Sampson Succeeds With Two GOP Committee Chairs (Updated) »

By Elizabeth Benjamin  New York Daily News  January 6, 2010

 Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson quietly handed out two committee chairmanships to Republican lawmakers this afternoon, marking an unusual moment in the chamber's history with very little fanfare or fuss.

Sen. George Maziarz got the Energy Committee, which had been headed by Sen. Darrel Aubertine, who will continue to head the Agriculture Committee.

Sen. Tom Morahan got the Mental Health Committee, which was chaired by Sen. Shirley Huntley. Huntley will chair the Cities Committee and also be deputy majority leader for Federal and State Relations - a position Sampson was holding along with his conference leader post.

Sen. Dan Squadron, who had been chairing the Cities Committee and doing double-duty as co-chair of the Social Services Committee, is now solely responsible for Social Services.

Sen. Velmanette Montgomery was chairing two committees - Children and Families and Social Services. She now just has Children and Families.

These changes were made via a resolution handed up by Sampson. There was no objection lodged on either side of the aisle.

A Republican source said neither Maziarz nor Morahan mentioned to their colleagues during today's closed-door GOP conference that they planned to accept Sampson's offer - an offer originally extended to three members, but rejected by the third, Sen. Joe Robach.

A fourth member, Sen. Vincent Leibell was also mentioned as a possible chairman candidate, but talks never really got off the ground with him.

Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos was less than thrilled to learn of Sampson's bipartisan plans, but did not try to block today's appointments.

"They had their reasons for wanting to do this, so you'll really have to speak to them," Skelos spokesman John McArdle told me. "Dean wanted things done on a broader basis if there was doing to be bipartisanship."

UPDATE: Sampson spokesman Travis Proulx sent over the following statement from the conference leader:

"Never before has it been more important for us to put partisanship aside and renew our commitment to putting the people first. These are thoughtful and principled senators who have worked with our members in the past to implement smart policies that benefit all New Yorkers."

"They are also dedicated and engaged members of this Chamber who can bridge the gap that crippled this body for too long. The steps we have taken today will make the Senate a more bipartisan, and effective institution for the people of New York."

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