With some recent defections from the mainline State Senate Democrats to a breakaway conference, a war of words has erupted between the two sides. It's making reconciliation seem that much less likely. As State House Reporter Zack Fink explains, the chaos only enables Republicans to maintain control of the Senate.

This week, the mainline Senate Democrats held a news conference to support raising the age of criminal liability. Only two states, New York and North Carolina, prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds as adults; everywhere else, it is 18.

In December, the competing breakaway Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) announced it would be supporting "Raise the Age" legislation, prompting this response Monday from Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins:

"We are here today to demand that as we talk about 'Raise the Age,' as we negotiate 'Raise the Age' that we don't have half-measures, and that we don't have watered-down options," Stewart-Cousins said.

The reference to "watered-down" legislation appeared to be some of the big-ticket items passed last year, like a $15-an-hour minimum wage.

The IDC controls the State Senate in a power-sharing arrangement with Republicans. And while the coalition was able to deliver on the minimum wage, many on the left were critical that it left too many gaps in coverage.

But in recent months, two mainline Senate Democrats defected to the IDC: Brooklyn's Jesse Hamilton in November, and Queens' Jose Peralta last month. Peralta has faced protests in his district.

"This is stuff that happens," said State Sen. Jeff Klein, the leader of the IC. "This is sort of the price he's paying from his old colleagues in the Senate Democratic Conference for wanting to get things done."

Allies of the Senate Democrats have even suggested Peralta left for the IDC because he needed more money.

"They are being attacked; that somehow the decision was financially motivated because of child support payments or everything else," Klein said. "That's obnoxious, and yes, that is racist."

"I just don't even understand why race is involved in this at all," Stewart-Cousins said. "The reality is that people are paying more attention than they have ever paid before in this era of Trump."

Another demonstration was held in Peralta's district Thursday night. However, even if all the Democrats were to come together, they no longer hold enough seats to form the majority in the Senate; this week, Democrat Sen. Bill Perkins resigned after winning a City Council seat, leaving the Democrats one vote shy of the majority.