Today is the first payday since State Controller Thomas DiNapoli ordered last week that the biweekly paychecks of all 62 state senators be held until they resolve the dispute which has stifled progress in Albany for the past month.

Senators will be losing about $3,000 every two weeks.

There are still unresolved questions about whether the controller actually has the authority to hold back the paychecks.

The pay freeze comes as at least three long-term power sharing plans have emerged, two of them from the Democrats. Republicans and some Democrats are eyeing tomorrow as a possible deadline for an agreement to end their month-long stalemate, and get back to work.

A deal could call for Republicans and Democrats to share top leadership positions, resources, and staff more equitably, and rotate top leaders of the Senate.

“We think we’re substantially there, but certainly there are certain things that the Democrat conference has a right to make recommendations, perhaps changes,” said Republican State Senator Dean Skelos. “They are small changes hopefully.”

The Republican plan calls for Skelos and Democratic State Senator Pedro Espada to keep their disputed titles of majority leader and senate president. But the power of the presidency of the senate would be diluted and shared.

Governor David Paterson is expected to talk about the State Senate situation at 5 o’clock this afternoon. NY1 will carry that address live.

The State Senate has been deadlocked since a June 8th coup by Republicans and two rogue Democrats to seize power from State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. State Senator Hiram Monserrate, one of the two Democrats involved in the takeover, returned his allegiance to the Democratic Party – tying up the legislative body 31-31.

Source: NY1