The Democratic leader of New York's state Senate and the head of a breakaway faction of Democrats are criticizing each other over their continuing rift.
Despite earlier promises to work with traditional Democrats, the five-member Independent Democratic Conference is expected to again align itself with Senate Republicans during the legislative session that begins Wednesday.
Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Monday that the Independent Democrats' decision was "disappointing" and would allow Republicans to block Democratic priorities.
In response, Sen. Jeff Klein, leader of the breakaway Democrats, says Stewart-Cousins is "in no position to pass judgment" since Democrats failed to win a Senate majority in the fall elections.
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© 2015 AP
