«For decades the legislative leaders of both parties have had far too much power to thwart the will of the people and their elected representatives by holding bills in committee thereby preventing an up or down vote by the legislature. (jimtedisco.com)
A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver declined to comment beyond saying there were a number of bills in committee on the issue. (observer.com)
Many have blamed state Rep. Bill Stoltze, a Republican and co-chair of the House Finance Committee, saying he stifled a Senate bill in committee that would have put $ 2 million in state money toward the federal program. (adn.com)