Political chaos continues in Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - The political chaos continues in Albany. A state judge is refusing to stop the Republican take over of the State Senate, but it is not over yet.

"Senate Not For Sale" chanted lobbyists as the new majority leaders made their way to open the Senate chambers and hold session for the first time since a surprise majority shift.

A Senate speaker said, "Senator Lippes, a quorum is present."

There was barely a quorum, 32 members, and only for 19 minutes. One of the two renegade Democrats, Hiram Monseratte was unwilling to cast any votes.

Senator Monseratte said, "I am not a Republican, I am a Democrat, but more importantly, I am a New York State Senator with an obligation to work for the people of the State of New York. I am here because of that obligation, because I believe this session should continue."

The session could not continue when Monseratte left.

"Voters Not Donors" was the chant in the halls of the Capitol, and also the message in

Downtown Buffalo Thursday as members of Citizen Action protested billionaire Tom Golisano's role in the surprise majority shift.

Ellen Kennedy of Citizen Action of New York said, "Gollisano didn't like what the Legislature did about fair taxes, so he uses the power of money to change the Senate to his liking."

But hours after the protest, Golisano spoke at HSBC Arena, urging people to remember what the new Majority already changed on Monday, while Senate Democrats went to court

Thursday morning and Senate Republicans held a brief session in Albany.

Members of Citizen Action and even a local Labor representative blasted Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano for his role in overthrowing the Democratic Senate Majority just days before the session ended.

They believe he was trying to avoid passage of a campaign finance reform bill.

He said hours later speaking at HSBC Arena that he was simply disappointed by the

Democratic Majority, "Malcolm Smith made a commitment to me before he was elected to office that he would work on fiscal restraint, that they would put forth some of the reforms, that they would go after property taxes, campaign finance reform. Well, he was in office for a little over five months, and nothing happened. So, we decided after watching, that six or eight weeks ago, that we were gonna revert back and try to do something."

There was a brief Senate session Thursday, but there were no votes.

Those challenging the new majority go back to court Friday morning, and the Republicans have scheduled the next Senate session for Monday afternoon.