NY: Chaos Rules The Day In The Capital District

Democrats Furious Over GOP Coup, Vow To Take Back Locked Senate Chamber; Republicans Push For Work To Resume
Reporting Marcia Kramer
Jun 9, 2009 5:00 pm

ALBANY (CBS) ― Aftershocks of the New York State Senate shake up were rippling through the state capital Tuesday. With all the chaos, confusion and hard feelings, many in Albany are wondering who's in charge and what happens next?

Less than a month ago, Democrats and Republicans posed like one big happy family for their class picture, but a dramatic coup to depose Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has left everybody in Albany with a lot of hard feelings.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting, a side show," Smith spokesman Austin Shaffran said. "Senate Republicans should be ashamed." Smith didn't show his face Tuesday, but sources said legal action is being considered to stop Republican Dean Skelos from becoming majority leader and renegade Democrat Pedro Espada from becoming speaker pro tem, one step away from being governor. the rest

Control of NYS senate in dispute, deadline looms