Hiram Monserrate kicked out of NY Senate

Under pressure from Governor Paterson and good government groups over ethics reform, the New York state Senate took what may be its first decisive action in a year today.

Lawmakers expelled Hiram Monserrate, the Queens Democrat whose assault on his girlfriend became tabloid fodder.

Here’s the latest from the Associated Press:

The Senate voted 53-8 on Tuesday night to oust Sen. Hiram Monserrate. The Queens Democrat was convicted of dragging his girlfriend through his apartment lobby but acquitted of a felony. A felony conviction would have automatically cost him his job.