WXXI: Amigos Breakfast Group Growing (2009-07-08)

The State Senators known as the "four amigos" met to discuss how to break the now month long stalemate over leadership of the chamber, but afterward would not say what exactly they might do.

The four amigos, who include Senator Pedro Espada, elected Senate President Pro Temp in the June 8th coup, were also joined by Senator Martin Dilan, and the leader of the Democrats-only faction, John Sampson.

Afterward, Senator Sampson would only say that it was a breakfast among friends.

"Sometimes friends get together and try to iron out our differences, so we can come to a resolution," Sampson said.

But the others said if there's no agreement on a power sharing agreement by Thursday, they will take some kind of action. Senator Carl Kruger, one of the "amigos" says it's time for the chaos to end.

"We're all terribly frustrated and terribly disjointed," said Kruger, who said he felt a responsibility to try to achieve a "reconciliation".

The growing group of Senators still won't say what exactly they'll do to resolve the crisis.

Racial tensions flared as the Senate reached the one month point in the gridlock. Senators at the breakfast meeting say they are angry over remarks attributed to Senator Jeff Klein. Several of the Senators walked out of a session called by the Democratic faction Tuesday, saying it was a waste of time. Senator Jeff Klein, who Democrats consider to be Deputy Majority Leader, then told some reporters that the other Democratic Senators who left were "irrelevant". Senators Ruben Diaz and Martin Dilan are viewing Klein's statements as a slap against Latinos. Dilan said he was angry, and that's why he joined the amigos for the first time at breakfast, but said he wanted to calm down a bit before taking any action.

"I think it's an insult, it's a racist comment, and I'm not going to stand for it, "said Dilan. "I'm going to show him how irrelevant' we are."

Later in a statement, Dilan said he's made no commitment to switch sides, but has been talking to both factions, and says some members of the Democratic conference, including him, feel alienated by the conference leaders.