Finally a breakthrough in NYS Senate?

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson is meeting with Senate leaders Friday to try and break the stalemate. Now the State Comptroller is looking to withhold their pay.

Governor Paterson could be working toward a breakthrough with Republican and Democratic Senate leaders who Thursday, according to one spokesman behind the scenes, said they were making some progress in a plan to share power.

"He is reviewing both of their power sharing proposals and has agreed to meet with them today," said Governor's Spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein. 

The Governor has ordered Senators to meet in session at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, during the Independence Day weekend, urging them to pass critical legislation, but if both sides are still fighting, there just may be a gaveling in and gaveling out.

Sen. Bill Stachowski said, "To think that just because we gavel in and gavel out it's going to be the first time that happened to me, it's not. I've been here on Palm Sunday. I've been here on Good Friday, it's not like, it's not earth shaking."

New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said he is planning to withhold pay for State Senators until a court requires him to release the funds, or there's a resolution of the leadership struggle.

Both Western New York Democratic Senators said Thursday lawmakers should not be docked pay.

"The reality is there's a lot more to our job than just being in session," Senator Stachowski said.

"The session is important, don't disagree with that, but a lot of other things that come into the life of public service then those ten or twelve hours a week when we're in session," said Antoine Thompson. 

The State's Senators are scheduled to get their next paycheck next Wednesday.