Updated 07/28/2010 09:35 PM
Albany Special Session Gets Off To Uneventful Start
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State lawmakers were called to Albany for a special session Wednesday, but so far, it has turned out to be anything but.
The State Senate gaveled in but did little else.
Several lawmakers were conspicuously absent such as Senate Pro Tem Malcolm Smith, who is away on vacation.
After about 15 minutes of bickering, the State Senate gaveled out and adjourned until Thursday morning without casting a single vote.
Governor David Paterson called the extraordinary session in hopes of bringing the final element of his budget plan to a vote.
Among the issues on the table are a contingency plan to protect the state if it doesn't receive federal Medicaid funds, and a plan letting SUNY and CUNY schools set their own tuition rates.
Senate Republicans say they have yet to see a bill on either plan.