New York Legislature Takes Bipartisan Test into 2013

The leaders of New York's Legislature say they are poised for a banner 2013 session and they are - on paper.

A Senate leadership struggle dating back four years that gridlocked important legislation over politics rather than merit appears settled by a bipartisan coalition.

This year, as opposed to 2012, there is a clear road map of progressive ideas already endorsed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Silver. As for Silver, he is perhaps more powerful than ever after quietly picking up a half-dozen more seats in the fall elections and apparently staving off a scandal involving sexual harassment claims against a Democratic assemblyman.

And all have assured New Yorkers that policy will trump politics.

But in practice, the next legislative session is as certain as a roll of the dice.