By Howard Koplowitz
An Albany judge’s refusal to rule on the Senate Democrats’ case against the coup that gave the GOP control of the chamber further facilitated disagreement between the two parties Tuesday, capping off a week that saw state Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst) go from siding with Republicans to returning to the Democratic fold.
Monserrate insisted Tuesday that his decision to vote with Republicans and rogue state Sen. Pedro Espada (D-Bronx) was done out of a need to reform Albany and not for personal gain.
On Monday, Monserrate backtracked from caucusing with the Republicans and went back to the Democrats.
He said the Senate needed a change of leadership and was pleased with his colleagues’ unanimous vote to appoint state Sen. John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) as leader of the Senate Democrats.
Monserrate said the move showed the party was serious about reforming the way the Senate operates.
Republicans rebuffed the Democrats’ offer of a joint power-sharing proposal as Gov. David Paterson urged both parties to come to a resolution on the leadership dispute.
