Independent Democratic Conference
Jeff Klein moves quickly to denounce and strip Malcolm Smith
The Democratic state senator in the middle of a sweeping corruption scandal, Malcolm Smith of Queens, has been stripped of his position as chairman of the Independent Democratic Conference, said the leader of that group, State Senator Jeff Klein of the Bronx. More
A Harlem Democrat criticizes Cuomo for allowing 'plantation politics'
A Harlem Democrat is accusing Governor Andrew Cuomo of condoning "plantation politics," by endorsing an arrangement in the State Senate that has effectively blocked black and latino senators from leadership positions in the chamber. More
Malcolm Smith and the State Senate's race issue
State Senator Malcolm Smith's decision to join a group of breakaway Democrats in joining the Republicans in the State Senate is notable for multiple reasons. More
Cuomo: Rockefeller drug reform doesn't 'justify' Democratic leadership
Cuomo tried characterizing his op-ed as casting equal blame on Republicans and Democrats for the failed governance in the New York State Senate. He was not asked about the 2010 comment he madeto reporters where he expressed support for a Democratically-controlled State Senate. More
Cuomo, as a candidate, on the prospect of a Democratic Senate
"Two things," he said. "Number one: I support a Democratic majority in the State Senate. Number two: I think what's most important is a functional State Senate. We can't go through a period like we went through, where the Senate was basically dysfunctional." More
(1)Watch as Andrew Cuomo makes the State Senate into a no-lose proposition
Someone from Cuomoland contacted me this morning with a complaint about the subject line in my morning email newsletter, which referred to a "Cuomo coalition" now running the State Senate. More
(3)Klein lays out 'a progressive Democratic agenda' and roadmap for Republicans
He spoke about the IDC's record in Albany and wrote, "In 2013, we will further our progressive Democratic agenda." More
(1)Sampson sees a Democratic 'mandate' in the State Senate
"There is a mandate," Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson said in an interview on Inside City Hall last night. More
(1)Who controls the state senate? Be prepared to wait
I'm told one of those senators, Simcha Felder, has no meetings scheduled with Republicans nor Democrats, and one isn't expected for some time. More
Silver calls the notion of a Democratic State Senate 'enticing'
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver this morning told Fred Dicker on Talk 1300 radio that he found the idea of Democrats winning back the State Senate "enticing," even though he won't put any fund-raising muscle behind it. More
