'Banana republic' antics erupt in NY Senate (OneNewsNow.com)

'Banana republic' antics erupt in NY Senate (OneNewsNow.com)

Our next step - Charles Schumer HAS TO BE VOTED OUT!

Efforts by Democrats in the New York State Senate to ram through legislation this session legalizing same-sex "marriage" and raising taxes have been derailed by two defections from their party that some are calling a "political coup."



Democrats took control of the New York State Senate following last November's election for the first time in 40 years. They assumed power with a two-seat advantage -- 32-30. However, two Democratic state senators have now entered into a power-sharing deal with the GOP because they are upset with the leadership of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Smith has since lost the titles of majority leader and Senate president due to the power shift.

David Corbin, assistant professor of politics at The King's College in New York City, says the new Senate has until the end of the month to come up with a state budget and address a large budget shortfall in the Big Apple.

"New York City residents are particularly interested in what's going on in Albany because they have [an] $850-million shortfall and what...the mayor and the city council of New York have asked for is a sales tax increase," Corbin explains.

"Now, with the changing leadership dynamic in the Senate, that whole tax could be in doubt, never mind the overall operations of New York state government," the educator continues. "There will be new people in charge of all of the various committees of New York State Senate government."

Corbin says the New York State Senate resembled a "Third World banana republic" Monday when Democrats turned off the lights and cut the Internet feed of the chamber proceedings in hopes of preventing Republicans from regaining the majority.