Jun 20, 2009 4:52 pm US/Eastern
Paterson Appoints Mediators For NY Senate Impasse
Democratic Lt. Governor Stan Lundine, Republican State Sen. John Dunne Agree To Mediate Senate Power Struggle
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Gov. David Paterson is appointing two statesmen to mediate the two-week-long power struggle that has gridlocked New York's Senate. (File)
AP
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Sens. Dean Skelos (l) and Pedro Espada (r) are sworn in in the New York Senate chambers on June 8, 2009.
CBS
Gov. David Paterson is appointing two statesmen to mediate the two-week-long power struggle that has gridlocked New York's Senate.
Paterson also announced that the state's top judge may preside over a special session of the Senate he will call if senators can't settle the dispute by early next week.
Paterson says former Democratic Lieutenant Gov. Stan Lundine and former Republican state Sen. John Dunne have agreed to act as mediators. Both men are well respected in both parties. Senate leaders would have to accept that help.
The Democratic governor also says Chief Judge Jonathan Lippmann will preside over a tentatively set special session to pass critical bills that have been delayed.
A Republican-dominated coalition tried to seize majority power from Democrats June 8.
The biggest stumbling block seems to be the insistence of Democratic Senator Pedro Espada on being the president of the Senate. Weeks ago, both he and Democratic Senator Hiram Monserrate caused an uproar when they took sides with the Republican Party.
"Since we can't agree on that, let's move that to the side. We have the whole summer to deal with it. Let's deal with the specific bills," said Sen. Adams.
But what really galls voters is that while they didn't pass any bills, they still found a way to make sure they get paid: $79,500 a year for the part-time jobs.
"I think that's awful. That's terrible. I mean, they should figure out how to get everybody else paid first," said Tony Aramburu, Park Slope resident.
"I just think that the whole thing is ridiculous, that they're not working," said Diane Traiger, East Side resident.
"I think it's a total disgrace. What's going on in Albany? I think they're putting their personal egos and little quarrels ahead of the people of the state," said Phillip Falk, Murray Hill resident.
"They should not be getting paid right now until they're back to normal," said Sharon Scott, Bed-Stuy resident.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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