Cozy again, and richer?
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cozy-again-and-richer-5633184.php
Matthew Hamilton
Albany
Think of it as political remarriage, one that involves the commingling of two complex estates and a November wedding that requires detailed planning. As the big day approaches, future plans are being discussed. What doesn't appear to be on the table is any premarital sharing of bank accounts.
And so it is with the state Senate Democrats and the Independent Democratic Conference, set to reunite as a new coalition after four years apart. While both sit on millions of dollars in cash that could help them collectively win a majority in the chamber and close down the Republican Party's last bastion of statewide power, it appears that overall Democratic Party unity could be more significant in getting out the vote than any pooling of Senate Democratic resources.
The Senate Democrats reported Tuesday just more than $1 million in their war chest, a turnaround from the past few years of debt. With their ranks down to 24 members, that cool million in cash has left Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Chairman Sen. Mike Gianaris feeling optimistic.