Democrats Take a Veto-Proof Majority in State Legislature

Democrats in the New York State Legislature now have the numbers to override gubernatorial veto power on a party-line vote. Two years after the Democrats gained control of the State Senate, the November election results now give them the numbers for a supermajority.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic leader in the State Senate, announced the news Monday after claiming Sen. Peter Harckham had enough votes to declare victory over Republican Rob Astorino in a district covering parts of Westchester and Putnam Counties. Harckham's re-election would make him the 42nd Democratic member of the Senate Conference and clinch a supermajority for Democrats in the 63-member chamber. Democrats have long had a supermajority in the State Assembly.

The Democrats' supermajority power is more likely to be measured by a shift in bargaining power than an increase in the number of veto overrides. Observers expect the Governor's staff will get involved in legislative negotiations earlier and more often to prevent a potential override—and all while they are still working long hours to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The milestone will give both state legislative houses more say in the all-important State Budget process.

A handful of state Senate races remain undecided, including a Syracuse-area district where a COVID-19 exposure forced the county Board of Elections to halt ballot counting until next week. Once the vote count finishes, Democrats could reach as many as 43 seats.