Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Democrats, Republicans each claim the gavel, but progress appears doubtful

ALBANY -- After more than two weeks of deadlock, all 62 members of the state Senate showed up in the chamber Tuesday in response to Gov. David Paterson's call for a special session.

At the end of a frenzied day that included dueling sessions in the same chamber, it was unclear if any of the legislation passed by either faction would stand up to legal scrutiny.

"I've been a public servant here for over 20 years," Paterson said in a news conference about an hour after both sides stood at ease, "and what I've seen in the last two weeks in the Senate disgusts me. The Senate's inaction is a dereliction of duty. They've clearly forgotten who they serve."

Paterson then issued a second proclamation calling the Senate back for another special session at 3 p.m. today, with an agenda topped by this year's most controversial measure: the legalization of gay marriage.

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