Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, said today that last year's bipartisan seating arrangements at the State of the Union address would hold again this year.

According to a news release, he will be seated with: "Representatives Brian Higgins (NY-27), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Tom Reed (NY-29), Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Chris Gibson (NY-20), Richard Hanna (NY-24), and Kathy Hochul (NY-26)."

Mr. Reed, Ms. Buerkle, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Hanna are Republicans. Mr. Higgins, Mr. Tonko and Ms. Hochul are Democrats. The group represents a bipartisan upstate coalition.

The first time the two parties literally crossed the aisle was in the wake of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., a year ago.

In the news release, Mr. Owens called it a "small step" toward bipartisanship.

He said in an editorial board meeting last week that he doesn't expect much to get done this year because folks will be focused on the political races. We'll have to wait for the lame-duck session, Mr. Owens said.

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