By Hector Flores
This meeting, which was called by Jacobs, was the latest political maneuver by the splintered Democratic caucus. Jacobs explained that the legislators were given enough notice so that all had the chance to attend. "This meeting was an attempt to do the people's work," she said. "We are hereby calling for another meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m."
Republicans say that Jacobs could not call an organizational meeting for two reasons. First, such a meeting can only be called and presided over by the Legislature's clerk pro tem, Frank Maroney, who was elected with an 11-vote majority at the Legislature's first organization meeting on Jan. 25.
Second, Republicans are appealing the decision of New York State Supreme Court Judge Joseph Spinola, who nullified the results of the first organizational meeting, at which Republican Peter Schmitt was elected presiding officer. Spinola ruled in favor of the Democrats, who contested the election, saying that 10 votes are required for election to the post. Republicans had argued that 10 votes are required only for ordinances and emergency legislation.
As a result of the appeal, a stay in the election of officers has been ordered. Republicans hoped that their appeal, which was filed with the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division in Brooklyn, would be ruled on by Friday.
Schmitt called Jacobs's attempt to call an organizational meeting senseless. "It was meaningless for Judy to call for an organizational meeting," he said. "By law, no business can be done without a quorum."
Republicans have decided to wait for the decision of the appeals court before they attend an organizational meeting, saying that a vote now would only be overturned if the appeals court rules against Spinola. "The decision on Friday can only mean one of two things," Schmitt said. "A validation of the first organizational vote or a revote."
The confusing chain of events began after the election in November, when Corbin and Altmann approached Schmitt in an effort to attract Republican support for Corbin, who sought to unseat Jacobs as presiding officer.
Republicans threw their support behind Corbin because they were dissatisfied with Jacobs's practice of stalling their proposed bills in committee, they said. In return, Corbin promised to allow any bill or legislation put forth by Republicans to be fully heard by the Legislature.
After Schmitt announced a deal with Corbin, Jacobs attempted to circumvent it by changing her political affiliation to "blank." This would have threatened Schmitt's status as minority leader if Republicans had voted for Corbin.
At the Legislature's first organization meeting, Democrats were left divided. Jacobs, Corbin and Schmitt were all nominated for presiding officer, and after the nominations were announced, Jacobs opted to nominate Democrat Kevan Abrahams, but still kept herself in the running.
Schmitt received nine votes from the Republicans, Abrahams received eight (from the Democrats and Jacobs), Corbin had two votes -- his own and Altmann's -- and Jacobs received no votes. As a result, Schmitt was named presiding officer, Abrahams became minority leader, and Corbin and Altmann were appointed deputy presiding officer and alternate presiding officer.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
