Libous: Senate Leadership Plan Clears Way For Bipartisanship

A coalition leadership agreement in the New York State Senate sets up a system enabling Republicans to share control with a group of five Democrats starting next month.

Senator Thomas Libous, a Binghamton Republican who has been serving as deputy majority leader, says the plan unveiled today will "formalize our existing partnership through a new Senate Majority Coalition."

In a statement released by his office, Libous said Republican leaders believe the arrangement will be the most effective way to "ensure that true bipartisanship and meaningful progress" will continue in Albany.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos announced he plans to work with Democratic Senator Jeffrey Klein to share control of the Senate.

Klein is one of the members of what's been billed as the Independent Democratic Conference.

The agreement will preclude Democrats from taking control of the Senate, even if they wind up winning a majority of the 63 Senate seats. Two races remain undecided.

In his statement, Libous said his constituents want members of both parties to work together to "achieve real results that improve their lives."

Libous is scheduled to discuss the new leadership arrangement on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Wednesday morning at 9:15.