Latino Dems gaining power in state Senate; new caucus may be hobbled
Their party may have lost control of the state Senate, but Latino Democrats are gaining power - and possibly helping to hobble the hopes of a new breakaway caucus.
Latino Sens. Martin Malave Dilan, Adriano Espaillat and Jose Peralta have scored new titles on Senate committees, courtesy of Democratic leader John Sampson.
Bronx state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. got to roll out the announcement on Sunday - a move which gives the controversial lawmaker bragging rights without really giving him additional clout.
- Dilan, of Brooklyn, is becoming assistant minority leader for Senate policy and administration.
- Espaillat, of Manhattan, will chair the Minority Business Development Committee and serve as ranking member on Housing.
- Peralta, of Queens, will be minority whip.
Sampson's move arguably checks the power of the Independent Democratic Caucus, a group of four white senators led by Sampson's former deputy, Sen. Jeff Klein, who say Sampson's leadership is lousy.
Racial tensions have long roiled the Senate, with downstate blacks and Hispanics tussling for control of the Democratic conference, and white upstaters in the mix as well.
In handing out the titles, Sampson "locked down his base and really shut the door on the 'Kleiniacs' by empowering Hispanic members within the conference," said one Democratic observer.
"Klein has to grow. Where can he grow? He can't now. [Sampson's] got Queens, Brooklyn, blacks and Hispanics. You're done."
It remains to be seen what the quartet of dissidents led by Klein can get from new Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos - if anything - whether it be more money for staffing out of Sampson's pot, roles on influential committees or some other bonus.
But as the Democrats drive on with their short-lived control of the Senate in the rear-view mirror, Latinos, at least, will be riding shotgun.
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Well, imagine that: tough-guy New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie actually asking for something, rather than grabbing what he wants and dealing with the blowback later
Christie wants the Port Authority to foot a $1.8 billion bill for improvements to roads that don't expand an inch into the Empire State. Since both New York and New Jersey control the Authority, Christie, by law, has to get Cuomo to agree.
It's how he's asking that's eye-opening: Nicely.
"You know how Christie is - he doesn't 'ask' for anything. He's definitely recognizing that someone's home on the other side of the river," said one official. "He's recognizing Cuomo as his equal, if not granting him some power in this situation.
Cuomo hasn't taken a formal stance on his new governor/neighbor's request, but one source familiar with the negotiations agrees both Christie's timing and his tone are noteworthy.
"It does give Gov. Cuomo leverage. Christie needs the money. He has to play nice in order to get it."