Examiner.com
New York
http://www.examiner.com/x-6452-NY-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m6d11-Inside-the-Albany-coup-part-II
Earlier today State Republicans, along with rogue Democrats Pedro Espada Jr. and Sen. Hiram Monserrate attempted to hold the first state senate session since the coup this past Monday. The session was shortlived, however because Monserrate of Jackson Heights Queens left almost immediately, stating that he was looking to bring in more Democrats to the meeting. He later stated that he would vote “no” on all of the new proposals brought by Skelos until the Democratic electeds returned to the halls of Albany. To further complicate any matters for those present in the chambers, Democratic members allegedly had hidden all of the bills and other paper work needed to get any work done.
Meanwhile Malcolm Smith and twenty Democratic representatives spent the day in court after the former majority leader filed a lawsuit earlier in the week, claiming the take-over was illegal. The judge denied the claims and allowed the sessions to move forward. The case will now move to the State Supreme court tomorrow at 9:15am. David Patterson is expected watch the outcome closely. The Democrats did receive two minor victories, however. A Kingston Appellate Division judge issued a temporary restraining order that will prevent Senator Espada from becoming president of the Senate until a decision is handed down possibly as early as Friday, according to James T. Madore of News Day.
There are now also signs that Hiram Monserrate may be considering voting with his own party and caucus with the Democrats. Such a move would create even more chaos in the final two weeks of the Senate’s normal operating period. As a side note, Pedro Espada claims that his home was broken into by protestors who were angry over his role in the coup.
State Republicans were met in the morning by protesters from the group Citizen Action, among others. The crowd chanted “Voters Not Donors” while holding signs, some of which said, “Senate Not For Sale”. In Rochester the offices of Paychex, which is owned billionaire Tom Golisano, also was also the site of protests. Golisano, who broke with the Democratic body after he felt betrayed by the tax hikes on the State’s wealthiest, has since backed Espada and the Republicans and may be responsible for orchestrating the takeover. The groups Citizen Action stated that, “Today we sent a strong message that a billionaire’s political power grab will not silence the people’s reform agenda – legislation that would create affordable health care and housing, environmental protections, marriage equality, and public financing of elections.” Citizen Action, along with other groups like Tenant Pac, are expected to flood the telephone lines in order to get Democrats out to the voting booths in November. Friday, the group Community Association for Safe Apartments will hold a rally in front of Pedro Espada’s empty district office in the Bronx. For those who wish to attend, the address is 400 E. Fordham Road, at Webster Ave. The rally starts at 11:30Am.
As this unholy dance continues, legislation which would preserve rent stabilization and a move closer to home rule for New York City now sits in Limbo. Pedro Espada Jr’s Bronx district is made up largely of rent stabilized tenants, which should raise more than a few eyebrows when considering the fact that Republicans, who receive more landlord funding than most Democrats, are often hostile to rent regulation itself. Espada’s decision to sell his own constituents up the river came after Senate Democrats denied earmarks to two organizations connected to Espada, either directly or by proxy. As I wrote in a previous report, the first organization “Green ECO Energy Incorporated” is run by Daniel Pagano who works part time as Espada’s lawyer. The center also shares the same address as Espada’s political action committee and the home of Dr. David C. Collymore, who works as the medical director at the Soundview center, which was found by Espada.
In short, the Senator was trying to strong-arm members of his own party to fund groups that directly benefit Espada – or he was going to sell those who voted for him and his own party up the river. There’s a name for any entity operating in this fashion, it’s called a rogue. When one also considers the fact that Espada is under investigation for questionable election funding practices which brought Soundview Center under Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s scrutiny, it maybe time to consider the recalling of Pedro Espada. Even those in his district, according to people I’ve talked to, are disgusted with the state Senator and would have preferred to vote for someone else.
Until next time….
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