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction" - Blaise Pascal

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by: TruthandLove @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 03:12:06 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

So with this update

Does that mean that Smith really, truly is going to bring marriage equality to a vote?

WTF is going on?

(Although I really do love political theater like this, to be honest!)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:16:01 PM CDT

?

I seriously doubt it. Even if he can persuade the two renegades to come back, Diaz will be running. Question is how many others will run with him.

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by: avocado @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:53:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, forget marriage equality in NY

Sen. Malcolm Smith won't risk bringing the bill to a floor vote. But what else should we expect from these cowards?

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by: Kokas @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:18:50 PM CDT

Hiram Monserrate

seems to take his cues from Louisiana politics. At least here he's not allowed to serve prison time and his Senate term concurrently.

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by: m3brooklyn @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:24:08 PM CDT

Damn.

And I thought Nevada politics were bizarre, and before that I thought no state could be more screwy than California...

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:34:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Dammit.

I guess we won't see marriage equality in NY soon. This just goes to show that we don't just need more Democrats, but more and better Democrats. We need not just a "Dem majority", but a majority for civil rights and social justice. This is sad, but it should be a wake-up call for progressive Dems in NY.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:32:05 PM CDT

We need better Republicans, too.

Republicans of the pre-Reagan variety can be wonderful allies.  I'd vote for one if the alternative was another of these "trust me" democrats.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:36:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't count on it.

Republicans of the pre-Reagan variety can be wonderful allies.

They've either become Democrats or Independents. Even Reagan himself would probably be considered "lib'rul!" by the Limbaugh-Palin-Gingrich faction that now controls the GOP. According to them, we don't need no stinkin' "tolerance" of the "homosexual deviants".

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:05:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

not all of them.

there are some quite fair-minded republicans here in washington state.  not as many as we'd like of course, but that's where the "we need more" part comes in.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:29:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're lucky, then.

Unfortunately, we don't have any left in California (unless you count Arnold, who flip-flops daily on repealing Prop H8). And here in Nevada, we were able to get the few GOP crossovers we got on SB 283 after they were reassured that "DPs are NOT marriage"... Oh yeah, and because Harrah's, MGM Mirage, and Wynn were pulling out all stops for it.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 19:06:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

video of the power grab

The power grab...

Under new Senate rules adopted today, more power is given to individual members, the committee process has been strengthened, greater debate and consideration of legislation will be allowed and resources among the members of both Majority and Minority parties will be equalized," Skelos said.

"Beyond reform, the new Majority coalition will empower the Latino community in this state and begin to fulfill promises made to them by the previous Democrat leadership. Senator Espada, Senator Monserrate and others believe they and the more than 3 million Latinos in this state deserve greater recognition and representation in the Senate and that by joining in a coalition government with our Republican Conference we can fulfill the promises of reform, change and empowerment."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blo...

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:35:41 PM CDT

"Latinos in this state deserve greater recognition and representation"

Shouldn't that read:

Latinos in this state deserve greater recognition and representation unless they're queer.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:38:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Would the Senators care to elaborate?

How specifically do Senators Espada and Monserrate plan on giving Latino New Yorkers greater "recognition and representation?"  Can they elucidate a platform?  Somehow it seems pretty transparent that this move was made for the benefit of 2 individuals, not 3 million.

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by: eastsidekate @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:10:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's "Democrat*ic*", Mr. Skelos.

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by: chiefscribe @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:17:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If Only...

If Senator Diaz organizes another anti-equality rally, we should all dress up in bed sheets and pointy white hats and march with them. Just to see Diaz's face and give them all negative press coverage.

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by: LostMetroid88 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:44:38 PM CDT

Heh.

We should try that some time, just to point out how truly bigoted they are.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:06:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

He's a headliner in "Stand up for Marriage" Rally

in Albany.
Look at the list of antis he will be standing with:

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D - Bronx)
• Mr. Michael Long, Chairman, New York State Conservative Party
• Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
• Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., Executive Director, High Impact Leadership Coalition
• Maggie Gallagher, President, National Organization for Marriage
• Bishop Joseph Mattera, Presiding Bishop of Christ Covenant Coalition
• Rev. George Grace, Senior Pastor, First Bible Baptist Church, Rochester
• Rev. Duane Motley, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms
• Other pro-family leaders and state legislators

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 00:18:40 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The question we should all be asking is...

why is it so easy for people to cross parties and not change their politics in the least.

The Dixiecrats became Republicans, Lieberman and Spector flip from one side to another without breaking a sweat.

Now these two soon to be felons jump ship to try to save themselves from an extended visit to Sing Sing Correctional Facility. According to the NY Times

"Why Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate suddenly defected on Monday afternoon was not immediately clear. Both men are under investigation by the authorities. The state attorney general's office is investigating a health care agency, Soundview HealthCare Network, that Mr. Espada ran until recently. And Mr. Monserrate, who was indicted on felony assault charges in March stemming from an attack on his companion, would automatically be thrown out of office if convicted."

Evidently they plan on trading their votes for a dismissal of charges from one party or another. Another dismal demonstration that

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 17:23:22 PM CDT

I guess now the only way to be legally married in NYC

is for us to go to Connecticut and have it recognized here. How fucking ABSURD is this shit already??

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by: Donica @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:03:43 PM CDT

That's it, Donica

NY idiots are willing to let the same-sex couples that live in the state to make the simple trek across the boarder - to a number of states or to Canada - and pay for the marriage licesne.  

Hopefully, all of those couples will also have a party of some kind - invite people to join them in the other locale - and spend more money elsewhere on drinks, food, accommodations, clothes, flowers, and a band (etc etc); money that would be spent in NY if the state wasn't run by idiots.  

Then, after the couples and their friends/families spend money somewhere else, they will return home to NY State where the gov't will recognize the marriage like any other marriage - I assume that means in taxes and other state benefits.  

IN other words, they will help another municipality reap the benefits of marriages while they suck up the cost of honoring relationships they won't create themselves.

How freaking stupid are they?

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 19:41:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm very confused.

Neither of these guys is on record opposing marriage equality.  In fact, Espada is on the list saying he will vote FOR gay marriage.

So, this is weird.

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by: timNC @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:09:15 PM CDT

Unfortunately...

What Espada said earlier won't matter if the GOP takeover happens. I doubt the GOP leader would allow a vote on marriage equality.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 19:13:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think it's more about bribes or extortion than marriage. n/t

These guys were in hot water and got made an offer they couldn't refuse.  

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by: chiefscribe @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:18:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

oops, ignore the "n/t". I did. n/t

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by: chiefscribe @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:19:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Maybe we can look at it this way

Obviously marriage equality wasn't gonna come up with Smith out front.  Maybe it will now?  Well, it's worth a shot of optimism.  That is, of course, if Smith has indeed been ousted.  I'm beginning to think that chamber needs a huge rules and ethics overhaul.

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by: Bruno @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:23:52 PM CDT

What is that phrase I keep hearing?

Homophobe Sen. Rubén Díaz Sr. is also making noise that he plans to cross over to fulfill his threat of doing so if a marriage equality bill comes to the floor.

What strikes me as ironic is how many times I've said I don't like such and such candidate because they don't support equal rights, and the response comes "Yuo can't be a one issuer voter, there are other things more important."

Hmmm...

watashi no yomeiri wa doko desu ka

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by: belfrieboi @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 20:57:24 PM CDT

yeah, it's ok to be a 1-issue legislator

but not a 1-issues voter.  how come i'm never on the winning side of the double standards deck?






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 21:13:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

CALL FOR A MASS DEMONSTRATION - ALBANY TUES, JUNE 16TH

I am calling for a MASS DEMONSTRATION AND MARCH ON THE SENATE to be sponsored by the organizations and coalitions that are supporting the Dignity for all Students Act (DASA), the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the MArriage Equality bill.

Tuesday June 16, 2009 - details to follow (if we can get a nucleus of support)

Either we all hang together, or we all hang, separately.

Purpose: No matter who is in charge of the NY State Senate Zoo, those in charge will be HELD ACCOUNTABLE AT THE POLLS in 2010 if ALL THREE BILLS do not COME TO A VOTE THIS SESSION.

Sic Semper Tyrannis (well, at least in the Voting BOOTH, and not in emulation of John Wilkes BOOTH!)

The New York Transgender Rights Organization has already signed on, and other organizations are expected to sign on quickly.

We have a constitutional right to peacefully assemble to petition the Government for the redress of grievances. A failure of the Senate to vote this session on DASA and GENDA, both of which are KNOWN to have enough votes for State Senate passage, is unconscionable.  And a failure to bring Marriage Equality to a vote is similarly unconscionable.  I may think marriage might be short a few votes, but Senator Duane has said that he knows there are enough votes for Marriage to pass - so that means a failure to allow the vote is wrong.

Joann

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by: Joann Prinzivalli @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 23:51:38 PM CDT

Law Dork 2.0 says...

However this might affect the marriage equality bill, it doesn't seem to be caused by it.  
http://lawdork.wordpress.com/2...

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by: chiefscribe @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 00:43:02 AM CDT

no, this is an inside power struggle

But the bottom line is marriage equality is a definite casualty -- and homophobe Diaz is loving it.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 00:57:13 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

It's a turf war between the African-Americans and the Hispanics

This "power grab" is due to the fact that New York City Black and Hispanic political leaders have never learned how to get along well with each other.  Espada resented Smith's "power."  Now he's "sharing" with a white Nassau County Republican.

Dean Skelos signaled toward the end of session last year that the Republicans are willing to consider transgender bills - the "School Safety" act the Republican-controlled Rule committee floated had some flaws, but it was the FIRST trans-inclusive bill from a Senate Republican.

Espada is a sponsor on Marriage.

The bottom line is that Skelos, Espada and Monserrate have 29 Republicans with them (if we include Skelos, that is 30, plus the two Dems in their coalition) - they do not need Ruben Diaz, Jr. to bring DASA, GENDA and MARRIAGE to a vote.

Espada and Monserrate can threaten to go back if the bills do not get a vote.  I am not insisting that they pass, only that they get a vote. (DASA and GENDA will BOTH pass - it's marriage that might go either way.)

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by: Joann Prinzivalli @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 01:23:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Who's this Tom Golisano?

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by: Chris From Old Europe @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 05:16:08 AM CDT

He is the billionaire founder of Paychex and the Independence Psrty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...

The man has money and an agenda.  And it isn't a civil rights agenda.

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by: Joann Prinzivalli @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 06:03:45 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rich, Libertarian?

So no money for money for minorities at all, as if they were no citizens.

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by: Chris From Old Europe @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 07:44:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

New Senate Prez wants vote

on marriage equality:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes....

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by: Bruno @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 12:22:42 PM CDT