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State Senate Leadership Decided By Splitting the Baby
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 5, 2008
Modified Dec 5, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 5, 2008
Modified Dec 5, 2008
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After weeks of hold outs preventing the fate of the State Senate leadership to be announced, the parties have agreed to a Solomonic deal: The NY Times explains that Malcolm Smith, the former Senate minority leader, "would be elected president pro tempore, a constitutional office that makes him the chamber’s leader," while Senator-elect Ruben Espada Jr. "would be elected to what would be the subordinate post of majority leader and appointed vice chairman of the Rules Committee, which must approve all legislation that goes through the Senate." This is based on a handshake deal from Smith, Espada, Senator Ruben Diaz, and Senator Carl Kruger (the latter two also get big roles)--and it still needs to be approved. And rumor has it that the deal was reached partly because Smith agreed he wouldn't bring up same-sex marriage during the next session.
Tagged
carl kruger
Gang of Four
Malcolm Smith
ny state senate
Ruben Diaz
Ruben Espada
Senate leadership
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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