Paterson tries to break stalemate

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Get ready for some 4th of July fireworks in Albany! Governor David Paterson has ordered stalemated senators to stay at the capitol through the holiday weekend.

Governor Paterson, saying the State Senate is past the conflict stage and now in crisis, sat down with both Republican and Democratic Senate leaders late Thursday afternoon, hoping for a breakthrough.

Travis Prouix of the State Senate Press Office said, "They said they feel they made some progress and are going to continue to make progress tomorrow, and that's where it's at right now."

The governor has proposed withholding senators' pay, which raises complicated legal and constitutional issues. Western New York's two Democratic State senators said lawmakers deserve to be paid.

Senator Bill Stachowski said, "We do all the regular business we would be doing if we were out of session, so the fact that you're either in session or not, doesn't constitute whether you're working or not."

Senate gridlock is holding up the extension of cheap power to plants like General Motors Powertrain in Tonawanda, which rely on the break to keep costs down and keep people working.

Senator Antoine Thompson said, "This program is critically important for all of us."

Senators Stachowski and Thompson are urging their Republican counterparts to approve the Power for Jobs Bill the Democrats approved on Tuesday.

Senator Stachowski said, "This bill in particular, these members should join us in getting this bill signed by the governor."

Republicans say they already passed the Power for Jobs bill in a session the Democrats didn't recognize, and they blame Democrats for raising utility rates when they voted for the budget.

Senator George Maziarz said, "I think they're just playing more political games which is very frustrating. I wish they were this concerned about the power for jobs program when they voted to raise utility rates back on April the third."

The governor, meanwhile has ordered State senators to meet in session through the Independence Day weekend.

Governor Paterson said, "Yes, the legislators are spending the July 4th Weekend in Albany, hopefully resolving this conflict." (July 1, 2009)

Senator Stachowski said, "I've been here on Palm Sunday. I've been here on Good Friday. It's not like, earth shaking."

State senators are paying a price for the gridlock. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says he has stopped processing any Senate vouchers, including those for travel. Right now that amounts to $560,000 dollars.