Lawmakers Faced With Deadline To Resolve Power Struggle
If state Senators can't resolve their differences today, a judge in Albany will do it for them.
Last week, a State Supreme court judge delayed his decision on who is in charge of the Senate in order to give lawmakers a chance to work it out. During last week's coup, Democrats Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada sided with Republicans in order to oust Queens Senator Malcolm Smith as majority leader.
Democrats, who back Smith, are suing saying the power grab was illegal. Behind the scenes however, there are indications that Democrats are trying to find another leader and could select Senator John Sampson of Brooklyn.
In the meantime, Republicans have called for a session this afternoon in Albany. Governor David Paterson has called the coup an unnecessary distraction.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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