By Alex Robinson
Democratic state senators in Albany have agreed to mend the fences between the mainstream party and the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference in a move that will take effect after the fall elections.
The IDC, which has come under heavy fire from Democrats in Queens, has a power-sharing agreement with the Republicans in the upper chamber of the state Legislature.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and IDC head state Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) announced the reunification in a joint statement Wednesday afternoon.
“I applaud the IDC’s decision. There is no doubt that we have accomplished much for the state over the past four years,” Cuomo said. “We have transformed the state government from dysfunctional to highly functional, a deficit to a surplus, and losing jobs to gaining jobs. There is also no doubt there are progressive goals that we have yet to achieve and that we must accomplish next January.”
The rogue group of five IDC state senators has controlled the Senate with the Republicans since 2012.
Klein heralded the IDC’s legislative achievements, but said it was time for the group to get back to its progressive roots.
“Yet as we reflect on these past achievements, it is also clear that core Democratic policy initiatives that the IDC championed remain unfinished,” Klein said. “As Democrats, the IDC remains committed to the fight for an equal education for all New York students, which the Dream Act would provide; protecting a woman’s right to choose; increasing workers’ wages; and enacting meaningful campaign finance reform.”
The announcement followed speculation the IDC was in discussions with the Democratic leadership to form a new majority coalition as at least two of its members confronted primary opponents.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), who angered many fellow Democrats in the borough by joining the IDC in February, is facing a strong challenge from former City Comptroller John Liu. Former Attorney General Oliver Koppell has launched a bid to unseat Klein in the Bronx.
It was unclear how the reunification of the two factions will affect these races.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
