The [Green] Capitol Insider - 6.9.09 - Special Edition

Chaos Reigns: New York State Senate Flips

Yesterday afternoon, as members of Environmental Advocates of New York’s crackerjack staff and Board of Directors were busy meeting with State Senators to encourage them to reduce the state’s contributions to global warming, a coup took place. After a mere five months in the driver’s seat, the Majority became the Minority once more.

Thanks to the public support of at least two rebel Democratic senators, Pedro Espada, Jr. (Bronx) and Hiram Monserrate (Queens), the Republicans have taken control of the State Senate in a series of parliamentary maneuvers.

These last two weeks of the Legislative Session are when the rubber really hits the road in Albany. Legislators move bills out of committee and onto the floor for a vote at all hours of the day and night. This year, however, will be more exciting than most for obvious reasons.

Given the hyper-partisan atmosphere in the State Capital, it may surprise some to learn that all the chaos aside, legislation to cut New York’s share of global warming pollution still holds promise. A bill that would cut climate-altering greenhouse gases 80 percent by the year 2050 has bipartisan support in the Senate and could still move to the floor before session’s end.

For now, the Legislature is adjourned until Wednesday and new committee assignments are in the works.

We’ll reach out to you with news from Albany on Monday, June 15^th, if not sooner.

Click here to read more in the New York Times, also here and here.

The Times Union has great analysis and video here.

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Bills on the Move

Every week during the State Legislative Session, Environmental Advocates of New York looks at the measures that will impact the environment for good or ill. Here are this week’s Bills on the Move.

Click here to learn more about these measures and what each will do to help or hurt New York’s natural resources.

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