As the Senate stalemate ends, a possible deal on school control

The stalemate in the State Senate appears to be ending in dramatic fashion today, with the distribution of power returning to how it was 31 days ago, at least numerically. That means senators can now get to work on everything they’ve ignored for the last month, including mayoral control, which officially expired last week.

Crain’s New York is reporting that a deal in Albany will have the Senate approve the Assembly’s bill now, but add amendments later:

Key Senate Democrats, notably Democratic conference leader John Sampson, want a few more checks on the mayor’s power than are provided for in the Assembly bill. But the Assembly has already adjourned for the summer, and senators don’t want to wait to renew mayoral control, which expired June 30. … Amendments passed subsequently by the Senate would require Assembly approval, but an Albany insider says assurances have been received that the lower chamber would accept some modifications.

The bill probably won’t be discussed tonight. But when it is, the Senate is likely to push for increased parent involvement, Crain’s reports. “A vocal constituency” is still pushing for fixed terms for school board members, the report says.