Jeff Klein
Why the most popular anti-corruption measure isn't on Albany's radar
Establishing term limits for state legislators is the most popular solution to fighting corruption in the New York State legislature. Term limits also has absolutely zero chance of becoming law. More
An Assembly plan to finance elections, minus the Seabrook provision
The campaign finance reform bill unveiled by Assembly Democrats this afternoon mirrors in many ways the matching-funds system already in place in New York City. More
On Cuomo not ever controlling the legislature or Simcha Felder's rabbis
Governor Andrew Cuomo has always said in public that he doesn't get involved in legislative leadership struggles, which is a convenient position, if not a completely accurate one. More
Andrew Cuomo and the shenanigan-free Senate coalition
It isn't great for Andrew Cuomo, today's arrest of Malcolm Smith for an alleged bribery scheme. More
(1)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
Why is Andrew Cuomo liberal now?
A conversation with Times Union political reporter Jimmy Vielkind about Cuomo's new agenda, and whether there's anyone left to stand in its way. More
Addabbo won't accept a chairmanship unless it's 'part of a bigger picture'
In a brief interview this afternoon, Addabbo said "It would have to be part of a bigger picture" and that chairmanships and legislative power needed to "distributed in a fair and equitable manner." More
Silver: 'I don't think Governor Cuomo believes this is a dictatorship'
Count Sheldon Silver among the Democrats who don't think Gov. Andrew Cuomo should have intervened in the State Senate leadership dispute to press for a Democratic majority.
"I think the governor is the Governor of the State of New York, and he moves or doesn't move forward in order to accomplish things for the great state of New York," the Assembly speaker said this morning, after a memorial lecture for his brother, the late Dr. Joseph Silver, in Brooklyn. More
(2)A bipartisan coalition, and 'what the state actually looks like'
Now Al Sharpton, too, is getting vocal about the lack of diversity in the leadership in the State Senate, joining a growing number of black and Latino officials in Albany. More
(1)'This isn't going to work': A party for Senate Democrats, with Cuomo as the Grinch
In a small room right off the lobby of a swanky residential building overlooking Central Park last night, a handful of Democratic lawmakers, donors and political operatives gathered for what ought to have been a festive occasion: the holiday party hosted by the New York State Senate Democrats. More
(1)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
Jeff Klein wipes away a Democratic majority
Stephanie Miner, One of the people Cuomo picked to co-chair the Democratic Party likes the Republican's deal with the Independent Democratic Conference. [Michelle Breidenbach]
Cuomo's other chosen co-chair for the party, Assemblyman Keith Wright, isn't upset about the deal, nor is he talking about retaliation. [Liz Benjamin]
(2)Republicans and breakaway Democrats announce joint custody of the State Senate
Five Democratic state senators announced this afternoon that they will align with Republicans in a power-sharing deal to split control of the upper chamber in Albany. More
A chaotic-sounding plan to avoid chaos in Albany
More details today about the power-sharing arrangement State Senator Jeff Klein would like to see, though not necessarily more clarity: "Under a coalition government there doesn't have to be one person in charge," he said, according to the Associated Press. More
Gianaris makes a Cuomo pledge, calls Klein's 'bipartisan' Senate vision 'a cruel hoax'
Michael Gianaris, who led Democrats' efforts to reclaim the State Senate, said he would not seek to undo any of the accomplishments made by fellow Democrat, Governor Andrew Cuomo, if Democrats somehow succeeded in gaining control. More
