Future uncertain in state Senate

The Island Now

It’s a stunning thought that the next session of the New York State Legislature could begin without an answer as to which party will control the Senate. Officials say it could take weeks, even months, before the results of handful of races become official.

That means that the familiar logjam will be already be in place before the Legislature returns to Albany. The balance of power hinges on the outcome three races, one of them in the 7th State Senatorial District in Nassau County where Mineola Mayor Jack Martins, a Republican, holds a slim lead over Democrat incumbent Craig Johnson.

If the preliminary results stand the Republicans will regain control of the Senate with a narrow 32-30 seat majority.

Thousands of absentee and emergency ballots have still not been counted. Fortunately the problem is not the state’s new paper-ballot system or a dispute at any of the polling site like happened in nearby Bridgeport, CT., where some sites ran out of paper ballots on Election Day. Normally there are not enough paper ballots to affect the outcome of a race.

The State Assembly will remain firmly in control of the Democrats.

GOP Senate leader Dean Skelos, (R-Rockville Centre) said he is confident about the results of the recount.

“I’d like it to be over with,” he said, “but I’m certainly not nervous about it”.

Unlike Skelos, Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson said he is not particularly concerned about how long the recount takes. He told New York State Public radio, “You can’t put a time frame on democracy or the democratic process.”

That’s scary talk coming from a man who shared in the responsibility for a state budget that came in four months late. In Albany there is no “time frame” on democracy.

Unfortunately the undecided races will tie the hands of Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo who will need to move quickly to resolve the state’s budget crisis. Cuomo has promised that he will not raise taxes. In that case he will have to cut spending and that won’t be easy to do without the Legislature’s support.

It is even possible that when the recount is over the state Senate will be divided 31-31. In that case the lieutenant governor, a Democrat, will become the tie breaker.

The Republicans are already disputing the extent of the lieutenant governor’s role as a tie breaker.

Things could get ugly before they get better.

Editorial (Nov. 19, 2010)

 

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