Judge orders NYS senators back to work

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Senate stalemate in Albany is now threatening to slam the brakes on more than a quarter-million jobs.

A judge has ordered both parties to put the bickering aside and get back to work, but Monday night, it appears that won't happen.

Calling them egotistical and rude, a judge stepped in and ordered all 62 senators to get back to work, but already, that decision is being appealed and Republicans who say they won't be going to that special session Tuesday morning.

Considered a victory for Governor David Paterson, a judge has ordered state senators to get back to work and attend a special session on Tuesday morning, all 62 of them together!

But the win for the governor was short lived.

Late Monday, the Republican coalition announced it will be appealing the judge's ruling.

Senator Malcolm Smith said, "Basically saying we don't care what the justice system said. We don't care the Democrats have agreed. We don't care that the governor has agreed the believe the proposal is the right thing. They are still gonna hold out for the same old power grab."

What this means, according to Democrats, is that key legislation will not be voted on, affecting thousands of jobs.

Governor Paterson said, "The power for jobs program which 595 companies employ 330,000 is officially in peril."

Lawmakers on both sides have been hearing from their consitituents, who are angry about what many call petty politics.

Senator Dale Volker said, "This is very big stuff. This is not petty,"

Volker defends the thought of a political power grab, and says Democrats started the Albany argument, "They've said they're willing to support democracy, but when it comes right down to doing it, that's a different issue."

But the issue right now, is whether or not the two sides will get some work done.

Governor Paterson is warning all sentators to show up for session at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, "We expect every senator to be there and anyone who isn't, I would suggest you not rely on that lawyer when we take action against them."

Paterson won't be in Albany at 10:00 a.m., he'll be in Buffalo to announce an economic development project, along with Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver and United States Senator Charles Schumer.

As for the ruling, if senators ignore the order, Governor Paterson says he'll ask for permission to use State Troopers to bring senators to legislative chambers.