Seating Feud Erupts in Senate

By JACOB GERSHMAN, Staff Reporter of the Sun
February 27, 2007

In an episode straight out of a high school cafeteria, a dispute over seating arrangement broke out in the Senate chamber yesterday and almost resulted in the cancellation of the day's session.

Senate Democrats were on the brink of boycotting the legislative session after Republicans refused to shift their seats to allow a newly elected Democrat, Craig Johnson, to sit on the left side of the chamber alongside other members of his minority conference. Democrats said they requested a shift two weeks ago when Mr. Johnson, who won a special election race to fill a vacant seat in Nassau County on February 5, arrived for his first day.

After Republicans promised to shift the seating, Democrats showed up yesterday to find Mr. Johnson still assigned to the old seat of former Republican Senator-turned Spitzer aide, Michael Balboni on the Republican side of the chamber, according to Senate Democrats.

Republicans adjusted the seating chart — moving one of their members and allowing Mr. Johnson to sit with his conference — after Minority Leader Malcolm Smith threatened a boycott. "A new member of the Senate shouldn't have to wait two weeks for a chair and a desk," Mr. Johnson told The New York Sun.