Sunday, February 5, 2017

NY State Senate IDC Conference Grows to 8


The New York State Senate has a Democratic majority, but now eight Democratic members vote with the Republicans and are called the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).

The Independent Democratic Conference will increase its membership to eight lawmakers with the addition of Queens Sen. Jose Peralta.

Peralta in the interview said he was “at a crossroads” when making his decision to leave the mainline Democratic Conference for the IDC, led by Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein.

The mainline Democratic Conference in a statement blasted the move, though did not mention Peralta by name. “It’s mind boggling that while on the national level Democrats are gearing up to resist the Trump Administration and its attempts to move the country backwards we have Democrats here in New York propping up an artificial Republican Majority,” said spokesman Mike Murphy. “We need elected leaders that will put people ahead of personal gain.”

The addition of Peralta came several months after another New York City Democrat, Sen. Jesse Hamilton, announced he would join the IDC late last year. The Conference also added Sen. Marisol Alcantara, whom Klein supported in the Democratic Primary to replace Adriano Espaillat.

Peralta gives the Conference added Diversity and a second Member from Queens alongside Sen. Tony Avella, who is running in a Democratic Primary for Mew York City Mayor.

The IDC is retaining a coalition with Republicans in the State Senate, whose Conference retains a majority with the inclusion of Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who sits with the GOP in the Chamber.

Peralta was first Elected to the Senate in 2010, replacing ousted Sen. Hiram Monserrate who was expelled from the Chamber following a Misdemeanor Assault Conviction involving his girlfriend.











NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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