"You're out of order. You're out of order," shouted Democratic Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson at the end of this afternoon's proceedings, which were attended by most senators from both parties (but not as far as I could see by potential swing vote Sen. Hiram Monserrate). What happened? Well, either nothing at all, which is the Democratic version, or a bunch of noncontroversial bills were passed unanimously, which is what the Republicans say.
The Republicans had planned a pre-session at 2 p.m., obviously planning to have control of the podium by the time of the governor's scheduled 3 p.m. session. But the Democratic senators got there first, about 12:30, and locked the doors, leaving us reporters peering in through the glass. Republicans and their Democratic ally and purported Senate President Pro Tempore Pedro Espada showed up about 2:30, and Espada directed GOP Sen. George Winner to take the podium as presiding officer. But a sergeant-at-arms wouldn't let Winner up to the podium, where Democratic Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins was standing. Next to her was Democratic lawyer Keith St. John and Marty Connor, a former Democratic senator, a lawyer and expert parliamentarian. Winner just went around to stand in front of the podium and took control of the proceedings, assisted by Jack Casey, who was the Senate parliamentarian when the GOP was in undisputed control. They zipped through a passel of bills, sponsored by senators from both parties and all (according to Casey) passing unanimously, including local sales-tax extenders. The Democrats stood (in the case of Stewart-Cousins) or sat silent.
At 3, Republican leader Sen. Dean Skelos prompted Winner to gavel adjournment (although very soon they were acting as though the session was continuing). Stewart-Cousins then gaveled the Senate into session, but she and Democratic leader Malcolm Smith then said the Senate stood at ease, as it waited for the governor's bills to arrive. (When Winner and Casey had beenconducting their business, Smith was conferring with Connor and fellow Democratic senators including Jeff Klein, Eric Adams and Bill Perkins. He kept shakng his head and throwing his hands up in the air, as if to say, What can I do?)
So .. either a bunch of bills were passed, or they weren't. I guess a court may have to rule as to which of the simultaneous Kabuki sessions was taking place in the real world. But since the Democrats were sitting there while public business was being discussed, it sounds like an actual meeting to me according to my reporter's recollection of how the Open Meetings Law works.
One thing I've learned in NYS politics is to never say "It couldn't get any more assinine."
Posted by: Brian | June 24, 2009 at 09:51 AM