Senate Republicans Stand Firm on Plan for Finance Plum

ALBANY—Senate Republicans are standing firmly behind a controversial plan to empower the position of chair of the Senate finance committee.

Yesterday, David Paterson had been skeptical of the plan, asking whether it is actually "the disguise of reform that is really a political concern" designed to help woo three rogue Democrats to the Republican conference.

Mark Hansen, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, said the move was not political, adding "the issue of giving committee chairs more independence is something that Senator Skelos has brought up before."

He said that a line item would be added in the senate budget to effect the change, meaning it would not be set in stone if Democrats take over control of the chamber in January.