Syracuse-area state Sen. John DeFrancisco says he would be shocked if the uncertainty over the leadership of the New York State Senate lasts another week. Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos was arrested Monday on federal corruption charges.
Initially, lawmakers agreed to support Skelos. Since then, there has been a growing number of Republican senators publicly calling for him to resign his leadership post.
“Whether or not we’re in a situation where there’s a change from our strong consensus on Monday for Dean, what we’re trying to do is get something resolved before we get into Albany on Monday so it goes smoothly, whatever happens,” said DeFrancisco.
Defrancisco expects lawmakers will meet again to discuss whether Skelos should keep his leadership role in light of an indictment this week on federal corruption charges.
"At some point, there’s going to be another conference, and there’s going to be another discussion and under those circumstances, we will have a consensus whatever it may be, and that’s what we will operate under until something changes, if anything.”
Defransisco, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, is among a list of potential successors to the leadership post, if Skelos is forced out.
