Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1938 and the U.S. Supreme Court decision to follow the One man, one vote rule, re-apportioned in 1982 by the Legislature, 61 Senators and 150 assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts for two-year terms.

Senate and Assembly districts consisted of approximately the same number of inhabitants, the area being apportioned contiguously without restrictions regarding county boundaries.

All sitting 22 women members of the legislature—State Senators Mary B. Goodhue (Rep.), a lawyer of Mount Kisco; Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (Dem.

), of Staten Island; Pinny Cooke (Rep.), of Rochester; Geraldine L. Daniels (Dem.

The Legislature met for the first regular session (the 212th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1989;[1] and recessed indefinitely on July 1.

The Legislature met for the second regular session (the 213th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1990;[3] and recessed indefinitely on July 2.

[6] This session was called to consider state budget cuts, an increase in CUNY's tuition rates, and an anti-crime plan proposed by Mayor of New York City David Dinkins.

John B. Sheffer II changed from the Assembly to the Senate at the beginning of the session.

Assemblyman Kemp Hannon was elected to fill a vacancy in the Senate.