Sen. John DeFrancisco
/ file photo
ALBANY -- New York senators engaged in a shouting match in a usually dull Finance Committee meeting, with one suggesting they take the conflict "outside."
Democratic Sen. Kevin Parker of Brooklyn was defending an appointee of Gov. David Paterson. After questioning by Republican Sen. John DeFrancisco of Onondaga County, who is white, Parker shouted that a white nominee wouldn't be questioned so aggressively.
Then Democratic Finance Committee Chairman Carl Kruger told Parker he was out of order and would have to step outside.
Parker said he wanted everybody to step outside. Kruger said he would get someone to remove him with another outburst, but Parker said he'd better bring more than one.
CNY Central contacted Sen. DeFrancisco's office for a comment on the incident. The senator's office declined to comment, other than to say "Consider the source," referring to Parker.
Click here to watch a YouTube video of the confrontation. Skip ahead to about the 20:50 mark.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
