Libous: IDC To Be ‘Respected’ In New Rules

JAN 6TH - 6:05 PM

Posted by Nick Reisman in State Senate

The state Senate’s new rules will grant some power to the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, but also acknowledge that Republicans control the chamber, Deputy Senate Republican Leader Tom Libous on Tuesday said.

“I think it will be a good working relationship,” Libous said. “It will be a positive one. I think once the rules are finally adopted, it will show Republicans control the chamber, but the IDC will be respected and have a lot to say.”

Libous declined to go into details of the agreement, but it’s expected the Senate’s rules will be introduced either this evening or be unveiled on Wednesday.

Senate Republicans are meeting this evening in closed-door conference prior to the first day of the legislative session, scheduled for tomorrow.

With Gov. Andrew Cuomo not giving his State of the State address until Jan. 21 following the death of his father, the Senate’s actions tomorrow will largely focus on how it will organize itself for the next two years.

Republicans won a numeric majority in the chamber in November, unseating three freshman Democratic senators as part of a broader GOP wave.

The GOP’s victory came after two years of an alliance with the five-member IDC, composed of Sens. David Valesky, Diane Savino, David Carlucci and Jeff Klein.

The agreement reached two years ago gave Klein the power of co-president alongside Republican leader Dean Skelos. Under that agreement, both Klein and Skelos had to jointly agree on which bills come to the floor for a vote as well be part of the state budget negotiations.

It’s unlikely Klein will retain as much power this time around now that Republicans have the advantage in the chamber for the first time since the end of 2012.

“I think it’s a matter of the Republicans have earned 33 seats,” said Libous, a Binghamton Republican. “We have control of the chamber, but with that control we’re also going to give proper respect to the IDC and allow them to be a viable force. I think that’s what the arrangement is all about.”

The theory for keeping Klein and company happy potentially has more to do with the 2016 election, a presidential election year that’s expected to drive out more Democratic voters to the polls.

Libous insisted the new coalition agreement is for two years, given the rules can only be adopted for this current legislative session.

Nevertheless, Libous called the deal a “solid one” that will allow the IDC to continue to have a say.

“I think you’ll see it’s going to be a good working relationship,” he said. “I’m excited about it, I think they are too.”

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