Judge orders the State Senators to an extraordinary session - 10 am tomorrow
And here is a big surprise - the GOP is appealing the decision.
via Rnews - (I heard this via the Press conference they broadcast)
A judge has ordered all 62 New York State senators to a special session Tuesday.
The order came down Monday afternoon and is likely an attempt to end the power struggle in the Senate that has been going on for over two weeks.
Our Albany sources say lawyers for the Republicans are immediately appealing the decision Tuesday.
Liz Benjamin has more including the Judges harsh words.
State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi handed Gov. David Paterson a significant victory this afternoon, ruling that each and every member of the deadlocked state Senate - all 62 of them - must convene at the same time in the chamber when the governor calls an extraordinary session.
The judge (who happens to be a Democrat) made no secret of his contempt for the Senate mess and issued a harsh rebuke to the senators from the bench.
“You have a unique opportunity as elected officials to take the high road; do the right thing for the greater good,” Teresi said.
“Otherwise there are those citizens of the public who would conclude, if they have not already concluded, that these members have placed their own interests ahead of all other citizens of this state to the benefit of their own personal and selfish interests, and that those same people may also conclude and define that conduct as rude, inconsiderate and egotistical.
UPDATE: In what might be a signal of the Democrats’ intentions, (aside from the fact that their legal team did not, unlike the GOP, come to court armed with a notice of appeal), Austin Shafran, spokesman to Sen. Malcolm Smith, issued the following statement:
“Once again, the Republicans have proved our point - for them, it’s all about the power, titles and June 8th. After being compelled by a judge to join Senate Democrats in the Chamber, the Republicans immediately challenged the ruling with the hope of prolonging the gridlock they have brought to Albany.”
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