To bookend a week that began with a coup in Albany which stripped the Senate Democrats of their majority, Senate Dems met to discuss their leadership and future. And while former Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) refused to answer reporters' questions about whether he still headed the Democratic conference, the Democrats apparently told Smith that he's out and that Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) will be the "conference's de facto boss." more ›

Apparently feeling that an Albany power struggle is better suited amongst the actual players than in a courtroom, state Supreme Court judge Thomas McNamara told the warring Senate Democrats and Republicans, "It would be in everyone's best interests if the Senate over the weekend got together and with calmer heads resolved that among yourselves," pointing out, "There are three coequal branches of government. We have our job, the Senate has their job and the governor's office has their job. The courts certainly do, on occasions that are appropriate, venture into other areas -- but there is a reluctance to do that." more ›

A memo outlining a (now failed) power sharing deal! Plots to overthrow the leader! Gays jamming phone lines! The State Senate Democrats are delivering an end-of-the-year bonanza of insanity for all of us good boys and girls! Or maybe it's because we were bad? more ›