At the rate they're going, New York's state legislature, and in particular the Senate, might just as well end the farce, leave the building, and set it on fire.

If you haven't been paying attention, this is what happened: a Democratic state Senator, one Hiram Monserrate, was found guilty of slashing his girlfriend in the face last year before Christmas. However, there are degrees of guilt, apparently, leaving a hole large enough for none other than bigoted shitbag Ruben Diaz to jump through.

The New York Times:

Calls for Mr. Monserrate to resign drew angry responses from his allies, including Senator Rubén Díaz Sr. of the Bronx. “Senator Monserrate was found guilty of trying to do good by forcing his girlfriend to go to the hospital for treatment,” Mr. Diaz said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

Actually, that wasn't the point of the whole matter. It's not as if Mr. Monserrate's companion had been in need of treatment before he, well, slashed her face with a broken glass.  read more »

Big news of the day: Senate Democrats worked out a deal with Pedro Espada, the defector who decided to vote with republicans, taking away their majority in the process and declaring himself, with questionable legality, to be President pro tem of the Senate and first in line in the gubernatorial succession.

But never mind. They took him back and rewarded him for his treachery with the Majority Leadership. This after they spent the last four weeks trashing the traitor. But surely, this time around, having been bought off with a title and power, Espada will remain loyal. What could possibly go wrong?

And people wonder why New Yorkers are cynical about their government.

David Paterson announced this afternoon that he would appoint a Lieutenant Governor to fill the office left vacant when he succeeded governor Spitzer on the latter's resignation. Via press release:

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of Richard Ravitch to serve as Lieutenant Governor. The Governor announced the appointment in a televised statewide address during which he spoke about both the fiscal and government crises facing New Yorkers.

Mr. Ravitch has been called to public service numerous times throughout his career by Governors and Mayors at times of historic crises and he will now join Governor Paterson in his efforts to put New York on the road to recovery.

If one were to pick someone to fill the post in the current miasma of dysfunction, Ravich seems like an obvious choice, as someone known better for technocratic expertise than partisanship. If the governor makes this stick, the Senate might begin to function again, given his role in breaking ties in that body. Of course, that would require that the Senate muster a quorum, which seems unlikely these days.

Of course, there's always a fly in the ointment. Attorney General Cuomo's office released a statement calling the idea unconstitutional.

"The State Constitution explicitly prescribes what occurs when there is a vacancy in the Office of Lieutenant Governor. In such circumstance, article 4, § 6 states that "the temporary president of the senate shall perform all the duties of the lieutenant-governor during such vacancy . . . ."

"Article 4, § 1 of the Constitution expressly provides that "the lieutenant-governor shall be chosen at the same time, and for the same term" as the Governor. The Legislature did not authorize a Governor to bypass this provision of the Constitution and fill a vacancy in the Office of Lieutenant Governor pursuant to Public Officers Law § 43.

Arguing for the constitutionality of Paterson's naming of Ravitch is a coalition, apparently newly established, with some of the best legal minds in the state.

If Paterson makes this stick, despite what seems a clear reading of the law - not a lawyer here - it's not going to fix everything. There just is not a clear majority in the upper house, and won't be until an election or defection changes the balance of power yet again.

But you know what the most satisfying result would be? That Pedro Espada - check out the man's arrogance, asinine self-regard and sense of entitlement in the newest issue of New York Magazine - will not be even acting governor if something should happen to Paterson. Maybe we've just been spared the nightmare scenario of an acting governor Espada.

Update, twenty-four hours later: Rosalie was right. The Democrats were talking to Espada. In short, all those sources who said they'd never take him back were either ill-informed or liars.  read more »

So this is intriguing. Since the coup, press releases from the Senate Majority have been going out under two headers: one, Austin Shafran for Senator Smith, and two, Selvena Brooks for Senator Sampson.

Today, however, they sent two, one from Smith, one from Sampson.

Smith, excerpted:

Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, on this day, a band of courageous patriots representing the hearts and minds of the new world gave birth to our nation. Founded upon the sacred principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, an idea was born- one that has lit the world for over two centuries.

Today that idea lives on in us. It is seen every time an American flag is hoisted atop a building or planted firmly in the front yard of houses across the state. It is heard in this Chamber when a Senator stands to speak on behalf of his or her constituents. And it is demonstrated around the globe by the brave men and women of our armed services who have chosen to put themselves in harm's way to protect our country. We may celebrate this day with barbeques and fireworks and salutes to our flag, but it is about more than that. It is about all of us continuing the greatest and most successful experiment in
democracy the world has ever known.

Sampson, briefly noted:

As our nation prepares to celebrate its independence with backyard barbecues and front lawn fireworks, the New York State Senate Democratic Conference and I want to wish all New Yorkers a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.” [...]

“So whether you’re at a parade, concert or baseball game, remember today, and not just this day, but every day, the freedom we all share and take part in that truly makes us an independent nation.”

A trifle odd, no?  read more »

A friend of mine emails over this Monty Python YouTube, claiming it could just as soon be treated as commentary on the Democrats' anguish over losong their Senate majority. I think that's a little unfair, what with them winning the actual election and all that, but the sketch is nothing short of brilliant. Take a look.