The issue came to a head in Oneida County in February, after an Observer-Dispatch report found that at least eight Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders had been housed at three North Utica motels in a two-week period.

WSJ: NY counties struggle with homeless sex offenders

Ordinarily, debate and voting on an amendment might take two legislative days, but under the rules of the reconciliation bill the senators were to dispatch the amendments one after another, as in a hot-dog-eating contest, with a minute of debate for each side.

NEWYORKER: The Empty Chamber

Utility companies know the polling locations and dispatch repair crews to them after restoring power to top-priority locations such as hospitals, Mr. Ruman said.

WSJ: Sandy Prompts Shifts in Voting Procedures