In Sickness, State Senate Can (Momentarily) Agree

The State Senate's debate over the $132 billion state budget was first delayed by the GOP's unhappiness with how the Democratic majority handled issues (and all the taxes). Then the sickness of State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Westchester, Bronx) delayed things again yesterday, because she was taken to the hospital, following her Tuesday diagnosis of walking pneumonia. Her vote is necessary, because the State Constitution requires 32 Senate votes to pass bills and the Democrats only have a 32-30 majority. This morning, PolitickerNY reports Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and Minority Leader Dean Skelos agreed to let her vote yes on the remaining eight budget bills—and then go home to rest. Skelos told Hassell-Thompson, "We ask God to give you a speedy recovery, because in the Senate we are one family," while Smith said, "This is a day where, obviously our chamber distinguished itself. We are all colleagues, notwithstanding our political disagreements." Um, how about the family of colleagues work on that MTA plan.