GLENS FALL (New York) POST-STAR

June 9, 2009

Senate shake-up puts controversial farm bill in doubt

By NICK REISMAN

State lawmakers said this morning that the leadership shake-up in the state Senate puts the passage of a controversial farm labor measure in doubt.

"I think it’s too soon to tell," said Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, R-Wilsboro. "We’re getting mixed signals from people about the validity of what happened in the Senate yesterday. No matter what happens in the Senate, it’s going to be some time before we get back to business."

The leadership in the Senate was thrown in to doubt Monday when two Democratic lawmakers announced they would join in a coalition with Republican senators, giving the GOP a majority.

The labor bill, which is bitterly opposed by farmers and agriculture lobbyists, would require farmers to provide employees with at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week, create an 8-hour work day for laborers, and require a time-and-a-half overtime rate for workers.

If approved, the law would also require farmers to provide unemployment insurance and grant collective bargaining rights to laborers.

Farmers, already facing trouble from historically low wholesale dairy prices, fear the law would drive many out of business.

The state Assembly approved the law on Monday over objections from Sayward and Assemblyman Tony Jordan, R-Jackson.

But Jordan said the bill might not have the needed support in the Senate.

"What the turmoil may do is probably improve our optimism that it won’t pass," Jordan said. "If this bill were to pass, it may forever change the farming landscape in New York state."

The state Senate will not be in session today as lawmakers seek to determine who will be setting the legislative agenda, Jordan and Sayward said. It’s expected to reconvene Wednesday.