Albany, NY – This morning’s session coaxed many Republicans to delay their coming on to the Senate floor. The afternoon agenda was curtailed by news that Mount Vernon Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-The Bronx/Westchester County) had been taken ill with walking pneumonia to Albany Medical Center. Despite her grave state of health, she plans to return to the Senate Chambers when it gavels at 5:30 p.m.
Without Hassell-Thompson's vote, or that other Democratic in the conference, the Senate will unlikely be able to pass the budget..
The drama at the State Legislature is unequaled in many a years
"It's looking like it's going to be a long night," remarked Senate Democratic spokesman Travis Proulx, whose comment was before news of Hassell-Thompson's illness broke.
Senator Hassel-Thompson returned to the Capitol by ambulance around 7 pm, and was present for the vote on the budget bill.
