GOP Can Take Control Of State Senate After Defecting Dems Take New Sides

Hometown boy Dean Skelos could be getting his job back as the NYS Senate Majority LeaderIn a stunning day in Albany, the Democratic majority in the New York State Legislature was seemingly eradicated when two senators from New York City defected and voted with the Republicans. The Democrats have only held control since January, 2009.

If the GOP were to take the reigns back, Long Island’s Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) could regain his seat as Majority Leader should the control swing back to the Republicans.

Two Democrats, Sen. Pedro Espada (D-Bronx) and  Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) stood with the Senate’s 30 Republicans and supported a motion that would give the power back to the GOP.

The Democrats are crying foul.

““This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic Majority. Nothing has changed, Senator Malcolm A. Smith remains the duly elected Temporary President and Majority Leader,” said Austin Shafran, Press Secretary for Sen. Smith.  “The real Senate Majority is anxious to get back to governing, and will take immediate steps to get us back to work.”

Skelos held the position of Majority Leader briefly after former Sen. Joe Bruno retured last year. After the November election saw the GOP lose its majority for the first time in nearly four decades, Skelos was replaced by Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens).