A Majority is a Majority is a Majority

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:09:45 -0400

The Times Union has more on the surprisingly complicated subject of Lt. Governor David Paterson's theoretical ability to tip the balance in favor of the Democrats in case of a tie in the state Senate.

From the Times Union:

The notion of a casting vote is that the lieutenant governor would have the right to break ties. It would probably not give the lieutenant governor the right to vote to force a tie.

Nonetheless, the Constitution in describing the manner in which a bill becomes a law provides the following: "Nor shall any bill be passed or become a law, except by the assent of a majority of the members elected to each branch of the legislature."

This provision means a bill can be passed only when the majority of the members of each house vote for the bill.

The lieutenant governor is not a member of the state Senate. With 62 members, the affirmative votes of 32 members are needed to pass a bill. If a vote on a bill is 31-31, it does not pass, and the lieutenant governor is not authorized by the Constitution to vote on the bill.

So for anyone who's still wondering, the Democrats need a three-seat swing -- giving them a plain old free-and-clear majority -- to regain control.

-- Azi Paybarah

Observer » A Majority is a Majority is a Majority

A Majority is a Majority is a Majority