Gee, if caffeine was the key to getting legislation passed, Governor Paterson should've installed a coffee machine inside the Seante chamber three weeks ago. Democrats' attempt to pass legislation this morning using coffee-craving Republican Senator Frank Padavan to meet quorum was highly comical. But to be honest, at this point I wouldn't care if Governor Paterson signed off on those bills. New Yorkers are sick of inaction. And, what made today even worse was the time-sensitive legislation senators left by the wayside. I'm not saying I necessarily support mayoral control or a sales tax increase, but it's not fair for city residents to be left in limbo when it comes to things like their children and their money. I mean, those are some pretty important things, don't you think?

Voting started and several critical bills passed the State Senate this morning. Too bad it didn't count. Democrats started to vote after Republican Senator Frank Padavan briefly walked through the chamber. Democrats claim his mere presence gave them quorum. GOP leadership described the move as "trickery," and even Governor Paterson said he wouldn't recognize it.

So, for the 22nd day, Senators are at a stalemate. With a midnight deadline for several critical bills approaching, Paterson called another special session for tonight at 7. Mayoral control of public schools and almost four billion dollars in federal funding could be at stake.

How would you characterize the attempt by Democrats to vote on critical bills this morning? What would it say to you if Senators let tonight's deadline pass without voting? Do you think they will?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

Following the lack of doings in Albany is like watching a middle school playground on a really bad day.

I’d like to see a third party emerge from this where NY’ers could have a real opportunity to shake up the ‘same old stuff, different day’ garbage that is passed off as public service – forget leadership. This two party gridlock that has been going on for too many years has reached critical mass and Patterson is in way over his head. There is no way this morons will redeem themselves by midnight. With any hope at all the people will rise up and hold them accountable.

Dan
Battery Park City

"Over-reaching" and "Undemocratic" are how I would characterize what the senators reportedly did this morning. In the immortal words of Winston Churchill " I never worry about action, but only inaction."

GEORGE
LeFrak City

I think that the State Senate is too wrapped in nursing their little grudges to care about the people of New York.

Kathleen

I doubt that anything will get done -- apparently, now the senators on each side think that they're going to hold the state and its residents hostage, until the public takes sides in some definitive way. It's like a game of "chicken" involving public policy, finances, and, as far as the issue of gay marriage, civil rights. And everyone is now positioning themself to make points for the next statewide elections, which could be a real free-for-all.

Barring a public uprising, the solution might be for the Attorney General of the State of New York, or the Governor -- through the appointment of a special prosecutor -- to start the process of bringing charges against the leaders on both sides for violating of their respective oaths of office; and, growing from that, bring civil or criminal charges against them. Perhaps that would be enough to get the rank and file on both sides to decide for themselves to end this farce.

Another matter than no one has brought up in the midst of all of this is that roughly one member in six of the State Senate are women -- 10 in all, I believe, spread among the Republicans and Democrats, though mostly the latter. One would think they might have the good sense to band together and tell the leaders on both sides (who are all men) that they can either end this pissing contest now, or they'll walk out and then NOBODY has a quorum.

Then, as they say in Scotland, the haggis would really be in the fire.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

Throw them out although anything that gives Bloomberg less power I am happy about!

Rich
Midtown East

BESIDES BEING A STATE OF PEOPLE, WE ARE IN FACT A STATE OF LAWS AS WELL. WHEN MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE DOES NOT DO THE PEOPLES BUSINESS, IT SADDENS ME. I CAN'T HELP TO THINK THAT THERE IS SOME UNDERLYING AGENDA THAT WOULD NOT BENEFIT ME, BUT, IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS MAY BENEFIT THOSE IN CHAMBERS ONLY. SUPPOSE, HYPOTHETICALLY THERE WAS A BIG BUNDLE OF ALLEGED LOOT DROPPED OFF SOMEWHERE, AND ALLEGEDLY, ELECTED OFFICIALS CAUSED THIS FIASCO TO STALL ON PURPOSE BECAUSE OF SOME MONEY GRABBING. HEAVEN FORBID. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THEORIES LIKE THIS?

JOE, BAY TERRACE

We don't have to wait till march, april, or may for the circus comes to town, just get some popcorn and watch Albany!!

Ray
Bklyn N,Y.

The bills are not critical to all of us, we all seem to oppose all of them. How come we haven't seen this mayor until it concerned him about all of these bills. Washington was here yesterday and gave Hunts Point a wad of money and many other people or I should say area's have gotten a lot of money. So if we got so much money why are the fares, rents and taxes going up?

They have to get them out, all of them.

maxxiee
mp

they should take the results from anyone who voted and make it law.
those who didn't vote lose.

Rich/Chelsea

If this kills mayoral control of the schools, I will be delighted.

Lizabeth
Upper Westside

I am a teacher in a NYC public high school. Michael Bloomberg and Joel Klein have done little to improve the schools over the past few years. Safety is still a pressing daily issue and the graduation rate of my school is just above 50%--despite a school report grade of "B". Education is not a business. All of the New York State Senators deserve to be voted out, but I must admit that the children of NYC will benefit without the Mayor running the schools.

Michael
Queens

they are an embarrassment. Their hubris to the detriment to the citizens of NY is inexcusable. Just as they interfered with congestion pricing, they continue to display that they do not know what is of concern to NY citizens. Throw the bums out!

Tom - Hell's Kitchen

I can only hope that King Bloomberg doesn't get his way this time with Mayoral Control of the Schools. Maybe this is payback time for his term limits extension. Is he really concerned about the kids or losing power?

Angela, Bronx

One Roman Emperor wanted to make his horse a Senator and the Roman Senate was insulted.

Maybe the People should look at Aqueduct, Saratoga and Belmont for replacements for our New York Senate! I believe at this point we would rather see Horse sense rather than non sense. think the horses .

Bernie
Woodside, New York

There are no more words left for the actions of "the senate." It defies logic that these people could be this selfish. On an interesting side note, it is mildly amusing to hear Mayor Bloomberg talk about democracy.

Mark
Rego Park

I am sooo happy that Mayoral control might FINALLY end. As a teacher in the NYC schools I know how dangerous this man is. It would take me too long to explain that statement. I am so glad that there is a light at the end of this long dark tunnel. This mayor has no business heading the schools, and has surrounded himself with people who agree with him, no matter how wrong he may be. He is hurting the most vulnerable special ed kids. He says he cares, but its all about scores and a shiny exterior. I would love to see him spend a week in a classroom.

It is nice to see that he cant buy this one, although I am sure that he is trying real hard to do just that. I for one, am being represented by this move that the NY State Senate is making.

Bravo to them all.

Marisa
Astoria

Let me say this: twindle dee and twindle dumb, please spare us from such as these.The people are fed up with such as these.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

I enjoy your show and have written in before.  Regarding the mess in the state senate, I must admit I initially reserved my anger for the two defecting senators creating this mess.  But as time has lagged on I cannot believe they have allowed this to continue as it has.  As an NYC teacher I spend a lot of time explaining to kids how to resolve conflicts -- these guys could use some wisdom on figuring out how to work together.  The Dems attempts at "quorum" this morning were simply childish and petty.  It didn't help anyone.

I have mixed feelings about Mayoral control of the schools.  While some progress has been made, I also feel Bloomberg has become a bit drunk with power (and he has played some games with stats; that's another debate).  But this isn't the way it should be addressed.

Question:  Does anyone have the power to:
    a) stop paying the NYS Senate; or
    b) dissolve the NYS Senate?

If someone does I would support that person 100%.  The rest of us would lose our jobs if we simply stopped doing them.

Sal
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Although their power seems to be absolute I am angry and feeling quite taken advantage of by the senators of my State. Quite simply put they all need to be fired and brought up on charges for delinquency of such an important position. Lots of money that was given to our state will be forfieted while they continue to squabble, this is unacceptable.

Vincent From Manhattan

THIS TOTALLY ABOUT MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S GREEDY POWER GRAB..... THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE BUDGET.... IT ONLY ABOUT BLOOMBERG GETTING HIS WAY

LEE

The Mayor is not a savior. He makes it seem like he needs control of the school. He is a control freak and it's time for him to go.

Charles
Brooklyn

If the public is really outraged by this chaos, I say we should all make a pack to vote out the incumbent regardless of political party. Albany is laughing at us, because they know they will never be voted out.

Rome
Hamilton Heights

MAYOR CONTROL OF CITY SCHOOL THE MAYOR SHOULD STEP BACK AND LET THE CHANCELLOR DO HIS JOB..

CESAR
BRONX NY

The figures the mayor presents us with are, at best, questionable. I have teachers in my family--some near retirement--and I respect their opinions. One alleges that a student can receive a 95% on a social studies final with just 75% of multiple choice questions correct, and a score of 50% on the essay part. How is this "progress"? When these students go on to college, more money will have to be spent on remedial courses. So I believe the mayor is offering us a sham when he uses these "statistics" to claim that mayoral control work.

Art
Manhattan

President Obama and Congress should intervene at this point and do whatever it takes to replace all 62 senators. They were voted in to represent our interests, not waste enormous amounts of our hard-earned income in a recession no doubt. They need to be fired!

Marie
Bay Ridge Brooklyn

Is Senator Paddan afraid to say he went to the chambers. Why would he go to the chambers to get a cup of coffee? Our country is in need of honest sound minds. We don't need who don't like who. In their next run for office I hope their community remember the childish ones. No worse coming to your home trying to overthrow your family. Some have a sand box mentality. Kindergartners bicker like this in who get to ride the swings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Princella

Just to let you know that I am a regular viewer/listener to your TV segment.

Thanks
Ruthann

Our mayor has done many good thing for our city. Rather than take pot shots at his attempt to enter the "education arena" and establish a model with processes , rules, guidelines and tools, we should be pooling our ideas and perspectives and supporting him

He has not consistently demonstrated that when financial business models are refined and ported into a governmental infrastructure, good things happen, New York improves, and the city makes money. He is not afraid to take a risk , try something new, to get something done. He along with his advisors will MAKE IT WORK. So let's take off our critic's caps and put on our thinking caps

Is there any need to lament over the Old Board of Ed, and all its flaws and corruption? . LET IT GO……….It is the past, we need to look forward so we can move forward.

To get something done, one needs to enact change, not continue to put lipstick on the pig. We continue to hard slam Mike's attempts at a new Education Model and in the same breath sit back and allow our NY Senators to continue their antics in Albany. These are the people we should be slamming, and slamming right out of office, not Mike Blumberg

John

As suggested last night on NY1, I called the Senate this morning and spoke to someone in the office of my senator, Velmanette Montgomery. I stated that I was outraged by the nonsense in the Senate, and that it was clear that the senators were placing their party's interests ahead of the needs of 19 million citizens, and particularly hundreds of thousands of students. At this point, I am furious with both parties and would be willing to vote every incumbent out at the next election.

The person on the phone -- who did not ask for any information about me (I had identified myself as a constitutent of Senator Montgomery's), said, "Well, thank you for calling." Her tone made it clear that my opinion had very little importance in the Senator's office. She has lost a vote in her next election run.

Jeanne

Comments: I have one comment about the State Senate - the inmates are now running the asylum. Wait until re-election rolls around.

JE - Queens

I seem to be alone on this, but I think it's terrific that the Dems in Albany are refusing to bow to yet another Republican shenanigan.

Everyone is grouping the Senate together, but it's a panicked GOP that started this mess and it should be seen as such. The Republicans have been looting this State for 40 years and will do anything to keep the cookie jar open. In this case the Republicans are certainly showing their true colors- if you can't win, cheat.

Republican ideas have failed miserably on a National level and certainly on a State level and their new motto should be "the Party's over"

Espada is a disgrace. Hopefully, the investigation into his corruption can be concluded during this time and an indictment handed down that would oust him so we can all move on.

-- Travis

Native New Yorker, Chelsea