Gov. Paterson Won't Budge On Senate Special Session

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Paterson is refusing the New York Senate's request to delay ordering a special session for one more day as senators try to negotiate a power sharing deal to break a two-week impasse in the chamber.

Paterson is ordering senators to stay in Albany on Tuesday and likely for several more days to take legislative action that's required by the end of the month. The Democratic governor also says he'll require additional special sessions to consider bills on reforms, fiscal controls and legalization of same-sex marriage.

Although senators must attend special sessions, they aren't required to vote.

Democrats and a Republican-led coalition, split 31-31 in the chamber, continue to work Monday on a power sharing arrangement.

The power-sharing deal would involve rotating presidents of the Senate and create two equal floor leaders instead of a single majority leader.

Comments

[Wordsmith]

Power sharing, rotating Presidents? Is that legal under the State Constitution? Can they just "make it up" as they go along? The arrogance on all sides is completely over the top.

[JamesNickerson]

Wow, this seems like one huge mess.