Confusion continues to reign in Albany following last week's attempted coup in the New York State senate. The latest?
Senator Hiram Monserrate, one of two Democrats who initially sided with Republicans to give them a 32-to-30 majority, has switched his allegiances again and plans to reaffirm himself as a member of the Democratic caucus, two people close to Mr. Monserrate said on Monday morning.
This after his fellow renegade, Pedro Espada said yesterday:
"Monserrate stays with Espada, and Espada stays put, too," Mr. Espada said, adding that he expected the Senate to begin its session on Monday afternoon regardless of whether Democrats show up. "We need to get back to business."
So, with the senate tied at 31 -31, who's in charge?
If each side has 31 members, that means neither the Democrats or Republicans would have the 32 votes necessary to change the Senate’s leadership structure. Ordinarily the lieutenant governor would cast a tiebreaking vote, but that position has been vacant since David A. Paterson replaced Eliot Spitzer as governor in March 2008.
Great. So now New Yorkers will have to wait for the court to decide if the coup was legal, although they are doing their best to stay out of it. So far the only word has been from Justice Thomas J. McNamara, who said:
I am directing each of you to go to work across the street.
That's helpful.