INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE, SENATE REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE CREATION OF HISTORIC BIPARTISAN PARTNERSHIP
Establishes New Governing Model for NY State Senate,
Ensures Unprecedented Progress for NY
Senator
Dean G. Skelos, leader of the Senate Republican Conference, and Senator
Jeffrey D. Klein, leader of the Independent Democratic Conference,
today joined together to announce an historic bipartisan partnership to
continue the tremendous progress that has been achieved over the past
two years in New York State. This new bipartisan governing coalition
guarantees a fiscally responsible, fully functional Senate that will
continue to produce positive results for all New Yorkers.
Two years ago, Independent
Democrats and Senate Republicans put partisan differences aside to end
the dysfunction, gridlock and reckless fiscal policies of the previous
Senate leadership. This partnership returned function and order to the
Senate Chamber, restored fiscal integrity, and produced remarkable
accomplishments that have benefited all New Yorkers. Today’s agreement
marks a bold new chapter in this partnership that will allow the Senate
to continue pushing New York State forward, while ensuring that there
will be no returning to the failed leadership of the past.
Of tremendous importance is
the bipartisan coalition government’s commitment to working with
Governor Cuomo on progressive policy issues that benefit all New Yorkers
in the next legislative session.
Senator Skelos said, “The
Senate Republican Conference has worked closely with the Independent
Democratic Conference and Governor Cuomo to bring historic progress to
New York. We’ve brought spending under control, ended Albany
dysfunction, and consistently delivered the bipartisan results New
Yorkers need and deserve -- even on many of the most difficult issues.
Senator Klein has proven to be a thoughtful and effective leader, and I
look forward to partnering with him to move this state forward.”
Senator Klein said, “Over
the past two years, members of the IDC and Senate Republicans have shown
that the best way to overcome New York’s biggest challenges is by
working in a constructive, bipartisan way. Legislating is a
deliberative, cooperative process—not a spectator sport. Having
dedicated the past two years to a serious, policy-driven agenda, this
agreement delivers on the IDC’s pledge to become a permanent third
conference within the State Senate and to have a major voice in all
policy decisions moving forward. Having worked together over the past
two years, I know that Senator Skelos is not only an effective leader,
but is as committed as I am to delivering major bipartisan results for
all New Yorkers.”
Under the
unprecedented agreement, the Independent Democratic Conference will be
formally recognized as a third, permanent Senate conference. Senator
Klein and Senator Skelos will assume the roles of Conference Leader for
their respective conferences and will administer joint and equal
authority over (1) the daily senate agenda (a/k/a the “Active List,”
which lays out which bills will be voted on each day), (2) the state
budget, (3) appointments to state and local boards, and (4) leadership
and committee assignments for their respective conferences. Under the
agreement, coalition leaders will need to work together to lead the
Senate forward. The new agreement will also provide for a process by
which the title of Temporary President will alternate between the two
conference leaders every two weeks. Therefore, the role of the temporary
resident will be constitutionally fulfilled at all times.
This partnership will be
memorialized in the Senate’s rules for the upcoming legislative session.
The two conferences, which will form the governing coalition, will be
recognized in the 2013-2014 Senate Rules as the Senate Majority
Coalition.
Senator Tom Libous (R-C-I,
Binghamton) said, “Today, we are taking steps to formalize our existing
partnership through a new Senate Majority Coalition, which we believe is
the best, most effective way to ensure that true bipartisanship and
meaningful progress will continue in Albany. My constituents want
Democrats and Republicans to work together to achieve real results that
improve their lives, and that's what we are going to do in cooperation
with the IDC.”
Senator Diane Savino
(D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said, “Two years ago, we realized that in
order to serve our constituents effectively, we needed to take the
politics out of policymaking. That’s what we’ve done since forming the
IDC and that’s what we’ll continue to do as part of the new coalition
government. Our constituents, particularly mine, cannot afford the type
of political gamesmanship that has, in the past, overrun a healthy and
functioning legislature. We’re here to accomplish the people’s business
and that’s why we’ve formed this historic bipartisan coalition.”
Senator George D. Maziarz
(R-Newfane) said, “Today is a great day for all New Yorkers as we move
forward and announce the new Senate Majority Coalition. I can work with
anyone to get things done for the people of my district and am excited
to continue on the path to move New York forward -- and doing so in a
bi-partisan fashion.”
Senator
David Valesky (D-Oneida) “Today is a great day for government in New
York State. By building a bipartisan coalition of Senators from across
the state, we will remake the New York State Senate with a bold new
model, where partnership is valued over partisanship, and a focus on
important issues will be at the forefront. This coalition will enable
stability, functionality and a wide-ranging legislative agenda that will
benefit the people of New York. I look forward to working with my
colleagues in a productive legislative session that will hopefully serve
as an example for governance.”
Senator
John A. DeFrancisco (R-C-I, Syracuse) said, “My constituents are
looking for a bipartisan government to get things done. We’ve had great
success working with the Independent Democrat Conference over the past
two years to pass on-time budgets that reduced state spending, lowered
taxes and helped create new private sector jobs. The new coalition will
allow this team that has worked so well together to continue the
progress we’ve made for the benefit of all the people of this state.”
Senator
David Carlucci (D-Rockland) said, “In order to bring meaningful results
to New York families and businesses, we need to break down party
barriers and work across the aisle. This bipartisan agreement will help
us do exactly that. By taking the politics out of policymaking, I know
that we’ll achieve big things for all New Yorkers.”
Senator
Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn) said, “The new bipartisan coalition will
be an effective way to ensure that we continue to move New York
forward. The people of this state want their representatives to work
together to address the issues that impact their lives and, particularly
important to the people of my district, work with other state and
federal leaders to help us recover and rebuild from the devastation of
hurricane Sandy.”
Senator John Bonacic
(R,C,I-Mount Hope) said, “The recently formed coalition between the
Senate Republican Conference and the Independent Democrat Conference is
good news for the hardworking people of our great state. The coalition,
which has been working together for the past two years with Governor
Cuomo, will ensure a functional and productive Senate working in a
bipartisan way to provide solutions to the great challenges we all face
in the coming year.”
