New York Gov. Cuomo on Tuesday called on the Fractured State Senate Democrats to accept a Reunification Proposal put forward by Four Party Leaders. Cuomo said he strongly Supports the Reunification Plan that threatens to have the State Party back Primaries against a group of Eight breakaway Senate Democrats if they don't accept the Terms or Call for a change in Leadership in the Mainline Democratic Conference. "I urge both sides to stop their intramural disputes and unify because we have real issues," Cuomo said during an appearance in Syracuse.
Cuomo previously had downplayed the importance of having a Democratic Senate. But as he heads into his 2018 Reelection year, he has been under increasing pressure from the Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party that accused him of preferring the Split to working to Reunify the fractured Democrats in hopes of Securing a Majority.
State Dems demand that Breakaway Pols start Acting like Democrats. Shortly after the Reunification Proposal was put out publicly in a letter from State Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said her Conference would accept the Terms. But Senator Jeffrey Klein, who Heads the Eight-Member Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), on Tuesday dismissed the Letter from Party Leaders as a "political document." "There's not one policy issue in there," Klein said.
He said his Conference can only agree to Reunify if the Senate Dems publicly support a host of Progressive Issues. Among the Issues he cited were Bills to strengthen Abortion Laws, enact a State DREAM Act, create a State Public Campaign Finance system, and Adopt a Single-Payer Health Care program.
"I just want them to commit to supporting us working together to get these things done," Klein said. "When they have these forums all over our districts, the constant mantra is we're blocking this stuff. We're not blocking this stuff. The best way to get these things to move forward is that we get a commitment that the Senate Democrats support these things as well." He said that doesn't mean the Democrats need to Guarantee there are enough Votes for Passage, just that they will Work Jointly with the IDC toward trying to get them done.
Meanwhile, the Senate Republicans who have worked the past several years with the Breakaway Democrats said in a statement from Spokesman Scott Reif that "there's a time for politics and a time for governing, and it's unfortunate that some in Albany can't ever separate the two." "Based on our record of delivering for taxpayers and their families, we fully expect to grow our Majority next year," Reif said. "In the meantime, we are hopeful that everyone involved will continue to work together to move this state forward because it is the best interest of the people of New York."
The Reunification Proposal was put out Monday by Chairman and Vice Chairman of the State Democratic Party, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, respectively, Rep. Joseph Crowley, of Queens, who Chairs the House Democratic Caucus, and Hector Figueroa, President of the influential Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union.
Under the Parameters laid out in the letter, both sides will Pledge to come together to win Special Elections for Two Open Senate Seats. Cuomo, according to the Letter, is expected to call the Special Election post Budget, which likely means in April. That also means the Senate GOP will remain in the Majority for the Budget Talks.
If the Dems pick up both Seats in the Special Election, the Two Sides, under the Proposed Deal, will Create their Own Majority Coalition with Members from each Side serving as Co-Leaders of the Chamber. That also assumes that a Ninth Breakaway Democrat, Brooklyn Sen. Simcha Felder, who actually Caucuses with the GOP, returns to the fold and sits with the Democrats.
Both Sides, under the proposed Deal, would have to Approve which Bills come to the Senate Floor for a Vote. And their lLaders would be able to attend Budget and Bill Negotiations with the Governor and Assembly Speaker, the Letter said. The Two Sides would also have to Refrain from Participating in Primary Challenges against Incumbent Senators. The mainline Dems have threatened Primaries against the IDC if there is No Reunification.
Dems seek Unity to give Party Control of New York State Senate. Both Sides would also be able to Approve each other's Deputy Leaders and work together on Campaigns.
The Working Families Party (WFP) took a jab at the IDC. They wanted an Expedited process toward Democratic Unity in the Senate. A Plan floated by the State Democratic Committee and backed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo would not come to fruition until May.
The WFP, a Labor-aligned group that has been at odds with Cuomo, want the Reconciliation to take place at the Start of the Year. That would be difficult, potentially, given a Special Election to fill two Senate Seats would not be called until those Seats are actually empty come January. “The attacks from Trump and his Republican allies have been nothing short of a catastrophe for our nation,” said State Director Bill Lipton. “Despite that, Jeff Klein and his IDC colleagues continue to put their personal power and perks ahead of the interests of New York’s working families. We reiterate our demand that all Democrats come together in a unified resistance to Trump and his allies by the beginning of the 2018 legislative session. If not, the WFP remains committed to running progressive Working Families Democrats against any and all Trump Democrats.”
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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