Well, big news today: two Democratic NYS Senators have agreed to caucus with the Republicans, flipping control of the chamber.
NY Times:
I am disheartened this basically kills my chance of getting married in NY.
I was pleasantly surprised at some of the rule changes that were voted for after the coup (partial list):
- Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to 8 years.
- Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.
- All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate Website; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010 to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for Congress.
- No bill may be introduced without a named Senate sponsor.
- A non-sponsor amendment if successful will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee. Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.
- A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have his or her bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.
- A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be put to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.
- All procedural votes require only a majority of members present and voting, rather than members elected.
- Debate may exceed 4 hours on budget bills, any bill considered pursuant to a message of necessity, or those which appropriate money.
-- source: (via )
Now granted, this is mostly all just so in 2010 when they end up back in the minority they're not locked out of power (demographic shifts virtually guarantee they'll be ousted again shortly). But still.
This also means that the Republicans will be mostly in charge of redistricting NYS Senate districts, which will keep them from losing as much ground in 2010 versus what the NYS Senate Dems would've drawn.
Ah -- one other new rule I just parsed the meaning of: 'Member items will be divided evenly.' -- essentially pork will be able to be given out by the minority and majority equally, so they can keep the folks back home happy.
An interesting day. Well played, Tom Golisano.
Wasn't he supposed to be in Florida by now?
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