Senate leaders meet with NY governor

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York senators will lose their independence this 4th of July holiday. Their bickering over who is in charge has led the governor to insist they meet in session, even if nothing is accomplished.

Battling Senate leaders together met with Governor David Paterson for the second day and say they are moving closer to a power sharing agreement.

Senator Pedro Espada said, "I think what was very different is exactly what you're seeing, is that we are together and focused on the resolution. We're no longer apart, throwing shots at each other from one side of the isle to the other."

Senator Malcolm Smith said, "(The) bottom line is we want to restore the public confidence."

But a spokeswoman for the governor says not much seems to have changed.

Governor Paterson's spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein said, "(it) didn't seem like that much changed from yesterday. They gavelled in and gaveled out of session and they will be here this weekend."

Many taxpayers are fed up, saying it's childish behavior.

Buffalo taxpayer Norm Baker said, "I think they're a bunch of juvenile delinquents.

Number one, we're paying their salary and nothing's getting done. Then they wonder why New York State is going down hill."

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is now saying the senators will not be paid next Wednesday, "There's no way to excuse this kind of gridlock and deadlock."

Docking senator's pay is just fine with taxpayers who have had enough.

Buffalo taxpayer Pat Quinn said, "Maybe if you make it a little bit tougher for them, let them know what the public is going through."

Buffalo taxpayer Wayne Harris said, "That's why people are running away from New York State because of high expenses and bickering like this."