Cuomo makes public plea to Sen. Felder

NEW YORK
Times Union

By Rachel Silberstein on April 25, 2018

Gov. Andrew Cuomo “strongly urged” Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat who caucuses with the Senate Republican conference, to rejoin the Democratic fold Wednesday in light of Tuesday’s twin Democratic victories in the Bronx and Westchester.

Noting that the Senate Democrats may not need Felder’s vote in November — provided the Democrats pick up more Senate seats in the general election — Cuomo said, “now is the time” for the Brooklyn Senator to provide the critical 32nd vote Democrats need to pass legislation in the 63-member chamber. After Tuesday’s special election, the Senate Democratic conference has grown to 31 members, just shy of a functional majority.

“I believe there will be additional Democrats who win and are seated for the next legislature. You have said that you act in the best interest of your constituents. For their benefit, now is the time that matters. I know what you said yesterday, but this morning brings a new reality,” said Cuomo.

Outside the Senate chamber on Monday, Felder told reporters Wednesday that “nothing has changed.”

The full letter can be read below:

Dear Senator Felder,

Given Shelley Mayer’s victory in yesterday’s Senate special election, your decision on Senate leadership is now pivotal. There are now 32 registered Democratic Senators forming a majority Democratic Conference. The IDC has unified, and while I understand that you conference as a Republican and run on multiple lines, you are registered as a Democrat. I strongly urge you to join the 31 other registered Democrats so we can enact meaningful legislation that will continue our state’s progress at this most critical political time.

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