NY proposal would oust lawmakers for misdemeanors

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A day before the New York state Senate is expected to decide whether to expel a senator convicted of misdemeanor assault, Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada has proposed legislation to require the automatic expulsion of senators in such cases.

Sen. Hiram Monserrate, a Queens Democrat, was convicted of dragging his girlfriend, but was acquitted of a felony. A felony conviction would have automatically cost him his job.

Monserrate and Espada, a Bronx Democrat, teamed up last summer to make a Senate coup possible that paralyzed the chamber for more than a month.

The measure Espada filed Monday wouldn't be retroactive and wouldn't affect Monserrate if it's passed as proposed.