GOP, independent Democrats unite to control NY Senate  The New
York Capitol building in Albany (Wikipedia photo)  ALBANY, N,Y.
-- Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference struck
a deal Tuesday to take control of the state Senate in an
unprecedented power-sharing structure that a leader says will
result in raising the minimum wage.  The announcement by Senate
Republican leader Dean Skelos and IDC leader Jeffrey Klein
dashed the hopes of the traditional Democratic conference from
taking the near absolute control of the majority, even though
Democrats won more seats than Republicans in the November
elections.  It means the GOP and independent Democrats will
share control of moving legislation and even in negotiating a
state budget with the Assembly speaker and Democratic Gov.
Andrew Cuomo. The deal will create a third conference for the
IDC members under the Senate rules, assuring the five-member IDC
of rights and powers.  For New Yorkers, the partnership likely
means a new direction for the Senate