It is tempting, and possibly accurate, to observe that New Yorkers might benefit more from gridlock in the State Senate than to have it pursuing the people’s business, which both legislative chambers routinely interpret as spending more money.

But the truth is that many critical matters will be left undone, to the detriment of too many New Yorkers, if the senators refuse to acknowledge the facts that are holding their chamber in gridlock. Here are those facts:

Republicans legitimately claimed the Senate majority when they enticed two Democrats to vote with them. Democrats’ whining about the change is nothing but sour grapes. Republicans claimed the chamber leadership, and they retain it despite the subsequent redefection of one of the two Democrats who originally supported the coup. Sen. Hiram Monserrate returned to the Democratic fold, while Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. remains with the Republicans, who named him president pro tempore.

That redefection has, nonetheless, left the chamber in a 31-31 split. Republicans, with one Democrat in tow, legitimately control the chamber, but they can get nothing done without the agreement of at least one more Democrat. Absent a broad agreement, that additional Democrat does not appear to be in the offing.

Plainly, both sides need to come to an agreement. Indeed, the outlines of a possible one already have been presented. All that is necessary is for Democrats and Republicans to get over their fantasies of control and strike a deal.

Here’s what Democrats have suggested. When the Senate is in session, the position of temporary president would rotate between the parties daily. The floor leader from the opposition party would preside with the opposing temporary president. A bipartisan group composed of three senators from each party would set the agenda.

Republicans rejected the plan, saying that Democrats first need to acknowledge the legitimacy of the coup and Espada’s hold on the president pro tempore post.

Try this: Democrats do, indeed, need to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Republican coup. Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Long Island, is majority leader. But Republicans need to acknowledge arithmetic. The Senate is now evenly split. Rotating the president pro tempore position is not a preposterous idea.

One way or another, the parties have to come together on some kind of plan. Elections don’t occur for another year and a half. In the meantime, many issues need to be considered, and the Legislature will have another budget to mishandle.

It’s time for everyone to grow up.