Lawmakers called to finalize budget

ALBANY, N.Y (WIVB) - Senate leader John Sampson isn't sure if all 32 Democrats will be at today's extraordinary budget session.

And without them, it appears there is little chance that the final budget bill will be passed.

Thursday marks 17 weeks since the deadline- just two weeks short of 2004's record-late budget.

Labor unions say the governor is trying to pressure legislators ahead of the session by talking about laying off thousands of state workers.

Paterson says that's necessary, because lawmakers won't negotiate.

"Do you have a better idea now of how many layoffs it would take to achieve the necessary savings? I can't tell you off the top of my head Steve, it would depend on when we start the layoffs which is why it appears we're going to have to move that date up," said Governor Patterson.

The governor has said he's planning for those layoffs beginning immediately- but unions claim he's bound by an agreement not to cut jobs before January 1st.