Unable to come an agreement over the state budget, lawmakers in Albany signed off Monday on an emergency spending plan to keep the state's business going while they're on Passover and Easter break.

Currently, it does not look likely that both sides will reach a deal by the budget deadline of April 1st.

That will mean the plan will be late for the fourth straight year.

"It's reasonable to say we will not have an April 1st budget. I'm still very optimistic that we can be within a week or two of that deadline," said State Senator Liz Krueger.

Lawmakers did meet this past weekend to try and find ways to fill the state's $9 billion budget deficit.

While the Governor, Assembly and Senate have all agreed on about $3.5 billion in cuts, about another $1.5 in reductions are still needed.

The sides remain divided over the Governor David Paterson's tax increases on sugary drinks and cigarettes. That's in addition to his proposed $1.4 billion cut to education funding.

"We need education, we can't afford to loose a generation to education," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

"We stopped the mid-year school cuts last year and also cuts to education in last years budget, but at the same time decisions have to be made," said Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson.

Meanwhile, several Republicans expressed concern Monday about recessing when there's still so much work to be done.

"There's no reason for us going home today. We should be here until April 1st. We should be here until this budget is passed,"" said State Senator Marty Golden.

"It's not a failure because an on time budget budget does not mean a good budget," Sampson said. "We want a good budget that doesn't raise taxes, it has property tax relief and it shows the investment in health and education. I think that are one of the key components of having a good budget."

Lawmakers say they will be on call this week, in the event there is movement on the budget.

Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch also plans to meet with the Assembly Speaker and Senate Democratic leaders on Wednesday.