NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.: Statement on the Vote to Expel Sen. Hiram Monserrate‏

"Last night the Senate took steps to turn the page on the Hiram Monserrate nightmare. This truly unfortunate situation has drawn the legislative body’s attention and focus away from the critical issues it should have been addressing.

For my residents and the people throughout the state, the Senate must get back to work on important issues such as our budget and the state’s fiscal crisis, property tax relief, job creation, ethics and campaign finance reform, the MTA's financial situation and proposed service cuts. These are merely a sampling of the major issues the legislature must attend to and must do so in an efficient manner.

I am hopeful that my fellow Democratic Senators, and our Republican counterparts, can put aside any differences and do the work our people desperately need us to do."

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