The people that dreamed of the crack of slot

Machines have donenothingforthose who work at Nassau OTB and have seen branch after branch close.


flanagan's firm represents the archdiocese of Rockville centr.


Is it any wonder ny const art 1 sec 3 means nothing?

Nassau otb's working people need legislative changes now.

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EDUARDO MUNOZ/REUTERS

With Dean Skelos likely out as their leader, deeply split Senate Republicans face an uncertain future.

ALBANY — With time running out on Dean Skelos’ tenure as state Senate majority leader, his replacement will take over a Republican conference fractured unlike any time in decades.

“This is going to be ugly and could take some time to play itself out,” said one GOP senator of the divisions in a conference known for its remarkable unity for years.

The fissures that have become public after Skelos’ arrest on corruption charges last week run deep. They pit upstate members versus downstate. Moderates versus conservatives. Anti-gun control senators against pro-gun control senators. And Common Core supporters versus opponents of the controversial curriculum.

“They’ve always been the most disciplined conference in the building and that has always been one of their strengths,” said one GOP operative. “That’s why it’s so strange to see what is going on right now.”

DEAN SKELOS EXPECTED TO STEP DOWN AS STATE SENATE BOSS

The direction the Republicans go could have a profound impact on issues being negotiated in the waning weeks of the legislative session, including bills to extend the expiring laws governing rent regulations and mayoral control over New York City schools, as well as changes being sought to a teacher evaluation process.

The fight for a leader being waged behind the scenes has pitted Education Committee Chairman John Flanagan, of Suffolk County, against Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco.

MIKE GROLL/APEnlarge

MIKE GROLL/APEnlarge

The fight for a leader has pitted Education Committee Chairman John Flanagan (l.), of Suffolk County, against Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco (r.), of Syracuse.

DeFrancisco, of Syracuse, has the support of many of the more conservative members, mostly from upstate, while Flanagan is seen more as a moderate with close ties to Skelos.

Some Republicans fear DeFrancisco’s ascension could hurt Republican efforts to keep control of the Senate in next year's crucial elections.

Machines

“Do we really want to get more conservative in a liberal state?” said one Senate GOPer. “That might be a recipe for disaster.”

But others say Flanagan’s ties to Skelos, his work at a private law firm that has clients with state business, and the fact he and every other Long Island Republican has been subpoenaed by crusading U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara pose potential pitfalls.

Several with ties to the Senate GOP insisted the conference recognizes the stakes heading into next year’s elections and will quickly unify behind whoever is chosen.

“It’s pretty well fractured, but they have to come back,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long.