Gaveled in 12:05 PM · Albany, New York · 1999–00 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
January 6, 1999
12:05 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
LT. GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE, President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G STHE PRESIDENT:Senate will now come to order.
I ask that everyone present please rise and recite with me the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
THE PRESIDENT:The invocation today will be given by the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
BISHOP HUBBARD:Let us pray. O gracious and eternal God, this new year of 1999 brings us ever closer to the year 2000 and challenges us to a vigorous renewal of our efforts towards securing peace and justice for all Your people, so many still torn by violence, diversion and oppression.
Bless us, we pray, O faithful God, who have gathered here for the opening day of the 1999 session of the New York State Senate. In Your caring providence, O God, of us all, You have emboldened and enabled leaders in every generation to respond to the people's needs, dreams and concerns through wise and courageous leadership and in accordance with the principles of just and compassionate government. The unchanged purpose of this gathering is the reaffirmation and renewal by our elected representatives, first, of their service of the dignitary needs and aspirations of all of the people of New York State and, secondly, of steadfast stewardship, both of which are central to the responsibilities of public servants.
You have endowed our leaders, O God, with diverse gifts, such as those of wisdom, foresight, imagination, compassion, integrity, common sense and a saving sense of humor. Thus we pray, the gifts that our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, our Legislators bring to the public service of our people.
Enable those in government to pool their very gifts and to channel their efforts and energies to address courageously the issues and serious concerns of so many people, including homelessness, hunger, unemployment, substance abuse, violence and the ongoing deterioration of the environment.
Embolden, we pray, our governmental leaders and representatives to strive together for the common good and for a realistic response to the special needs of those who suffer deprivation in various forms.
We pray, O God, that You will bless us all with increasing reverence for and support of the integrity and the strength of the diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures of the people of this, our great Empire State.
And for all this we pray, O caring God of us all, in praise of Your loving providence and in Your sacred name, You who live and reign both now and forever and ever. Amen.
THE PRESIDENT:Thank you. Thank you very much.
The Chair now hands down a message from the State Board of Elections, being the official certification of the duly elected members of the Senate and directs that the same be filed.
So ordered.
I'd like to ask if there are any Senators present who have not yet taken their oaths of office.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will now call the roll to ascertain a quorum.
SECRETARY:Senator Alesi.
SENATOR ALESI:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Balboni.
SENATOR BALBONI:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Bonacic.
SENATOR BONACIC:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Breslin.
SENATOR BRESLIN:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Connor.
SENATOR CONNOR:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Dollinger.
SENATOR DOLLINGER:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Duane.
SENATOR DUANE:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Farley.
SENATOR FARLEY:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Gentile.
SENATOR GENTILE:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Gonzalez.
(No response heard.)
SECRETARY:Senator Goodman.
SENATOR GOODMAN:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Hannon.
SENATOR HANNON:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Hevesi.
SENATOR HEVESI:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Hoffmann.
SENATOR HOFFMANN:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Holland.
SENATOR HOLLAND:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Johnson.
SENATOR JOHNSON:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Kruger.
SENATOR KRUGER:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Kuhl.
SENATOR KUHL:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Lachman.
SENATOR LACHMAN:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Lack.
SENATOR LACK:Here.
SECRETARY:Senator Larkin.
SENATOR LARKIN:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator LaValle.
SENATOR LAVALLE:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Liebell.
SENATOR LIEBELL:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Maltese.
SENATOR MALTESE:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Marcellino.
SENATOR MARCELLINO:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Marchi.
(No response heard.)
SECRETARY:Senator Markowitz.
(No response heard.)
SECRETARY:Senator Maziarz.
SENATOR MAZIARZ:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator McGee.
SENATOR McGEE: Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Meier.
SENATOR MEIER:Present.
SECRETARY:Senator Mendez.
SENATOR MENDEZ:Present.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno, a quorum is present.
SENATOR BRUNO:Thank you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT:Majority Leader Bruno, Minority Leader Connor, members of the New York State Senate and guests who have joined us here today, I welcome you and wish you all a happy and healthy new year as we begin, we commence right now, the 222nd session of the New York State Legislature.
As your new Lieutenant Governor, I'm truly honored and enthusiastic about the opportunity the people of the State of New York have given me. I am also very pleased and honored to be working with our Governor, George Pataki, to continue to make New York State the best that it could be.
As elected officials, it is not only our duty but our responsibility to represent and empower each and every citizen of New York State. Let's right now commit to work together to make 1999 a grand finale, a magnificent finale for this century as well as a promising and inspiring entrance into the 21st Century.
Thank you.
The Chair now hands down a communication from the Governor. The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:"Dear Madam President, I would appreciate the privilege of appearing before your honorable bodies in joint session on January 6, 1999 at one p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, to personally deliver my annual message to the Legislature. Sincerely, George E. Pataki."
THE PRESIDENT:To be filed in the Journal.
Senator Stafford.
SENATOR STAFFORD:Madam President, I hand up -
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT:Thank you, sir.
So received, Senator.
SENATOR STAFFORD:Madam President, I am -
THE PRESIDENT:I see I'll be right at home here, Senator.
SENATOR STAFFORD:Madam President, I am honored to hand up the following resolution and move its adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Stafford, Senate Resolution providing for the election of Joseph L. Bruno as Temporary President of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON:Madam President, my resolution is already at the desk, showing the greater preparation and -
(Laughter.)
SENATOR PATERSON:-- and responsibility that we would like to bring upon the Senate as I nominate Senator Martin Connor, the Minority Leader, to become majority leader for these sessions, 1999 and the year 2000.
Senator Connor has been an outstanding legislator for 20 years, he has served as a minority leader for four years and I think it's time for a promotion.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Paterson, the Secretary will read the resolution at this time, sir.
SECRETARY:By Senator Paterson, Senate Resolution providing for the election of Martin Connor as Temporary President of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Paterson, for remarks.
SENATOR PATERSON:On the substitute resolution, Madam Chair, I was just going to say that I thought it was time for Senator Connor to get a promotion, and this is without any disrespect to the current Majority Leader, Senator Bruno, who served with distinction. I think he deserves a promotion as well. And I'm sure that -
(Laughter.)
SENATOR PATERSON:-- and I'm sure that all of you will think of something, but for the time being, I would like to offer Senator Connor's name, most respectfully, in nomination. I think he'd be a fine administrator and leader for the Senate.
And just in case this resolution fails, as have all of the resolutions I have offered since I've ever been here, I'd just like to say that we look forward very much to working with all of our colleagues this session.
THE PRESIDENT:On the substitute resolution offered by Senator Paterson, all those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed.
(Response of "Nay.")
THE PRESIDENT:The nays have it. The resolution is defeated.
Senator Stafford.
SENATOR STAFFORD:Madam President, thank you. Your Excellency, my colleagues, when I said, after I was asked to do this, that I could just submit my remarks that I made the last two times, both the Leader and the good staff people said, "Do that and sit down." So I'll do it very, very quickly. But what I say, I'm very serious.
Four years ago, we saw this State, we were all very, very concerned. Our Leader, Joe Bruno, together with Joe Patak -- excuse me -- George Pataki and the Legislature, leading the Legislature, turned this State around. Before that, four years ago, we had lost hundreds of thousands of jobs. Now we have gained hundreds of thousands of jobs.
As one who understands welfare personally, personally -- those of you who know me, know what I'm talking about -- we had to make some changes. They've been made. Hundreds of thousands less on welfare. Together with our Governor, our Leader, who came here, who had established values when he came here, he stood by them and he sat right back there and he stood up and said what he believed. Sometimes when it wasn't the most popular thing to do. And that's why he's where he is today and that's why he's going to be our leader for 1999 and 2000.
Charles Evans Hughes was born in Glens Falls. And our Leader was born in Glens Falls. Charles Evans Hughes was Governor for two terms, Secretary of State, Chief Judge of the Supreme Court and he said the following: "We do not expect that the activities of government will merely be an organ to do all for people. We hope it will secure a basis of peace and order essential to individual liberty and opportunity and also we hope it will maintain the collective rights which cannot otherwise be safeguarded. But our dependence for progress is not upon governmental agencies but upon the virtues of industry, thrift and moderation found among our people."
A great man from Glens Falls said that. A great man from Glens Falls also says that, believes it. And, by the way Glens Falls is in the 45th Senatorial District, just in case anyone does not know that.
And with that, it is a pleasure and an honor for me to hand up the resolution electing Joseph Bruno, President Pro Tem, Majority Leader of the New York State Senate for 1999-2000.
Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT:Thank you.
The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted and the Chair states for the record that Senator Joseph L. Bruno has been elected Temporary President of the Senate for the years 1999 and 2000.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno, would you please raise your right hand and be sworn in as Temporary President of the Senate?
Please repeat after me.
I do solemnly swear -
SENATOR BRUNO:I do solemnly swear -
THE PRESIDENT:-- that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America -
SENATOR BRUNO:-- that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America -
THE PRESIDENT:-- and the Constitution of the State of New York -
SENATOR BRUNO:-- and the Constitution of the State of New York -
THE PRESIDENT:-- and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of -
SENATOR BRUNO:-- and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of -
THE PRESIDENT:-- the office of Temporary President of the Senate of the State of New York -
SENATOR BRUNO:-- the office of Temporary President of the State of New York -
THE PRESIDENT:-- to the best of my ability -
SENATOR BRUNO:-- to the best of my ability.
THE PRESIDENT:Ladies and gentlemen, our Temporary President of the Senate.
SENATOR BRUNO:Thank you. Thanks very much.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Thank you very much, Madam President. Bishop Howard Hubbard, thank you very much for joining us and for that very appropriate and beautiful opening prayer. And to my good friend of a lot of years, Senator Ron Stafford, who represented me in the Senate before I was here, I thank you for your friendship and for your very gracious and kind remarks. And I certainly thank my colleagues for their confidence and for their support in these past several years and going into this next century.
And I want to, before I move too far along, welcome and congratulate very, very dear and close friend, our Lieutenant Governor, Mary Donohue. You can already see that our new Lieutenant Governor has a keen sense of hearing and she can hear when the majority speaks, and she has an equal sense of sight when hands go up. This Lieutenant Governor knows that the majority represents democracy.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BRUNO:And so we look forward, Governor, to this next year and two with you as a partner in the things that we do with our great Governor, George Pataki. And we're proud that we do the things that we have done together.
And I want to extend my very best wishes to our new Minority Leader, Senator Marty Connor, and I want to assure him that we will do everything that we can to support him in his position as long as he's here.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BRUNO:Senator Stafford, you notice, was a little overwhelmed with emotion when he first stood up and, actually, I think for a second didn't recognize why he was on his feet.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BRUNO:But he rose to the occasion. And, again, thank you.
But I want to thank our leadership here in the Senate. You have been just so great. And all of the things that we have done we really have done together. There isn't anything that happens in this State that doesn't happen because we in this chamber take a positive action. There isn't anything that can happen.
We have some new members, and those new members we welcome most hardily. You are joining one of the greatest deliberative bodies in the whole world. And we welcome you here and we congratulate you here.
Senator McGee that's here, Senator Bonacic and, the newest addition to the right side of the aisle, Senator Nancy Lorraine Hoffmann, we welcome those new members.
I also want to bid a very hearty welcome to Senator Tom Duane, a newly elected member, and Senator Schneiderman, newly elected, and welcome -- and there is one other -- and Dan Hevesi, who follows in his very accomplished father's footsteps. We welcome you here.
They just keep getting better and better looking.
Now, you will notice that I wasn't as familiar with the last three names, but that will change. But we welcome you all.
And there is one message that's here. That we have differences of opinion in this chamber, but it's healthy. When we do things, we do them together. And when we go forward, whether we have agreed or not, when we go forward, and laws change and good things happen for this State, we have done that together. And we can elect as we see fit and how we project out, but there isn't anything that happens that we don't do together. And we can all be proud that we have worked together, that we have in the last four years, taken this State to the great heights that the people in this State presently enjoy and that we have built a platform with this great Governor, that we will step forward into this next century much better people, much better off than we were five and six and eight years ago.
So my thank you to all of you, to my family, who have been supportive, as your families are supportive. And for all of the good things that have happened in my life, I just thank the good Lord and I thank you.
And there are some good things that we don't want to lose sight of that happened just a few weeks ago that makes for a better new year for all of us, and I'm speaking of, of course, charter schools, budget reform, dairy compact and there were some other incidental things.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BRUNO:And let me just share with you that I don't want to treat that lightly, because there isn't a person in the Legislature or in government that doesn't deserve all of the recognition that they get because, if anyone doesn't recognize, they should start to recognize that we, you, are elected to one of the highest offices in this State and you are deserving of all of the recognition, all of the praise, all of the rewards that come from representing such a large constituency, individually and collectively.
So we go forward, I think with great vision, empowered that we will help improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you.
THE PRESIDENT:Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bruno.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:The Chair will acknowledge that we have also received a communication from the Senate Democratic Conference that Senator Martin Connor was elected as the Minority Leader of the State Senate.
Senator Connor.
SENATOR CONNOR:Thank you, Madam President. And let me, on behalf of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, welcome you as our presiding officer and we look forward to serving with you in the coming years.
Senator Bruno, congratulations. If I couldn't beat you, well, there's only about 24 other members here who I would rather see as Majority Leader than you. But other than that, I think you're great.
You know, I know this from the history books, Senator Stafford, and I know it from -- I don't know how many of you were here many years ago when my grandparents visited us in this chamber and, as you know, my grandmother passed away at 99, just three years ago. And she was active in politics in New Jersey and Woodrow Wilson was from her home county and she knew Mr. Wilson, and as a young woman worked in his campaign. And she recounted to me how that gentleman from Glens Falls, Hughes, went to bed being called, "Good night" -- being told, "Good night, Mr. President." This was a true story. And woke up the next morning and wondered where, where were they all, I'm not Mr. President anymore because the vote came in from California at about eleven o'clock in the morning and beat him. So as Senator Stafford was speaking, I was thinking, "Gee, you know, are we going to get an outcome like this?" As he compared you to Hughes, I thought, am I going to wake up tomorrow morning and find out I got the Wilson result? And we'll see when tomorrow morning comes.
But I am delighted, certainly, to continue to serve as Minority Leader. I am humbled by the faith my colleagues on this side of the aisle have placed in me. I look forward to a year where, certainly, in preliminary stages, we are not hearing a lot of the partisan rhetoric that we've all suffered from and with in these past years, not just in this Legislature but it seems to have been the tenor across the country. There are probably some, I suspect there's some city south of here on the Potomac that hasn't yet got the message. But I think we all got the message from our voters this year, that they want mainstream, moderate politics, they want people to talk about issues, not personalities. And that's a good thing. It's a good thing for all of us. It's a good thing for the people we serve. So I look forward to that.
I join in welcoming our new senators, Senator Bonacic, Senator McGee and, my own favorites, Senator Bruno, Senator Duane and Senator Schneiderman and Senator Hevesi. And you notice what I did is I gave him credit for all of his father's seniority in the Legislature, so he's sitting there in that seat now.
But be that as it may, I look forward to, hopefully, a productive year. The things we did accomplish just a few weeks ago I think will go a long way towards starting us off on the right foot this year in a spirit of cooperation. And, hopefully, we will be able to restore what once prevailed in this House, a greater spirit of bipartisan cooperation.
Thank you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT:Thank you.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, we are handing up a resolution, ask that the title be read and moved for the immediate passage.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution, that Steven M. Boggess of Sand Lake, New York, be and he hereby is elected Secretary of the Senate or the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:All right. The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted and the Chair states for the record that Steven M. Boggess has been elected Secretary of the New York State Senate for the years 1999 and 2000.
Mr. Boggess, be sworn in.
Raise your right hand, please, and repeat after me.
I, Steven M. Boggess -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:I, Steven M. Boggess -
THE PRESIDENT:-- do solemnly swear -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- do solemnly swear -
THE PRESIDENT:-- that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States -
THE PRESIDENT:-- and the Constitution of the State of New York -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- and the Constitution of the State of New York -
THE PRESIDENT:-- and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- and that I will faithfully discharge the office of -
THE PRESIDENT:-- Secretary of the New York State Senate -
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- Secretary of the New York State Senate -
THE PRESIDENT:-- to the best of my ability.
SECRETARY BOGGESS:-- to the best of my ability.
THE PRESIDENT:Congratulations, Steve.
SECRETARY BOGGESS:Thank you, Mary.
THE PRESIDENT:Ladies and gentlemen, our Secretary.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, I believe there's another resolution at the desk. I would ask that the title be read and moved for its immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution, that Mary Louise Stasolla be and she hereby is elected the official stenographer of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:On the record. On the resolution, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
Ladies and gentlemen, our stenographer.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, we will hand up another resolution, ask that the title be read and moved for its immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution, that William C. Martin be and he hereby is elected Sergeant-At-Arms of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:On the resolution, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
Our Sergeant-At-Arms, ladies and gentlemen.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, I believe there are several resolutions at the desk and I would ask that their titles be read and moved for their immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, concurrent resolution of the Senate and Assembly providing for a joint assembly for the purpose of receiving a message from the Governor.
THE PRESIDENT:The question is on the resolution. All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The concurrent resolution is adopted.
The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:Senate Resolution Number 7, by Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution, resolved that the President appoint a committee of two to inform the Governor of the election of Joseph L. Bruno as Temporary President of Senate for the years 1999 through 2000 and that the Senate is organized and ready to proceed with business and will meet with the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber at one p.m. to receive the Governor's message.
THE PRESIDENT:The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
The Chair appoints Senators McGee and Schneiderman to wait upon the Governor that the Senate is ready to proceed.
The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution Number 8, resolve that the President appoint a committee of two to wait upon the Assembly and inform the body of the election of Joseph L. Bruno as Temporary President of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000 and that the Senate is organized and ready to proceed with business and will meet jointly with the Assembly in the Assembly Chamber at one p.m. to receive the Governor's message.
THE PRESIDENT:The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
The Chair appoints Senators Bonacic and Hevesi to wait upon the Assembly that the Senate is ready to proceed.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, we hand up another resolution, ask that the title be read and moved for its immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution Number 9, providing that the rules for the Senate for the years 1999 -- '8, as last amended, be adopted as the rules of the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000.
THE PRESIDENT:The question is again on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, we hand up another resolution, ask that that title be read and moved for its immediate adoption.
THE PRESIDENT:The Secretary will read.
SECRETARY:By Senator Bruno, Senate Resolution Number 10, providing for the hours of meeting by the Senate for the years 1999 through 2000, resolve that unless otherwise ordered, the hours of meeting of the Senate shall be as follows: Mondays and Tuesdays at 3 p.m., Wednesdays and all other days 11 a.m.
THE PRESIDENT:The question is on the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT:The resolution is adopted.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, can we, at this time, recognize Senator Paterson?
SENATOR PATERSON:Thank you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON:Thank you, Madam President.
Pursuant to the passage of the resolution just a couple moments ago relating to the adoption of the rules of the Senate, I would like to make record of the fact that, pursuant to our agreement with the Majority, that the Minority reserves the right to amend the rules at the Senate, of the Senate, at a later time.
Thank you.
SENATOR CONNOR:To move to amend.
THE PRESIDENT:The record will so indicate, Senator.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Madam President, at this time, we are awaiting the Assembly, because the Senate has, as usual, finished its work in a record time and we are waiting for the Assembly to notify us that they are similarly organized. So we will stand at ease. And that's the bottom line. We are organized.
THE PRESIDENT:The Senate will stand at ease.
SENATOR BRUNO:Thank you, Madam President.
(Whereupon, at this time, 12:35 p.m., the Senate stood at ease.)
THE PRESIDENT:Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO:Upon business being finished, I would ask that we all assemble, that we move to the Assembly chamber to hear the Governor's State-of-the-State Message and our business be finished for the day.
I move that we stand adjourned until Monday at 3 p.m., intervening days to be legislative days.
THE PRESIDENT:The Senate will now proceed to the Assembly chamber for the Governor's message, after which the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, January 11th at 3 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 12:49 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)