ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Senate Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference say they've struck a deal to take control of the Senate in an unprecedented power-sharing deal.
The announcement appears to dash the hopes of the traditional Democratic conference that it would take majority control after winning more seats in the November elections.
Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos and IDC leader Jeffrey Klein announced the partnership Tuesday. It means the GOP and independent Democrats will share control of moving legislation and even in negotiating a state budget with the Assembly speaker and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The deal will create a third conference for the IDC members under the Senate rules.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 2:49 PM EDT2013-05-16 18:49:22 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-16 11:42:27 GMT
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:03 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:03:28 GMT
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources, days after it was revealed that the Justice Department secretly obtained Associated Press phone records.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:09 AM EDT2013-05-14 10:09:21 GMT
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving.
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan.
