As speculation mounts about who will control the New York state Senate, two sources told the The Insider that Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein has been in talks recently with both parties about changing the Senate’s rules to allow his Independent Democratic Conference to function as a permanent third caucus.
It’s unclear which party the four-member of the Independent Democratic Conference, if any, will partner with in 2013, or which will hold the majority. Mr. Klein has already met with Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos and last weekend met with Senate Minority Leader John Sampson. An IDC spokesman declined to comment.
Mr. Klein has already said that the IDC will become a permanent third conference in the Senate.
It was not immediately clear what rule changes the IDC is seeking, but one Senate insider noted that a majority conference traditionally appoints committee chairs and members, allocates money for staff budgets and decides whether bills reach the chamber floor. The IDC could also seek powers to make appointments to commissions, control office space allocations and grant positions within their conferences that have little to do with governing, but carry four-figure stipends.
The balance of power in the state Senate could remain with the Republicans regardless of the IDC’s decision if Republican Assemblyman George Amedore wins his battle with Cecilia Tkaczyk, who as of Tuesday was down by 322 votes. That would give the Republicans 32 votes, enough to control the 63-seat Senate. Otherwise, the IDC’s votes could determine who controls the chamber.
Update 11/27 9:42 p.m.
A few hours after this post went up, the Times reported that Mr. Klein favors a coalition government with a Republican Senate, “with joint control over committee agendas, the bills that are taken up on the floor and state budget negotiations.”
