”COUP” GIVES GOP CONTROL OF NY STATE SENATE by Ken Mahoney

”COUP” GIVES GOP CONTROL OF NY STATE SENATE by Ken Mahoney

Republicans have regained control of the State Senate, thanks to a coup, of sorts, that involved two Democrats. The takeover came late in yesterday’s session, when Republicans called a surprise vote to re-organize the Senate leadership. The two dissident Democrats -- Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens – gave the Republicans an effective majority of 32-to-30. The vote topples Malcolm Smith as majority leader and Senate President, replacing him in the latter role with Espada. Long Island Republican Dean Skelos takes over as Majority Leader. He says the coup had been in the works, secretly, for about two months. It comes with two weeks left in the legislative session and a number of controversial bills, including one to legalize same-sex marriage, still on the table. Democrats, including Smith and Governor David Paterson, say they’ll challenge the Republican takeover, but it’s not clear if they have grounds to do it.