Saying that the only deal the fractured New York State senators are working on “is the weekend,” Governor David Paterson announced today that he has stopped paying lawmakers’ member items and is going to court to force them to get back to work.

At a news conference this afternoon, Paterson said the issues affecting the state must be addressed and he will go to court to end the ongoing power struggle.

He said none of the extraordinary sessions held in the past week were legal because there was no quorum.

“They’re going to stay here every day and don’t be fooled; they’re only here, they’re only talking because I keep calling special sessions,” said the governor. “They’re going to blame it on me. But believe me, I didn’t get to this until two weeks after they didn’t act.”

The court appearance should be at some point this afternoon.

Lawmakers in Albany claim that they are closing in on a deal that would end the nearly three-week stalemate in the Senate. Leaders from both parties are said to be on the verge of an agreement, with normal legislative business possibly resuming by next week.

Earlier today, the two groups held separate, back-to-back sessions, complying with the governor’s order. However, neither group conducted any business; the Democrats decided to hold a moment of silence for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

Yesterday afternoon, Democrats gaveled in and gaveled out, which they argue is enough to fulfill their legal responsibilities. Republicans then did the same after Democrats left the chamber.

Neither session lasted longer than five minutes.

Democrats say their session is not constitutional because the Assembly has not been called back, as well.

“Five days left before June 30th [when several bills sunset] and, at this point, waiting for extra session, both Assembly and Senate, constitutionality of legislation is too important to have mock sessions to get stuff done,” said Democratic State Senator John Sampson.

But State Senator Pedro Espada Junior, the renegade Democrat who helped the GOP stage their June 8th coup, is more optimistic.

“Our staff has been meeting. We have a template and folks that I think for the first time have put down their armors and their shields and are really talking to each other in a respectful way,” said Espada. “We are obviously trying to resolve the impasse not just for a day or two, but throughout the coming months where we have to take on many more issues.”

The state Assembly, meanwhile, is rejecting Democratic calls that they should return to Albany, too.

Source: NY1