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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Feuding Senate Has NY State Seeing Double

'Farcical' legislators make mayhem; gov blasts proceedings

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(Newser) – New York got two state senates for the price of one yesterday as lawmakers held side-by-side sessions, with each party passing its own bills, the New York Times reports. Dems got to the chamber first and locked out Republicans. When the GOP was finally allowed in, members were barred from the rostrum—so one headed a session from the floor, the New York Post reports.

When the Dems' session began, so did the shouting match. “Don't you dare tell me I'm out of order!” a Democrat yelled to the presiding Republican. "You're out of order!" The Republican session “passed” 85 bills, to some laughter; Dems managed to “pass” 14. But it’s not clear whether the moves count for anything. “The conduct today was farcical,” said Gov. David Paterson.

New York state sens. chat during a New York Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
New York state sens. chat during a New York Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York Gov. David Paterson gives a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
New York Gov. David Paterson gives a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
Sen. George Winner holds a gavel during a New York Senate session yesterday. Winner was denied access to the podium at the session's start, so he presided over the passage of bills from the floor.
Sen. George Winner holds a gavel during a New York Senate session yesterday. Winner was denied access to the podium at the session's start, so he presided over the passage of bills from the floor.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York state sens. talk with Senate Secretary Angelo Aponte, top right, during a New York Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
New York state sens. talk with Senate Secretary Angelo Aponte, top right, during a New York Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
New York state Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, right, speaks with Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, during a Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
New York state Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, right, speaks with Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, during a Senate session at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
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This is turning into the worst reality TV show ever: 'I’m a Senator, Get Me Out of Here.' Jon and Kate are fighting less than these guys.
- Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County executive

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2 comments
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psycada
Jun 24, 09 12:26 PM CDT
As a New York citizen, I am equally embarrassed as I am pissed off that these ass-clowns wasted the last two weeks of session while completely disregarding the will of the people who elected the democratic majority. It should be against the law to switch parties mid-term. If you want to switch parties, do it when you're up for reelection and let your constituents decide if they want you to do so. Switching mid-term spits directly in the face of those who elected them in the first place. The same applies to Arlen Spector. Where has all the common sense gone? Reply
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SPH
Jun 25, 09 1:36 PM CDT
You must have missed the NEWSER article from a few weeks ago....Common sense was bought and paid for by some lobbying firm.....
Vote up! Vote down!
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