‘Affront to democracy’: NY Assembly move to snuff out GOP voices in AlbanyBy Zach Williams
February 7, 2023
Albany Democrats tightened their vice-like grip over New York’s legislative agenda Tuesday with a power play aimed at preventing debate on topics like bail reform.
The Democratic Assembly supermajority is now putting a strict limit on the number of times per year members can force committee votes on bills — a move that allows them to effectively block the vast majority of GOP-backed legislation without discussion.
“It’s not just the bills that actually get considered. It forces conversations,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Valley Stream). “This is another way of centralizing power.”
The moved was introduced by Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo), a top lieutenant of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).
Another change, also approved in a Monday resolution, effectively requires GOP lawmakers to attend legislative sessions — while allowing Democrats to vote yes by default.
* * *
Source:
https://nypost.com/2023/02/07/nys-assembly-democrats-change-rules-to-take-power-away-from-gop-minority/
