NY Senate leadership crisis lingers: Court doesn’t restore Democrats, but GOP session is brief

NY Senate leadership crisis lingers

ALBANY, N.Y. — A leadership crisis in the New York Senate continues after a day of legal maneuvering and confusion in the Capitol.

Republicans and two dissident Democrats briefly reopened the chamber, but their Democratic opponents locked up bills and withheld the stenographer. The insurgents quickly adjourned after one of the dissident Democrats said he wouldn’t vote for any bill.

Meanwhile, a state Supreme Court justice refused to restore Democrats to power. Democrats appealed and won a favorable temporary restraining order. No Senate session is scheduled for Friday, but two more court hearings are.

The coalition seized control of the Senate on Monday in surprise legislation, leaving shocked Democrats to walk out in protest.