Senate Republicans settle into life in the minority

ALBANY - A familiar appeal from Senate Democrats last week came with a twist that reflected the new reality of the state Senate."We urge our Republican colleagues to take up our bills," said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, before quickly adding, "I'm just kidding."The punchline elicited guffaws and applause from the Senate Democrats, who had gathered in the Capitol for a news conference promoting a package of election reforms that the new majority was able to pass in a few hours,