Koppell hits Klein for Dream Act ‘farce’
Jimmy Vielkind
ALBANY—A potential primary challenger to Bronx senator Jeff Klein denounced him for bringing the Dream Act to the floor of the State Senate late Monday, where it was defeated by a two-vote margin.
“Arranging to put the DREAM Act on the floor with no advanced notice at a time when a potential Republican supporter was absent assured the bill’s defeat," said Oliver Koppell, a former attorney general and member of the City Council. "He once again empowered Republican State Senators to block progressive legislation."
Koppell's criticism came as Klein won praise from other advocates of the bill, which would have opened state tuition assistance programs to undocumented immigrants.
Klein, who along with the five-member Independent Democratic Conference allied with Republicans for a role in running the Senate, won the promise of a floor vote during budget negotiations. But its timing caught many by surprise, and came when a potential Republican supporter—Long Island Sen. Phil Boyle—was absent from the chamber.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/03/8542159/koppell-hits-klein-dream-act-farce