Lawmakers ordered back for weekend

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - A furious Governor David Paterson is withholding the pork barrel pot and ordering senators into weekend sessions in a desperate effort to complete essential unfinished business.

Governor Paterson said, "They can keep hitting me. They can keep trying to hurt me. I'm going to stand up for what's right."

Paterson is talking about Senate lawmakers who are growing restless with his threats of pay cuts and court orders.

Now he's threatening to withhold pork barrel money senators give out individually, known as member items.

Paterson said, "These senators want to continue to spend taxpayer money on their pet programs while the people of the state are about to pay taxes for their inaction."

Democrats and Republicans met again Friday in separate back-to-back sessions, but conducted no state business.

The divided factions have been fighting for majority control of the chamber, but there's word that an agreement is near.

GOP Senate Leader Senator Dean Skelos said, "There is some progress being made. But we're prepared to stay the whole weekend, however long it's necesssary to get a deal done."

But Governor Paterson is not convinced.

Paterson said, "Now they're telling you that they're meeting, that they're very close to an agreement. No, they're very close to the weekend. They have put the weekend above the interests of New Yorkers."

In the meantime, the clock is ticking on critical measures like borrowing and taxes.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt says New Yorkers are fed up with the dysfunction, "We're in charge. They're in charge. They don't want to hear that nonsense. They just want the job to get done."

Republicans say critical decisions on legislation can't be made until an agreement is in place.

Governor Paterson has ordered Senate lawmakers back for sessions on Saturday and Sunday.