There is upheaval in the Monroe County Legislature on Tuesday.
Several Democratic legislators confirm that Monroe County legislator Vince Felder has been removed from his position as minority leader of the Monroe County Democratic Caucus.
Spectrum News was expecting to learn more about the change in leadership at a legislature meeting Tuesday night, but it was adjourned abruptly by president Joe Carbone after public comments were read into the record.
Carbone cited concerns over whether the vote to remove Felder was done properly, and over the claim by other Democrats that legislator Yversha Roman was duly elected to the minority leader post, and the meeting ended immediately.
Nine Democrats voted for Roman.
Roman, along with legislators Rachel Barnhart, Joshua Bauroth, John Baynes, Linda Hasman, Howard Maffucci, Joseph Morelle, Jr., Justin Wilcox, and Michael Yudelson released a statement on the the leadership change:
“Nine of the 14 members of the Democratic caucus chose Yversha Roman to be Minority Leader. We signed a communication to the President of the Legislature indicating the leadership change.
President Joseph Carbone refuses to recognize our legitimate and lawful choice. At tonight’s Committee of the Whole meeting, President Carbone said he did not want to get in the middle of a dispute over leadership and abruptly adjourned the meeting before we were able to consider a single item.
Shutting down our government and abandoning the people’s work because you don’t like the rightful decision of the minority caucus is outrageous and undemocratic. As a result of tonight’s action, we did not vote on an independent redistricting commission, thousands of dollars in grants for legal and health services, an extension of sales tax relied upon by schools and local governments, and a committee to oversee the renaming of our airport in honor of Frederick Douglass.
This is the second time this summer President Carbone has refused to honor precedent and the prerogative of the Democratic Party. The first time was the tabling of the appointment of Jackie Ortiz to Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner. Monroe County Democratic Committee members overwhelmingly elected Ortiz to the post. We will be appointing Ortiz on Thursday morning, in a process outlined by state law and affirmed by Hon. John Ark.
Our caucus is ready to lead and do the people’s business immediately.”
The caucus has seen in-fighting over the past several months over a vote to appoint City Councilmember Jackie Ortiz as the new Democratic Board of Elections commissioner.
Her confirmation was delayed by members of the party.
"As a legislature, we are not functioning properly. It's absolutely true that we should do things like we've done in the past. Appoint a board of Elections commissioner that has been elected by the people within our committees so she can push forward to fully functioning board of elections," said Roman.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello also released a statement:
"Tonight, Monroe County Legislature President Dr. Joe Carbone failed our community once again by grinding legislation to a halt and choosing politics ahead of the needs of our community. Dr. Carbone’s politics of obstruction and chaos continue to prevent action on important matters that could have a lasting impact on countless residents across our community. This is the exact type of governing that Monroe County voters rejected during last year’s election.
At a time when many local governments and community partners are facing a deficit, the County Legislature failed to consider legislation that would provide $124 million to the county, city, towns, villages and school districts, to create a Department of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, enact independent redistricting, help fight our opioid crisis and provide benefits to low income women and children. All of this just two weeks after failing to confirm the appointment of a Board of Elections Commissioner.
Enough is enough. Our community is facing too many challenges and demands a county legislature that acts on behalf of the people, and not politics as usual."
Spectrum News has reached out to legislator Felder who says he has no comment at this time, but will be speaking on Wednesday.
A representative from Carbone's office sent a response:
"Adam Bello needs to get his own house in order. As County Executive, he has led Democrats in the Legislature down the destructive road they are on today. Residents can clearly see through his divisive and hyper-partisan tactics. And again we see Bello spewing lies - all legislation remains on schedule”
This is a developing story that will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
