Jun 26, 2009 7:13 pm US/Eastern
Senators Claim To Make Progress, Paterson Laughs
Different Scenarios Could Play Out, But Embattled Governor Says Only Thing They Are Close To Is "The Weekend"
ALBANY (CBS) ―
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Stay with CBS 2 and WCBSTV.com for the latest in the political power shift in Albany.
CBS
There is still no clarity to the chaos in Albany.
State senators claim they're making progress on a power-sharing deal, while Gov. David Paterson is trying to goose them along by hitting them where it hurts -- in the pork-barrel pocketbook.
The dysfunctional state Senate couldn't even agree on honoring dead celebrities.
Meeting separately, the Democrats announced a silent pause to remember Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. While the Republicans just held a general moment of silence without specifying why.
At least the two sides agreed to talk about how to share power. Negotiations went on all day and leaders on both sides insist they are creeping closer to a deal.
One plan would reinstall Queens Sen. Malcolm Smith as Senate president -- with Long Island Republican Dean Skelos named majority leader.
Pedro Espada, the Bronx Democrat who sides with the GOP, would become Senate vice president, while Brooklyn's John Sampson would be named Democratic conference leader.
But Gov. Paterson sarcastically dismissed any talk of progress.
"Now they're telling you that they're meeting, that they're very close to an agreement. No, they're very close to the weekend," Paterson said.
Paterson said the senators are derelict in their duty and promised to cut off millions of dollars in pork-barrel projects known as "member items" until the Senate gets its house in order.
Paterson ordered state officials to find a way to cut off senators' paychecks and their reimbursement for expenses.
He's also going to court, claiming the Senate has illegally met without a quorum.
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