Sen. Kevin Parker, who has a history of anger management issues, had a meltdown today during a Finance Committee hearing, accusing one of his white Republican colleagues of racism as he was questioning an African-American Power Authority nominee.

Sen. Carl Marcellino, who is a member of the Finance Committee, called Parker’s outburst “totally inappropriate,” and said he intends to “speak to Kevin personally” about his behavior.

Marcellino, a Long Island Republican, said Parker grew angry at the way Sen. John DeFrancisco, a Syracuse Republican, was questioning Mark O’Luck, who has been nominated by Gov. David Paterson to serve as a member of the Power Authority board.

At issue were comments O’Luck made on the Times’ City Room blog in February 2009, in which he said that if government programs that benefit businesses owned by women and minorities weren’t around “white men and the connected would have access to nearly 100% of all city, state, and federal government dollars spent.”

Parker apparently found this line of questioning offensive, and made it clear by pounding on the table, according to Marcellino. At one point, things got so heated that Finance Committee Chairman Carl Kruger, who, like Parker, is a Brooklyn Democrat, told Parker he would have to be removed from the room if he didn’t calm down.

According to Marcellino, Parker replied with something along the lines of: “You better bring people.” Then he picked up his bags and left on his own accord.

“It was unnecessary,” Marcellino said. “If you don’t like the questions someone is asking, ask your own. John wasn’t saying anything nasty. He wasn’t being nasty. He was just pushing.”

Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Bronx Democrat, confirmed Marcellino’s version of events. He said he had tried unsuccessfully to get Parker to cool it.

“It was uncalled for,” Diaz Sr. said of Parker’s display. “At this stage, we have come a long way. I understand there is discrimination. I understand we have been fighting for years and years. But we cannot get angry when people start questioning us.”

“…It looked really bad for the whole committee,” Diaz Sr. continued. “Bad for everybody. We shouldn’t go through this.”

The committee voted to recommend O’Luck, although DeFrancisco voted “no.” Parker has so far not responded to my text (his preferred method of communication) asking him to call me.

UPDATE: Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Democratic conference, e-mailed this response:

“Senator Parker is a passionate and engaged advocate, especially when it comes to defending underprivileged communities. During the course of public debate, discussions became somewhat heated. End of story.”

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