Possible reasons for Espada and Monserrate's participation in NY Senate coup

[madeline_con]

Dem Defections Give GOP Control Of New York Senate

Shortly after the coup, Republicans named Espada temporary president of the Senate and Republican Dean Skelos of Nassau County vice president and majority leader. Skelos was majority leader in 2008.

Those are the most powerful positions in the chamber. With them, the bipartisan coalition can direct legislation and reassign committee and leadership posts.

The coup throws into doubt the movement to legalize same-sex marriage...

Another major issue has a hard deadline. A law giving the New York City mayor greater control of New York City schools is scheduled to expire at the end of the month unless the full Legislature acts. Senate Democrats have sought to take away some of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's authority while maintaining overall mayoral control. But Bloomberg and the Senate's Republican conference have been very close on policy and the billionaire mayor has funded many of their campaigns.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/08/dem-defections-give-gop-c_n_212782.html

2 Schools Bloomberg Started Cited for Poor Performance

By ELISSA GOOTMAN
Published: March 2, 2009
Two new schools created as part of the Bloomberg administration’s effort to replace large, abysmal high schools with collections of small schools were named Monday to the state’s list of failing schools.

The state list, known as Schools Under Registration Review, is made up of schools that the state’s Education Department deems to be performing so poorly that it has the authority to shut them down if they do not improve.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/education/03surr.html

Pedro Espada and John Catsimatidis Trade Barbs
February 20, 2009
A Bronx state senator and a billionaire mayoral candidate traded charges Thursday that one’s a miser and the other is stiffing him on the rent.

And no, the billionaire is not Mayor Bloomberg.

State Sen. Pedro Espada, who runs the Soundview Healthcare Network, said he’s being forced to close one of his longtime facilities today because it can no longer meet “the astronomical rent demands” of its landlord, billionaire businessman and mayoral wannabe John Catsimatidis.
http://www.nypolitics.com/2009/02/20/pedro-espada-and-john-catsimatidis-trade-barbs/

New NY Senate President Wants Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x136585

State Senate gives Pedro Espada one week to file all campaign finance reports
By Barbara Ross

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 4:00 AM

State Sentate leaders Monday gave Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. one week to file all his campaign finance reports, citing a "recurring failure" to do so exposed by the Daily News.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) also ordered the Bronx Democrat to pay related fines within one week.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/05/12/2009-05-12_bronx_pol_gets_a_week_to_clean_up_his_campaign_finance_mess.html#ixzz0HziDYJKP&D

Is Bloomberg helping Espada get his ass out of the sling?

Monserrate was caught on tape abusing his girlfriend. He was charged with felony assault and said the Queens D.A.'s office was trying to get revenge for earlier remarks he'd made about them. Then...

"Mr. Monserrate, 41, said after the hearing that prosecutors had discussed with him the possibility of pleading guilty to a nonfelony charge with no jail time. “I said unequivocally no to that because I am innocent,” he said."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/nyregion/28monserrate.html?_r=1

Monserrate caved to save his ass.

[aquart]

1. Bloomberg? Is he a friend of Golisano?

Golisano is touted as the billionaire bastard behind this.

[ejpoeta]

3. i'm sure they are buds. and hey, if golisano is leaving ny for florida...

can't he go fuck with them and leave us alone here?

[monmouth]

5. Thanks. That's all we need is one more friggin' criminal down here..LOL...n/t

[ejpoeta]

6. well, golisano doesn't want to pay state taxes. and you have no state income tax.

so...

[monmouth]

7. True, true...sigh...n/t

[eilen]

4. they did it, likely for campaign money from Golisano

who is trying to use his influence (money) to stop the NYS government from raising taxes on the obscenely rich. Pretty ballsy. I hope he stays in Florida.

[madeline_con]

8. No, Golisano wants Bloomberg's office. n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Yesterday Bloomburg made comments on the republican coup.

He didn't condemn or praise it. He only said that he was certain that whoever controlled the Senate would keep his control over the NYC schools and allow the City to raise its sales tax.