State Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos vowed yesterday that Republicans will deliver votes to help save Mayor Bloomberg’s control of city schools as Democratic lawmakers bicker over the controversial issue.
“You have to continue mayoral control. It’s been a success,” Skelos said yesterday following a meeting with Gov. Paterson and legislative leaders.
He added, “I think that’s absolutely necessary, and certainly our conference is supportive of that.”
Democrats hold a slim 32-30 margin in the Senate, and a handful of them support proposals to gut mayoral control. That means Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith — who unveiled a blueprint to continue mayoral control — needs GOP votes to pass a bill.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott lobbied lawmakers on behalf of the measure yesterday.