NY Senate standoff hits breakthrough

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - All sides in a monthlong standoff in New York's Senate say they've agreed to work out a power-sharing deal from two proposals.

They say the conflict begun in a parliamentary coup June 8 could be over as early as Thursday.

Gov. David Paterson and leaders of the Democratic conference and a Republican-dominated coalition say they will share top leadership positions, share resources and staff more equitably, and rotate top leaders of the Senate.

Exactly how that will be done, however, is the business of the next two days.

Republican leader Dean Skelos and Democrat Pedro Espada, the coalition's leaders, say Thursday is the deadline for a deal.

Democratic leaders John Sampson and Malcolm Smith, however, say there is no hard deadline for agreement.

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