We could be talking about Bernie Madoff's sentencing, or the higher subway and bus fare you paid today. We could be talking about U.S. troop withdrawals in Iraq, or even the funeral plans for Michael Jackson. But no. Every time I try to get out, State Senators pull me back in. 21 days later, they still can't get their acts together. And now the State stands to lose almost four billion dollars in federal funding. If we do, these clowns should be sleeping in the same cell block as Bernie...

Three weeks ago today, the State Senate effectively shut down. If they don't act by midnight tomorrow, New York State stands to lose almost four billion federal funding dollars. Mayoral control of City schools may also be in jeopardy.

Today, Democrats offered to temporarily shelve the disagreement over Senate leadership and vote on "non-controversial bills." That wouldn't include mayoral control. But Republicans and dissident Democrat Pedro Espada said Democrats "still refuse to accept that they lost a legal, legitimate vote to change leadership, and they are still arguing for an ill-advised, one-day fix to pass a few bills."

Should the Senate meet tomorrow to vote on "non-controversial" bills in order to secure billions in federal funding? Or is control of the Senate more important? Should mayoral control be included in tomorrow's vote?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME ON YOU! In the midst of thousands of New Yorkers losing their jobs/incomes, you all have the gall to pay yourselves for calling in and gaveling to adjourn no more than 15 minutes later! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME ON YOU!

Myrna

Throw the bums out!

Rich
Midtown East

IF I WERE IN POWER, I WOULD INFORM THE SENATORS OF THE FOLLOWING. RANDOMLY, A COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECK OF THE SENATOR SELECTED AND THE DEALINGS BEING WORKED ON. IF THERE WERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD NOT PASS THE SNIFF TEST I WOULD INDICT THAT SENATOR.

I WOULD DO THAT TO ONE SENATOR A DAY. WE WOULD HAVE UNCOVERED CLOSE TO 22 SENATORS THUS FAR. I ASSURE YOU THEY WOULD BE BACK IN CHAMBERS FORTH WITH. SOMETHING IS AMISS.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

why dont we have any leaders in this state is everyone here totally selfish to the point where there is no graeter good. (excuse the spelling; I attended city schools at one point. I suggest a steel cage match between lizardman espada and malcolm smith (winner take all). New York State has degenerated to this cesspool.

John
Kissena Park

We stand to lose four billion dollars in federal funding and there is a question about whether or not to act?????????? I think the entire State Senate should be thrown out and we should all begin over again – and none of the current members ought to be allowed to stand for reelection. Why is Mayoral control of the schools controversial?

Sue
Chelsea

I called my Senator who's a democrat and they say that they have been going to the special sessions. Then I called a Republican Senator and they say that no Democrat was in their session. I asked what session was this, they said the one the Governor made. I don't know if the D's and R's are meeting in different rooms or what but both sides are saying they are meeting up so it seems they are not in the same room. This is ridiculous! Get both back to work in the same chamber!

Carina, 19, Queens

While I am glad that the courts have ordered the senators to session tomorrow, I am skeptical as to whether it will actually compel the senators to get any work done. My suspicion is that they will gavel in and gavel out, much like they've been doing this past week. I am ashamed, disappointed and disheartened to see 62 elected officials be so stubborn and reluctant to do the work we elected them to do. I wholeheartedly support Rudy Guiliani's suggestion that there be a constitutional convention to evaluate ways to improve our shamefully defective system. I'd suggest implementing no-confidence votes for all elected officials. Most of these 62 senators need to go!

-Terence from Chinatown.

Yes, I agree with the democratic state senators to put their differences aside with their republican counterparts for the good of the people of New York to return for tomorrows session since billions of federal dollars are in jeopardy of being lost to this state. But with the republicans and turncoat Espada refusing to return unless the democrats realize that the June 6 change of leadership vote is legal just shows that these Republican Senators, along with power hungry Pedro Espada, do not have the well-being of the citizens of New York state on their agenda, just power for themselves and should be defeated in 2110.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Henry-------------------Parkchester

Stop the clocks in Albany! And send in the national guard, force the senate into doing the peoples work if not they should all be removed from office a new election should take place. or let the state assembly control the state business. the senate has proved worthless.

Rich/Chelsea

It's imperative state senators relegate their bone of contention about leadership tussle and compromise to avoid New York State losing what amounts to almost four billion dollars.

During this hard economic times, any money, especially the billions at stake need to come to the state regardless of what the legislators are fighting for. Now is time for these legislator to put public interest ahead of self interest. Regardless of which side of the aisle is right, these legislators must subjugate their ambitions and must not fold their arms while the stream flows uphill.

George
LeFrak City

I have a daughter enrolled in kindergarten next fall. The prospect of
handing the school system over to an elected school board terrifies
me, and makes me think twice about living in the city. The idea that
any New Yorker would trust these clowns in Albany to hand over our
kids education to their political lackeys back home is absurd. I trust
our Mayor over these politicians any day.

Bethany
Park Slope

An "emergency special election" is long over-do to rid ourselves of these clowns and they should be banned from running. I'm sure we have able-bodied and more intelligent people who will use common sense in governing this state. Patterson and Bloomberg are only grandstanding - period.

Liz
Rosedale

the judge should put all senators in jail if they gavel out and refuse to work. some of the 4 billion could help the school regardless of who administers it - the board of ed didn't do any better. the issues that were voted on should stand regardless of who has power

renee

Hi John,

I always thought that politicians were the sleaziest, most egotistical people on the planet, but this Albany fiasco proves it. From this day forward, every time I vote, I am voting AGAINST ALL incumbents regardless of their position (they always lie about it anyway).

If everyone listening did the same, then in a few years, just maybe, politicians would get the hint (but I doubt it).

Walter
Oakwood, Staten Island

When will Monseratte, Espada And Skelious Run again? ...Vote em out!

DMD in WaHi

I am totally against the Mayor having control of the schools....He is an administrator and has many other things to do.... I agree with the previous woman who said that our children are losing out...the Mayor is out of touch with schools, teachers and administrators and PARENTS...he's gotten a little power hungry..don't you think? I work in a HS and tests are not a measure of how well our children will do in their lives...

Sonia

Why do we continue to employ and pay individuals that refuse to work? In any work environment these people would have been fired long ago. Why do we allow this to continue? Last time I checked our elected officials work for us.

Its time to let them know their jobs are not secure, and they need to get back to work.

Craig

By their recent actions the Senators have shown that they care only about themselves not the constituents who elected them. Since they have abandoned their responsibility they should be removed. The governor should immediately convene a special election and replace every Senator permanently.

Eddie from Brooklyn