NY Senate Democrats seek temporary court order to keep bipartisan coalition from taking power

NY Senate Dems seek court order against coalition

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state Democratic Senate leader Malcolm Smith is seeking a temporary court order to stop Senate Republicans and two dissident Democrats from taking power in a surprise move that’s left Albany reeling.

Smith spokesman Austin Shafran says the Democrats won’t enter the Senate chamber while it’s governed by what they call unlawful rules.

Republicans and two Democrats maneuvered a secret power play Monday, apparently ousting the Senate leader and flipping control of the chamber. Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens joined with the Republican minority to form a bipartisan coalition with a 32-30 majority.

No one knows for sure whether the power grab will hold.