A Siena College poll finds that people throughout NY state prefer that the state legislature be divided between Democrats and Republicans so that the parties can form coalitions to promote legislation with bipartisan support. In contrast, 94% of those serving on the NYC City Council belong to the same party, which neither promotes bipartisanship nor allows differing points of view to be considered when crafting or debating legislation or regulations. If bipartisanship is a plus on the state government level, its also a plus here on the local level. From Crains: Though Democrats hold a more than two-to-one registration advantage in New York, 58% of voters would like to see the state Senate continue to be run by a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, a Siena College poll released Tuesday morning found. [T]he poll could serve to undercut the notion that members of the five-member Independent Democratic Conference—who cut a power-sharing deal with Senate Republicans in 2012 to jointly control the chamber—will be vulnerable to primary challenges from disaffected liberal voters. ... The figure among New York City voters seems to be good news for Bronx state Sen. Jeffrey Klein. He the Democratic co-leader of the Senate who was criticized for aligning himself and his Independent Democratic Conference with Republicans. He now faces a potential primary challenge from former Bronx Councilman, Assemblyman and Attorney General Oliver Koppell. If Mr. Koppell runs, he would rely on the support from Democrats who want their party to regain control of the Senate. bit.ly/1kZgVNU
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 01:58:54 +0000