HTN: Capital Chaos Continues

Capital chaos contiues today, and it may be getting more random. A state Supreme Court judge ordered the warring sides back to the state Senate for a working session this morning. Judge Joseph Teresi sided with Governor David Paterson in the now three-week long power struggle. Teresi ordered the Senate to convene for a special session at 10 a.m.

But Senate Republicans filed an appeal to stay the order, attempting to put this morning's session on hold. Democrats then took over the Senate chamber again, placing senators in two key leadership chairs to bolster their claim that they control the Senate. Dems say several pieces of legislation must be acted on by today or they will expire, and that billions in education, stimulus, housing and other federal money will be lost. Democratic conference leader John Sampson says the coup will end up costing New York taxpayers seven-point-two-billion dollars.