State Senate Power

12/4/2012 (Updated 6:49:20 PM)

There is a new ruling coalition in the State Senate, headed by Republicans and including five members of an Independent Democratic Caucus.

A fifth Senator, Malcolm Smith from Queens joined the conference. Smith is rumored to want to run for New York City Mayor as a Republican in 2013.

State Senator Tom Libous helped negotiate the deal. He doesn't see Republicans moderating their positions to accommodate the Independent Democrats, but does see changes in what legislation reaches the floor.

"Other issues that have not been put on the floor or through the committee process or been discussed in committee may now come out. it maybe is time to be a little bit more open," said State Senator Tom Libous.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo commented on the dealings in the senate, saying, Ideally everyone would have waited for all the votes to be counted to see if one side had a clear majority, but as a member of the assembly my main focus will be working with a functioning state senate.