I have to be honest, when I heard earlier today that State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli would be freezing senators' pay I thought, "Didn't he do that already." I thought that should've happened a week ago when Governor Paterson mentioned it. Actually, I thought it should've happened three weeks ago when these fools decided to stop working. Regardless, I'm happy DiNapoli is finally taking action. The only problem is, if the State Supreme Court decides it's unconstitutional to withhold the money, lawmakers will get their usual paychecks on Wednesday, and all this is for nothing. These senators deserve to have their pay revoked. They don't seem all too unhappy to me. They were smiling and cracking jokes in "session" today. They need to suffer the consequences of their actions.

The stalemate in Albany is reportedly costing New Yorkers at least 10,000 dollars a day, just in expenses for State Senators. The tally from the Associated Press doesn't include regular salaries and overtime pay for staffers.

Governor Paterson is ordering Senators to attend special sessions through the holiday weekend. But there's no guarantee anything will get accomplished. Some don't plan to attend at all. Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz of the Bronx says he will not be there Sunday. Diaz said, "I will be in my church. And if (Paterson) wants to send the troopers to arrest me in my church, he can do that."

Should Senators attend sessions over the holiday weekend, or are they just a waste of time and tax dollars? What should happen if Senators ignore Governor Paterson's order? How else could the 10,000 dollars a day be used?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

With the exception of Sunday, July 5, 2009, the members of New York State Senate should stay in Albany Friday, 7/3, Saturday, 7/4 and Monday 7/6 until important legislation is discussed and voted on. They should be confined in Albany on Sunday to think about what they doing to the citizens of this state. By forcing to attend on July 4th, they may come to realize that this foolishness has gone on too long, especially Senator Pedro Espada Jr who was reported saying that he planned a big Barbeque at his Westchester home. Those who do not attend the sessions should be arrested by the State Troopers, where they may be, even if they're at a holiday celebration.

They must remember that work before pleasure and since they have not conducted the business for which their constituents elected them to do, they are not entitled to relax and enjoy themselves.

Finally to the senator who insisted that their paychecks and travel reimbursements should be given to them since they would be working at their district offices, answering mail and meeting with their constituents , HECK NO! You and the other senators have not completed your tasks in Albany. Complete the work of the people first.

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

Completely ridiculous! When is it going to stop? Governor Patterson should take the bull by the horn, and fire them all there should be a special election and we should get new people in there.

Jim
UWS

I say, let's start all over from the beginning. Let's demand a "special election" to re-vote all of them in or out. They should be given a choice: Go to work and vote, or Get The Hell Out.

How else can this be decided? If the judiciary refuses to get involved, what other option is left? This gives the world's dictators such a laugh.

I want my money back. All those NYS taxes I paid? I want the last three weeks' worth back, plus interest, please.

Liz from Sunnyside

Last week, I wrote the following: When Bush was in power, I was ashamed to be an American and kept apologizing to anyone I met from another country. Now, I am embarrassed to be a New Yorker, something I NEVER thought was possible.

Now, I firmly believe that if they are showing up just to sign in so that they can be paid, it is a travesty and a sham and they should be drummed out of office! Isn't there some mechanism to withhold pay for irresponsible public officials?

As so many services are being cut, to pay these do-nothings for NOT performing their SWORN duties as elected officials of New York State is beyond imagination.

Phyllis
Park Slope

one word RIKERS!

Tom
Richmondtown

They should use the money to pay lawyers to represent all of us citizens that are being defied constantly day by day. I'm appalled about all of this. What phonies.

maxxiee
mp

They should all be made to attend the sessions and why does Diaz think that being at church trumps the law. He, like all of them are so arrogant.

Rich
Midtown East

Am I the only one celebrating the Chaos in the Senate?

The less time these people meet the fewer taxes, fees, penalties, prohibitions and other violations of individual rights will take place. Isn't that a good thing?

One dynamically good thing is that Bloomberg is no longer in charge of the schools, at least not to the degree prior to the lack of Senate vote.

Neither he nor Joel Klein have any experience in or knowledge of how to run a school system. They have pushed the parents out of the equation, the parents who should have more say about schooling any any government bureaucrat.

Bloomberg has severely damaged NYC. It will take years and years for the City to recover from his fascist rule. I'm hoping he won't get re-elected, but his sycophantic followers hold the upper hand. I'm hoping for some kind of major mistake or scandal. Send him to Argentina and hope something happens.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

How much is $10,000 divided by 62 times infinity?

Why can't the Attorney General or a judge arrest them? The Governor's not a peace officer. He already said he wouldn't send state troopers after them -- this being a democracy.

Of course, that was when Iran was still front page news, leaving me to wonder how much has the State Senate and the Iranian government profited from the death of Michael Jackson?

Arlene
Sheepshead Bay

If the democrats would finally grow up and accept the fact that they were outsmarted and legally beaten, they could get the nipple out of their mouths and get back to work. Their job right now is simple: Sit in the chair, and say YES or NO! How about this: Governor Dave takes control of the podium, he brings forth the bills and has a roll call vote on each. If one does not vote, he or she can consider themselves relieved of duty FOREVER! If one leaves the chamber before session is over, he or she can consider themselves relieved of duty FOREVER! Report to the chamber by 9 A.M. SHARP...or again consider yourself relieved of duty FOREVER!

Lamont
Far Rockaway, NY

As much as I loathed Ronald Reagan and thought his funeral shouldnt have eclipsed Jesus Christ's, the gipper would have fired them all summarily, which is the fate they deserve. Know this espada and your compadre we the voters will remember this at the polls and we will make you not forget. manos san piedre on the lever.

Juanito
Kissena Park

Have them give the money back to the government. Or donate to the same sex marriage bill. but by all means keep them working otherwise NY will become bankrupt like the state of California. The senators do not need a vacation. Get some cots and have them sleep there. That's what California has done. Then impeach all of them!, and let them file for unemployment. They are idiots..They could also donate there thousand dollar suits to a charity. I will tell you something I will never sign a petition for either party.Nor will I vote for any of them.

Do they see your show? If not send DVDs to them. They are like the monkeys with their ears, mouth and nose closed. I think Michael Jackson could do better , even in his death. Stooges all of them Why don't New Yorkers wake up, go to albany and stage their own coup. Iran did it.

Rich/Chlesea

So glad Senator Diaz is standing up to the Albany circus. He is a minister, not a clown. On Sunday, Senator Diaz should go to his church. Let Governor Paterson dare to send the troopers to arrest him. The Governor's polls will go down further, if that's possible, and Senator Diaz will be seen as a great American patriot he is.

Ann
The Bronx

They should attend over the weekend. They forget who their constituents are. Former Gov. Jim McGreevey did that in NJ and had them all summoned to the State House by a NJ State Trooper. Things got done rather quickly then. The same need to apply here in NY. They all should be flogged for their behavior.

Jeanne
Flushing, NY

I believe We The People Should Vote Out All The Incunbemts New York State Senators....Monserante, Scellos and in particular Sen. Espande.

DMD in Wash. Hghts.

Maybe they all should spend the 4th reading the constitution. Democracy in NY politics is a joke. Patronage, patronage, patronage not democracy. And well the Bronx idea of democracy is probably the biggest joke of it all and Pedro Espada and Ruben Diaz are the leading clowns. I'm embrassed to say im from the Bronx when it comes to politics. People are use to voting blindly for parties and no for character and principals. So here we are.

dan

While I understand where the Governor is coming from ,I do not think it is fair that they(senators) do not get paid since my Senator Liz Kruger's office has worked very hard for me for a good two months. I think her office more than deserves their pay. I am a person in her district who has benefited from their help, time and energy with my situation. I am upset to see this happen to a real senator who definately works for her district.

My senator has done so much for many people for a long time. God bless her and I hope that Albany straightens out the mess from the corrupt ones who are punishing the good people and good senators.

Izzi from Chelsea

Make them work as a lesson to the children of New York. This behavior is not acceptable. I feel to pay them while the tax payers suffer for there lack of concern sends the wrong message.

John

They are all stubborn idiots! Both Democrats and Republicans. They should be locked in the Senate indefinitely until they can come up with a viable solution! No Barbecues for people who don't work.

Mike From Harlem

We find it interesting that the transit workers lost pay and were penalized for not working while the Senate can paralyze the state and still get paid. Question; Are they losing pay for days not worked or is it just being withheld until this is resolved??

Christian
West Village

I think that they should work, They have been on vacation for the past three weeks while hardworking New Yorkers like myself have been hard at work generating tax revenues for their now obviously undeserved, exorbitant salaries. This situation is an absolute disgrace, This is America, This is New York, what are they doing? If ever there was the need for a Law.

Jerry, The Bronx

Really? There are churches in albany I'm sure of this. Serious.

Angela
Port Richmond

If I did not do my job for 23 days I would probably be fired.....let alone paid!

Tish from Harlem

Say what you want about those imbeciles in Albany, but the did gain my respect by letting Billionaire Bloomberg know that he can't walk on water. Of course it took only minutes after he lost full control of the schools that our city politicians...no, puppeticians gathered at his feet like Jesus and his discipals and handed it right back to him. New York...I knew thee well.

Norm
Upper Eastside