Progressive organization ACT NOW today condemned New York State Senators Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate for caucusing with the Republican Party in the State Senate, allowing them to reclaim the State Senate. The Democratic Party recently regained control of the State Senate in November 2008 after being in the minority party for 43 years.

“This is a step in the wrong direction for the State of New York. It is shameful to change the leadership with only 2 weeks remaining to resolve important issues including mayoral control of New York City’s education system, rent regulation reform, same-sex marriage, and taxes in New York City,” said Chris Asta, Board Member of ACT NOW.

ACT NOW has been a leading volunteer organization for the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee. In recent years, the organization has been critical to the elections of Sen. Joseph Addabo, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Sen. Craig Johnson, in addition to their advocacy work with Sen. Liz Krueger, Sen. Eric Schneiderman, and Sen. Tom Duane. More recently, ACT NOW has worked on issues of affordable housing and same-sex marriage in the State Senate.

ACT NOW has joined with other organizations in denouncing the State Senators, including the Working Families Party, Citizen Action, and Tenants PAC. These groups were part of a broad-based coalition that helped the Democrats reclaim the State Senate.

“The State Senators that switched sides will be our top targets in 2010,” said Asta. “We will make sure the voters in their districts are aware of their actions.”