Republicans and five breakaway Democrats joined forces yesterday to run the state Senate next year in an unprecedented coalition that freezes out most of the chamber’s liberal-leaning Democrats.
The unorthodox marriage between current Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) and Independent Democratic Conference leader Jeff Klein of The Bronx leaves most of the Senate’s liberal-leaning Democrats out in the cold — although their party might emerge with a numerical majority in the 63-seat house.
Yet the coalition is expected to grease the skids for Democratic-backed bills increasing the minimum wage, providing partial taxpayer financing of state elections and decriminalizing pot during stop and frisks.
“I’m extremely confident these issues can get done,” said Klein, whose conference grew to five this week with the official addition of former Majority Leader Malcolm Smith of Queens — as reported exclusively yesterday by The Post.
But insiders suggest miffed rank-and-file Democrats could resist watered-down versions of Democratic-leaning legislation.
“It’s the ‘Twilight Zone,’ ” Baruch College political-science professor Douglas Muzzio quipped of the new power-sharing plan.
As “conference leaders,” Skelos and Klein will jointly control budget negotiations for the Senate, decide what bills get voted on and make appointments to leadership and committee posts as well as state and local boards.
The duo will alternate every two weeks as temporary Senate president — right behind the lieutenant governor in gubernatorial succession.
The coalition represents a blow to teachers unions, which pumped big money into the campaigns of Democratic senators loyal to Minority Leader John Sampson of Brooklyn.
Sources with ties to the charter- school community and Mayor Bloomberg, whose spokesman called the coalition “an example of bipartisan cooperation at its best,” said the deal is good for both.
It shows the New York State United Teachers union’s “big bet on the Senate Democrats was a loser,” one insider said.
National Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers union chief Stuart Appelbaum expressed disappointment, but said he’s willing to give Klein a chance to deliver on issues such as an increased minimum wage.
A source with ties to Gov. Cuomo called the development a win for him since he can score legislative victories the GOP has blocked while avoiding a repeat of the Senate Democrats’ dysfunctional leadership when they held the majority in 2009 and 2010.
State Democratic Party co-chairwoman Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said she “fully” supports the coalition for “elevating policy above partisanship.”
ekriss@nypost.com
Libs get ‘left’ out by GOP-Dem group
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Libs get ‘left’ out by GOP-Dem group
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Libs get ‘left’ out by GOP-Dem group
