The Senate Majority, however, has never permitted a floor debate or vote on any hate crimes bill, including the bill proposed by Governor Pataki for several years. It appeared that 1999 would be the year for action and while the issue remained alive in the Senate until the final hours of the regular legislative session, the year ended with no progress. Democracy has not worked. Our report card shows the Assembly passes a bill overwhelmingly, the Governor says he's supportive, and a majority of the State Senate want a hate crimes law. That's what every survey of the people of New York shows.
Action speaks louder than words.
In ranking the three top leaders in Albany, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver received the highest grade, Governor Pataki barely passed and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno flunked. Senate Leader Joe Bruno was given a lowly F, with three reasons cited. It's now clear that the vast majority of the people of the state and a strong majority of the Senate want a law. By region of the state, Long Island Senators scored among the worst. Of the nine Senators representing the island, six received F's and three C's.