Closer and Closer. Senate Leaders On Verge of Comprehensive Agreement.

They are not there yet, but Democratic and Republican state Senate leaders are negotiating their way to an agreement that will reflect their historic 18-18 partisan divide, Daily Ructions can report. Democratic leader Martin Looney will remain as President Pro Tem of the upper chamber. If the deal holds, There will be be joint majority leaders, Bob Duff for the Democrats and Len Fasano for the Republicans. The parties will exercise joint control over the Senate calendar, allowing lobbyists to charge their bewildered clients more.

The deal may also include Senate co-chairs of committees. The House, where incoming Democratic speaker Joe Aresimowicz’s relationship with Republican leader Themic Klarides gives him a 151 seat majority on critical organizing issues, will add its own third co-chair to committees. The even divide in the Senate will require each party’s members to add to their committee assignments if the number of committees is not reduced.

The Senate budget will require adjustment to reflect this new partisan divide. This may be the real most difficult point. Democratic staffers, who enjoy disproportionate influence over the elected members of their caucus, are in a high state of alarm at the prospect of layoffs in their ranks. No one appears to be talking about reducing salaries to save comrades. The Malloy administration is not likely to be eager or able to provide a refuge for the dispossessed.

Negotiations continue.