Democrats Amigos Walk Out of Democratic Session as Espada Hints at Another Dramatic 'Solution'

ALBANY—Three Democratic state senators walked out of the still-divided chamber this afternoon before their Democratic colleagues convened into a regular session. While it didn't have any effect on the session's outcome--there was no quorum, and as such, no bills were acted on--it was a very public show of disunity in a conference that looks increasingly frayed.

"I think all of the members are under stress, and we will try to be as patient as we can to resolve this matter," Senator Malcolm Smith, a Queens Democrat, calmly insisted. "Our members are holding strong."

Senators Hiram Monserrate, Ruben Diaz Sr., Martin Malave Dilan and Carl Kruger walked out. Three of the four had breakfast this morning with Democratic defector Pedro Espada Jr. and are part of the self-styled "four amigos." (Senator Brian Foley was also not present, but he told me yesterday his father is ailing, and Smith said he was on Long Island with him.)

The regular session--promised earlier today by Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson--came after a three-minute extraordinary session and featured several members bashing Republicans for their non-attendance. Senator Eric Adams called a column by Fred Dicker "racist," continuing his recent string of criticisms of the Post.

At a press conference called before the session, leaders of the Republican-plus-Pedro Espada coalition revealed a letter detailing an operating agreement they say was being sent to all members. Senator Tom Libous, a Binghamton Republican, said it was the product of ongoing negotiations among staffers and senators from both sides.

"We will follow the Congressional model whenever possible," Libous said. The agreement would alternate which party runs the floor, evenly split staff allocations and member-item allocations, and offer dual committee chairmanships.

Democrats said the letter was not an agreement, and they will offer a counter-proposal soon.

Espada repeated his post-breakfast position: if a resolution is not reached by Thursday, the four amigos will act in some unspecified but menacing-sounding way. Standing next to Skelos, he told reporters that "over 20 members offered readiness" to take part in some "solution."

Leaders of both factions are meeting with David Paterson at 4 p.m.