NY Senate Panel Recommends Expulsion Of Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate

Local NYC television reports this afternoon that a NY Senate panel has just recommended the expulsion of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, the Queens Democrat convicted last month of slashing his girlfriend's face, causing 40 stitches. Monserrate enraged gay activists late last year when he reneged on a promise to vote for marriage equality. This morning he told reporters that even if he is expelled, he will "refuse to leave" but did not elaborate on what that means. Among those screaming for Monserrate's departure is the National Organization for Women, which has been very critical of the state Senate's closed-door policy for these decisions.