Hometown News: Senate Standoff Continues

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is asking a state judge to rule if he can withhold pay from state lawmakers involved in the ongoing feud in Albany. Comptroller DiNapoli argues he can hold onto paychecks for all 62 Senators with Governor Paterson refusing to take sides in the power struggle. The governor says the true leader of the Senate remains unclear. Another special session is scheduled for today. No officials business was conducted Monday in the state Senate.

A new concept been suggested to end the stalemate in the state Senate. A co-majority was proposed by Senate Republicans and renegade Democratic Senator Pedro Espada Jr. and would remain in effect through 2010. The Democratic conference has so far rejected the notion. The biggest barrier to continuing co-leadership would require Senate rules to be rewritten, which could become a long, drawn-out affair. Also, co-leaders could have trouble making personnel decisions regarding staff and other resources, since many positions are given to party loyalists.

One state Assemblyman wants Governor Paterson to appoint a Lieutenant Governor to break the stalemate in the state Senate. Assemblyman Michael Gianaris of Queens says current laws leave the door open for Paterson to make an appointment. The Lieutenant Governor's post has been vacant since Paterson assumed the governor's seat in the wake of the Eliot Spitzer scandal. The position has the power to break ties in the Senate. The move could spark lawsuits from the GOP, since Paterson would select a Democrat.