ALBANY, 06/24/09 -- Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today commented on this week’s extraordinary session of the state senate:

“With all of the controversy surrounding senate leadership, the governor’s call of a special session did force all senators to be in the senate chamber at one time.

“After three weeks of waiting on a number of senators to come to work, we were finally able to get back to the people’s business this week under the leadership of the new bipartisan reform coalition.  We approved important legislation that will help provide property tax relief for homeowners across upstate New York.

“On the senate leadership controversy, the facts are clear- a vote of 32-30 on June 8th approved the leadership change, and the courts refused to overturn that decisive vote.  I have been reporting to the senate chamber and we have been in session 7 straight days ready to do the work of the people, now it is time for senate Democrats to recognize that a new bipartisan reform coalition is in place and do the same.

“We are not finished.  There is more work that has to be done on behalf of the people of this state to ensure lower property taxes, protect local services and create jobs.  We need to work together, move forward and complete our work.”

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