I 100-percent, wholeheartedly, enthusiastically support Governor Paterson's decision to force these petty, power hungry senators into special session. Glue their lazy butts to their chairs until they've passed all pending legislation.

It's the last day on Albany's legislative calendar before summer recess, and Senators asked Gov. Paterson to delay an "extraordinary session" while they negotiate a power sharing deal. Paterson refused, ordering them to stay in Albany tomorrow and every day after to act on several bills, including same-sex marriage and a New York City sales tax increase. Senators are required to attend, but not to vote. Mayor Bloomberg said he's staying out of the fray, even though his control of City schools will expire in about a week if the Senate does nothing.
Do you agree with Bloomberg's decision to avoid the battle, or should he put more pressure on lawmakers? Are you glad Paterson is forcing an "extraordinary session," or will it turn out to be fruitless if stubborn Senators refuse to vote?
E-mail your thoughts, along with your first name and neighborhood, to the address above.

I believe that this gridlock is in some ways, a good thing since these unimaginative cretins, by not being in session are sparing us from the harmful effects of their insipid legislation. That said, can you promise us that if this is ever settled, that you wont opine that NY state needs a strongman like Baron von giuliani of transylvania for Guv.

John
Kissena Park

First of all as usual this Mayor and Silver are leading the pack from a distance. The other dummies are just puppets and as far as the polls go they are all made up numbers to impress us and continue to come out in their favor.
Why is it we keep hearing about the same three bills over and over again. They all seem to want to leave a legacy when they go and this governor continues to make a fool of himself.
We should have the power to get rid of all of these clowns and not have to wait for election time.

maxxiee
Morris Park

I think all these Senators are getting enough down time by not working and instead using precious time to play political games, with all due respect. I mean, don't they realize they have people's lives in their hands who just want them to do what they elected them to do? These Senators need to put aside all the pettiness and get down to the business of the issues at hand. They are NOT paid to fight and be spiteful etc.. Senators have a very important job and so.... they need to put their personal issues aside and reach some type of understanding so they can get back to work already! The time they have wasted not working on the issues should be taken out of their checks. Taxpayers suffer enough already.

Respectfully & Sincerely,
Ms. Victoria Mary Stong
Humanitarian & Civil Rights & Community Activist

I agree and applaud Governor Patterson for rejecting the senators plea to give them more time to reach an agreement. "Enough is enough," as the governor stated. They must get on with the business in which they were elected to do. I also feel that they should be docked a day's pay for each session they fail to discuss and vote on any of the pending legislation which affects the people of New York State. The State controller should not affix his signature to any paycheck these "Clowns" would receive from this day, Monday June 22, 2009, until all pending legislation is voted on
I would like to see Mayor Bloomberg and the other city mayors get more involve with pressuring these senators to get back to work and support the governor in forcing the senators into extra sessions until the work of the state is done. These city mayors have too much invested in the laws which must be decided on if their respective city are to survive in this economic climate.
Finally, I would like to see Michael Bloomberg take on Tom Collosono on the state level. Because of Callasono need for power on the state level we're in this situation. It would an interesting battle, billionaire vs billionaire for the conscience of New York State government.

Henry
Parkchester

Michael Bloomberg could accomplish a lot, as he's bankrolling a lot of the Republican activities in Albany -- it's time he put up or shut up, if he's really serious about his concerns. As for Mr. Paterson's threats, I bet the state senators up in Albany are just scared to death of what he might do. He's a joke, and his efforts are a joke -- and in terms of the notion of Chief Judge Lippman, that could create problems if the matter of this dispute comes before the State Court of Appeals; why didn't he ask retired Chief Judge Judith Kaye if she would preside, instead?
As to the public's reaction, 63 percent is mild -- wait till the people see how this idiotic power-grab and its consequences affect their daily lives, if budgetary and other matters aren't ironed out, and you'll see disapproval ratings for Albany soaring into the 70's and 80's.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

My political instincts informs me the best way to settle this Albany political impasse is by negotiation and compromise.
But are the senators eager to negotiate at this eleventh hour? That is the million dollar question for any pundit.

GEORGE
LeFrak City

consider the reason,cause,and goal that cause the coup,then make an inform decision.

frances in queens

I hope that the Governor ordering a special session gets these clowns back to work. We the people need these senators to work for what they get payed to do. In the end democracy in the state is at a stand still. I believe we the people deserve more from these rascals.

Freddy- Glen Oaks Village

We don't need Czar Bloomberg to put himself into this fiasco. The Governor needs to take a firmer stand as he said "The people's business has been delayed long enough". Therefore, either the Senators sit down and get to work or they all should be impeached - fired- and a special election held to replace them all.

That's All folks!
Eddie J
Brooklyn

Does it really matter what happens anymore??? If my fellow New Yorkers would take off their blinders, they'd see just how messed up we are. Our State Senate is corrupt. Our City Council is surely corrupt. Our Mayor??? He breaks the laws and has the City Council change the laws ....just for him. I'm supposed to believe that graduation numbers are up because Bloomberg and his other shadow Joel Kline said so??? New Yorkers. Get yourselves a cup of coffee, (if you can afford it now), you're sleeping at the wheel.

Norm Upper Eastside

I wish we could fire every Senator and elect people who will work for us, not themselves. I am not surprized that 63 per cent of those polled are tired of all this. I hope the Govenor is firm with them. They should work holidays, evenings and weekends. Bloomberg should stay out of it. There is important legislation that must be voted on soon. If it was up to me they would not get paid for all the time they have wasted.

Rosemary
Woodside

If there is no resolution tomorrow, change the locks to the chamber doors and hold an emergency NYS Senate election before September to replace all of them.

Liz
Rosedale

THE POWER STRUGGLE IN ALBANY!
THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE ESPADA AND THOSE OTHER DON'T CARE POLITICIANS MUST COME TO REALIZE THAT THE DAY FOR RECONING IS COMING WHEN HIM AND THE OTHERS WILL BE VOTED OUT OF THAT SENATE SEAT. MR. PATERSON, I HOPE HIS APPROVAL RATINGS INCREASES AND THE MAYOR GETS HIS WISH OF "MAYORAL CONTROL OF THE CITY SCHOOLS."
ALL NEW YORKERS SHOULD RISE UP LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN IRAN AND THROW ALL THOSE STATE SENATORS OUT OF ALBANY AND VOTE FOR NEW CHANGE. THEY ARE ALL "GOOD FOR NOTHINGS."

RESPECTFULLY,
CURTIS FROM CHELSEA

They should all be relieved of duty and an emergency election should be held to elect representatives that will show up for work.

Glenn G.

THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET TO WORK, AND THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT TO SEQUESTER THEM AND IF NEED BE HAVE THE SHERIFFS BRING THEM IN IF NEED BE.
THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING POLITICS FOR TOO LONG ON OUR DOLLAR.
THIS WAS A REPUBLICAN POWER GRAB, PURE AND SIMPLE, USING A FEW UNWITED OR POWER HUNGRY DEMOCRATS AS PAWNS.....

DAVID
EAST ELMHURST

the most dysfunctional legislature in the country seems to actually enjoy their wallowing.
these clowns in albany provide a perfect demonstration of why we need term limits in albany.
not so much for the governor because let's face it, we've had precious few governors that have stayed beyond 2 terms.
the assembly and senate are another hand altogether. we've had countless people who've lingered in albany for decades!
the founding fathers NEVER intended for there to be career politicians. make the term limit 12 years for all of 'em.

david f.
manhattan

I believe the democratic senators causing all this nonsense should be thrown out immediately and simply replaced. Heck, I could do just as good a job as they are at this point. This is completely ludicrous and absurd. They are ONLY interested in themselves - ENORMOUS EGOS and could care less about New York. I might as well not pay taxes next year for 2009.

olga b

I wish that all of the people that are created this whole mix up loose
two days of pay

Luvin me 1st

I agree with Geo from moriss park 1000%. And Mickey from prospect heights both are dead on. Why people dont see espada and monserate need to go, it's all about them and they call themselves public servants. They need to change there title to self servants!

Warren from Astoria