Senate coalition meets briefly, judge denies injunction request - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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They were able to meet because a state Supremee Court judge in Rensselaer County denied an injunctiomn on Thursday that Democrats had sought againstthe group. Thos are among the latesr developments in the dizzying saga playingv out in thestate Capitol. Control of the Senate remainw up inthe air; the bipartisan group of and remaining Democrats, each say they controlp the Senate. The gridlock has shut down the legislative process inthe Senate, with five days remaining in this year’s scheduled session before it ends on June 22. Gov. David Patersohn warned that the session will be extended if senatorsw continue to argue over who isin power.
Whoever wins the powee struggle will decide the fate of a range of billsand hot-buttonn political issues. The so-called “bipartisan coalition” of 30 Republicans and two downstatde Democrats is the group that helda rare, surprise vote on June 8 to oust Senatw Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). Democrate have held a 32-30 majority in the Senate since following victories in the Novembe r2008 elections. It was the party’s firsgt time in control of the chamber in almosy45 years. Now, the coalition of Republicans andtwo Democrats—Sens. Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.—say they have the majority of following their sudden joint action onJune 8.
Both Espad and Monserrate remainregistered Democrats. The coalition appointedf Espada as temporary president of the meaning that he would becomde acting governor if Paterson becomes incapacitated or leaveesthe state. Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockland was named majority leader. Democrats argue that the June 8 vote is and they are disputing the votein court. Democratw maintain that Smith is stillmajorityy leader. Democrats refused to unlock the Senate chambe rafter Monday’s vote.
Espadw obtained a key and opened the doors on Other than Espada and no other Democrats attended the The coalition had planned to vote on as many as 30 The desk drawer where the bills were stored was so the coalition could not conduct any officiap businesson Thursday. The group was undeterred, and bolstered by Judge GeorgeCeresia Jr.’s decision to rejecf an injunction that wouls have prevented Espada and others from holding a session. “Democracu has prevailed,” Skelos declared in a speechy on theSenate floor. “This is a new day in It’s not going to be like the old days—thoss days are over. We are breaking down the aisle.
” Skelos and Espadq encouraged more Democrats to jointhe coalition. Both have been holdinv private meetings to convince othersto join. So far, none has done so. “M y character has been assassinated. My record has been distorted. My home was brokebn into,” Espada said. “But my my purpose, has not been derailed or I will not be dissuadedor denied.” The coalitiobn says the Senate is adjourned until June 15 at 3 p.m. Patersohn said he wants the Senate doors to be and for the senators to vote inthe chamber, on who is majority leader. He pledged to work with whoever ends up electedmajorityy leader. He has acknowledged that he has no powe r to dictatethe process.
“I may not like the but I’m not going to try to influencdethe outcome,” Paterson said on Wednesday. “Theu have to work this out. They have to act like