As we read, watched and listened to all that was taking place in Albany over the last week, we, like many of our readers, had questions about what was going on, how it will impact on our communities and what the final outcome of this political coup will be.

The one thing that kept interrupting our thoughts was the concept that Democracy is never without controversy, nor should it be. The very nature of selfgovernance is fraught with philosophical debate, partisan intrigue and downright "roll up your sleeves and slug it out" politics. Some of the best outcomes were borne out of tumultuous change, and since the business as-usual attitude has permeated Albany for too long, we, like others, are sort of glad to see a coalition of Democrats and Republicans working together to bring about change.

But, we thought it best to get the insight of those in the trenches and contacted our local state lawmakers to get their perspective. Their responses appear below.

Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D) 11th AD, Lindenhurst

It is hard to know how this is going to play out. From my point of view, I just hope things get settled so we know who is in charge and we can move forward.

We are doing what we have to do on the Assembly side—discussing issues, passing bills and addressing things that have to be addressed—but it is frustrating not knowing where everything is in the other house. Without a Senate in place, nothing is going to be accomplished.

However it ends up, I can live with it, just as long as I know who I can talk with to get things done. Assemblyman Phil Boyle (R) 8th AD, Bay Shore

I think that if this unique set of circumstances helps to bring about true reform then and only then will it be worth it. I believe what the Republicans did with the help of two Democrats in the Senate was legal; they had four parliamentary experts there and while the politics of it has yet to be determined, it is my strong hope that this will lead to true reform. Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R) 9th AD, Huntington-Babylon

The public has to keep the end product in view and not the circus that is helping to bring it about. The end product will be reform in Albany, which will allow every New Yorker to be represented equally. We should not have lawmakers waiting ten years for a committee post because they are in the minority party and we should have term limits for the Senate and Assembly speakers' posts. The Senate made those changes on the Monday when they had the votes, and it is going to be difficult for the Assembly to ignore them. No one can argue that they open up the process. So I would say that what is happening now in Albany can be equated to dropping the chocolate and the peanut butter; it may seem like a catastrophe at the time, but in the end you wind up with something pretty good. Sen. Kemp Hannon (R) 6th SD, Massapequa

Now, the dynamics, instead of being totally New York City centered have changed, and the Senate can now try to work on property tax reform, prevent unfunded mandates and make sure that if we raise money for the MTA it goes to something other than saving New York City fares. We can now bring much more attention to our neighborhood. We had stimulus money and have not seen anything going to our roads and bridges. This will, at the very least with the 31-31 votes in place now (Tuesday) stop Nassau and Suffolk from being ignored. As we speak, for first time the combined leadership of both parties of the Senate, Republicans and Democrats, will be meeting to find solutions and bring equal representation to all New Yorkers. Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (R) 12th AD, Massapequa

The good news is that Long Island Republicans are coming back into control of the Senate and will have the ability to stop bad legislation, as well as having the leverage to force more State money (our fair share) to our schools, towns and villages. We saw this when our school districts received record State school aid during the last five years. The MTA bailout legislation, which was passed this May, is a payroll tax that is unfair and devastating to Long Island businesses, taxpayers and consumers. This legislation never would have passed if the Republicans controlled the New York State Senate these past fivemonths. Thisis an example of the checks and balances that a Republican-controlled Senate provides. The MTA bailout (which I voted against and which the Democrats forced upon us) makes it even more difficult and expensive for businesses, school districts, towns, villages, municipalities and even not-forprofits to operate. I am disappointed that the New York City Democrats, who control the Assembly and the Senate, knew that this would further increase already non-sustainable property taxes and yet they still went ahead with it anyway. It is only one example of bad legislation, tax and fee increases, and other expensive measures that Long Island has been forced to endure. If you ever needed a reason to support a change in New York State to Republican leadership, this is it.

It is unfortunate that many in the media have painted everyone in Albany with the same brush. The reality is that a new coalition now has the votes to move Albany in a better direction. What you have been reading about and seeing on TV are stunts that Senate Democratic leaders are playing in order to hang onto political power. Thank goodness there are balanced and fair newspapers such as The Massapequa Post and many of Long Island's weekly newspapers, that are providing our residents with the truth and documentation of historical events, rather than the clowning of sensationalism. Long Island will greatly benefit by the change in the Senate. Once again, this upheaval illustrates the fact that Republican leadership represents less taxes and better representation for the residents who work, pay taxes, own their homes and invest in our economy. Sen. Owen Johnson, (R) 4th SD, Babylon

Our news media has sensationalized the issue without putting out the facts; the fact is that the Senate Democratic leadership was incapable of administering the chamber properly. Bills that came through from the Governor, including the massive increase in the budget and the MTA tax that will place a tax burden on every family, every institution and every business, showed clearly that Long Island was getting the short end of the stick. The three people running the state were from New York City and had no feeling for the rest of the state and we needed to do something. Three men in a room in Albany used to mean two Democrats and one Republican. At least then we had some say in the process, but under the Democratic majority, it meant three Democrats from New York City who don't give a damn about the rest of us. Something had to be done. So, by forming this coalition, we take the majority back and bring some common sense, a change in rules of operation in the Senate proceedings, and sensible leadership and cooperation to get this state moving in the right direction again.