Albany, NY…December 1, 2010– The New York State Republican Party released the following statement today in response to the Albany Democrats’ failure to take action to close the state’s budget gap and the veil of secrecy surrounding the election of Senate Democrat Leader John Sampson:

“The hallmarks of failed Democrat leadership have been on full display during this week’s special session of the legislature. It is a sad pattern of behavior that has unfortunately become all too familiar to New Yorkers.

Democrat leaders again have shown they are unwilling to make the tough choices to help close the mid-term budget gap. While Republicans stood ready to cut the budget, Democrats opted to kick the can down the road again ensuring the state’s fiscal crisis will be even worse next year stifling economic development and job growth.

In a move that has defined the out-going Democrat majority in the State Senate, members of the Democrat conference reelected the embattled John Sampson as their leader in a rigged vote that was kept secret even from their own membership. One Senator even left town having never been informed that their was a leadership vote. Freshman David Carlucci even told reporters about the veil of secrecy and backroom dealing stating, “It’s not something I appreciate.” A statement was released at 10pm about the ethically-challenged Sampson’s reelection.

With inaction, corruption and political gamesmanship like this, all New Yorkers should look forward to the new Republican State Senate majority bringing more fiscally conservative leadership back to Albany come January.”