Big Red

Diaz, Defiant

State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was not kidding about voting “No” on the budget extender.

In debate in the Senate Chamber this evening, Diaz made very clear he would not vote for an emergency bill that contains cuts, making it look like Democrats, with a slim control of the Senate, will need Republicans for every Read More

An Amigo Meal

ALBANY—The State Senate’s four amigos will meet for lunch today, to discuss anything and everything.

“We’re going to be discussing everything. Everything! The agenda for next year.” Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. told me by phone this morning, after his office put out an advisory that the meal would be taking place–at the Nautilus Diner Read More

Skelos and Sampson Met to Discuss Republican Chairmanships

ALBANY—John Sampson and Dean Skelos, the leaders of their party’s respective conferences in the State Senate, met this morning to discuss the prospect of Republicans taking over the chairmanship of several committees, a Democratic spokesman said.

“Because the discussions are still ongoing, I cannot confirm the members of the committees,” said Austin Shafran, the spokesman, Read More

With Sampson’s Support, Malcolm Smith Might Just Hang On

ALBANY—Malcolm Smith is supposed to leave the top post in the State Senate with the New Year. But nothing in the chamber is ever that easy.

Smith, a Queens Democrat who was

“He’s like an ambassador for the State Senate,” said his spokesman, Austin Shafran. He added that Smith and Sampson “have an outstanding Read More