Skip to Main Navigation

The Buffalo News

Web Search
by YAHOO! SEARCH

Paterson tells State Senate it must act to end gridlock

Published:June 22, 2009, 7:36 AM

Font Size:
  • E-mail
  • Share
  • Print

Updated: August 21, 2010, 12:03 AM

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson on Sunday ordered New York’s Senate into special session beginning Tuesday in a bid to end a partisan power struggle that has paralyzed the chamber for two weeks. He said he will compel senators to stay in Albany indefinitely until they act.

“I will convene a special session every day until they do,” Paterson said. “That means Saturdays, Sundays, that includes July 4, there will be no excuses and there will be no tolerance to noncompliance with this order.”

Asked whether that included using state troopers to bring senators into the chamber, Paterson said he does not expect any elected official to refuse to attend. He added, however, that he would take action against those who defy the order but declined to elaborate.

The 2009 regular session ends today.

The Democratic conference welcomed Paterson’s plan for a special session presided over by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippmann, who oversees the state’s judicial system. Democrats won majority control of the Senate in the November election only to face a revolt June 8 by a coalition of 30 Republicans and two dissident Democrats who voted to take majority control.

The Senate hasn’t been able to assemble enough of its members to begin action since one of the coalition’s Democrats, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, returned to the Democratic conference, leaving the chamber in a 31-31 deadlock.

“To the people of New York, I tell you that this situation will be addressed and we will get the people’s business done,” Paterson said. “We’re not a government of people. We’re a government of laws.”

Although a governor can compel legislators into special session and set the agenda of bills, lawmakers can’t be forced to vote. Paterson said his agenda will include more than a dozen measures to authorize local governments, including New York City, to arrange taxing or borrowing to raise revenue already planned for in their budgets. He also seeks to extend major laws without substantive change, including those providing mayoral control of New York City schools and a program that provides lower cost energy to major employers.

A bill held up in the Senate to legalize same-sex marriage won’t be on the special session’s agenda but could be added if the Senate acts first on the bills that are Paterson’s top priorities and then tries to make up for its two weeks of inaction.

The coalition’s leaders said no special session is needed and they plan to continue meeting in the chamber through the week and beyond today’s scheduled end of the 2009 legislative session.

“What we do need is all 62 senators to show up for work,” said Democratic Sen. Pedro Espada of the Bronx, elected Senate president by the coalition.

“We will stay in session to get the people’s business done and hope that we reach an agreement that will get the members of the Senate Democratic conference to join us,” said Republican Sen. Dean Skelos of Nassau County, the coalition’s majority leader.

The Democrats, however, won’t work under the coalition’s leaders, and the coalition won’t relinquish control.

“We have to put partisanship aside and work together so we can work to serve the people,” said Democratic conference spokesman Austin Shafran.

Neither side would respond to Paterson’s threat to keep senators in Albany indefinitely.

Comments

There are no comments on this story.

The Feed / What’s Happening Now

Latest Updates
Most Commented
Most Viewed
Sabres & NHL

Sabres show some gumption in beating Bruins

Courts

White firefighters are awarded $2.7 million in bias case

Batavia/Genesee County

Woman, 24, found dead in car

East Side

Police raids target massive drug ring

Bills & NFL

Bills hire a quarterback mechanic in Lee

Student illnesses in Le Roy

Answers to the many questions in Le Roy

Bucky Gleason

Sabres find the missing ingredients

City & Region

Catholic institutions here cover birth control

Rod Watson

Lady Justice’s blindfold gets thrown away

Newsroom Tips

Have a news tip you think The Buffalo News should investigate?

Call The News tip line at 849-4475 or email us at investigations@buffnews.com.

All calls and emails will be kept confidential.

Buffalo Marketplace

Marketplace videos

Watch the latest offers, products and services from our advertisers.

Browse our print ads

It's the ultimate advantage for Buffalo consumers. Never miss another ad again!

Buffalo Savers: coupons

Buffalo coupons at your fingertips.
Just click and print. It's Easy!

close

Browse our print adsclose

Special Sections

Buffalo Saversclose

Local coupons

Featured coupon

Latest Blogs

Buffalo News Live

Breaking down the USDA plant hardiness zone map

Prep Talk

PrepTalkTV: Big night for St. Joe's on court & ice, plus more highlights & a look at hoops' final week

Campus Watch

Niagara-Siena Game Analysis

Sports, Ink

This Day in Buffalo Sports History: Quirk of fate

SulliView

So, a supermodel and a quarterback walk into a bar...