Well, after more than a month of Senate deadlock the senate has resumed its official business. So, what has changed?
Nothing, but a name, thats it. The whole deadlock was caused by Pedro Espada who left the democratic party because he felt the leadership was not doing a good enough job and was not working with Republicans. So, he switched sides in an attempt to force the issue. Then last night Espada decided to return to the democratic party returning the 32-30 majority to the dems. Only with a catch, he becoem majority leader. The deal was accepted.
Thats right, the guy who decided to address the leadership and partisan issue by creating deadlock in the state senate, essentially halting all productive action, has been put in charge of the senate. WTF?! The guy hijacks the Senate and they appease him! Now, i as much as anyone, is in support of creating rules changes in the senate and would like to see senators have more power and more transparancy. However, something has to be said about debating these things on the floor like a mature democratic system was designed to do.
That did not happen. Espada hijacked the senate and they reward him for his “leadership quailities”. I am ashamed to admit i am a democrat in New York. The Dems should have told Espada that they will be more than happy to create rules changes and transparency in the senate, but you will not be leading the senate. I think Espada had some good issues that needed to be addressed, but what he did proves he does not belong in a leadership position. The only proof that anyone needs is the fact that he acted like a child throwing a tantrum to get what he wants.
To further prove the point that the whole debacle changed almost nothing is the fact that the senate decided to pass over 160 pieces of legislation during the dead of night after the logjam ended. So, after all that, they couldn’t wait till the morning to talk about the bills and pass them then?
The only thing people should be thinking about now is 2010. What deal do you think was cut with the Republicans for the re-drawing of lines after the census. I know this plays into it some how, i just am not sure of the details.
So, don’t worry everyone, the NYS Senate is back and everything is going to go back to the way it was….stupid dysfunctional government.
