In the past, we've received phone calls and e-mails during the show from lawmakers who were home watching. It's happened quite a few times in fact. I really hope some State Senators were watching tonight and paying particular attention to the Snap Poll results. 90% of our viewers think they shouldn't get paid during the stalemate. One even suggested they get fined for every day they're not working for us. I second that!

State Senators reached an agreement before breaking for a three-day weekend: they'll continue to spend your tax dollars on their salaries. Lawmakers authorized paychecks for themselves and their staff, even though no bills have been discussed or voted on in 12 days.

Meantime, Governor Paterson said today he's ordering a special session for Wednesday. Senators would be required to attend, but not to vote. And Reverend Al Sharpton is hosting a meeting with Democratic leaders this weekend to discuss the impasse.

Should lawmakers continue to get paid during the stalemate in the Senate? What should Paterson tell Senators when he addresses them next week? Can Reverend Al straighten out this mess?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

With all due respect to our hard-working Senators............... when they're NOT working or working hard....................... THEY SHOULDN'T BE PAID!

Since they feel they can afford to be immature and fight like children, then they can afford to have their paychecks withheld until they decide they want to be civilized and work again. Peoples lives depend on them getting their work done. Activists like me NEVER get paid, so I'm sure they can wait for their checks.

Respectfully,
Victoria
Queensbridge Activist

I am glad Governor Patterson called the New York State Senate in session past their summer break. It is appalling that they would stop to collect their paychecks before returning home for the weekend. That's Chutzpah.

I hope that I do not run into Senator? Espada in my travels over the weekend since his senate district borders mine. He doesn't realize that he's the problem. If he steps down and allow the entire chamber to elect their leader, President of the Senate, maybe the rest of the democratic senators would get back to work. His refusal to step down just shows that he's power hungry and only thinking of himself not the reform he keeps spewing from his month.

Henry
Parkchester

The NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli should take the State Senate to court to block the payment of State Senate salaries. If the Court rules in favor of the people of the state of New York, then perhaps, the State Senate would find a way to break this impasse. I recommend the State Comptroller and not the governor because the State Comptroller is the chief fiscal officer for the State and the office has audit responsibilities and can easily take on the role of the "bad cop." If Governor Paterson were to take the State Senate to court and win, then he would probably have an extremely difficult time working with both sides through 2010. Further, even if Governor Paterson were to do this and win, he may gain points with political observers, but I don't think he would gain any extra points with the voters.

Ruth
East New York
Brooklyn

first of all getting paid and not working RIDICULOUS Al Sharpton he will make this a bigger mess------- one word he still has never apologized for the Tawana Brawley incident

Paterson what is he thinking? make them attend but no voting The Whole group needs to go remember this in November and vote the whole lot of those bums out

Jim
UWS

Well since the coup, the dems haven't attended a single session the republicans held. If there's anyone who should not get paid, it's the democrats. This makes me want to turn republican. At least they tried to handle business, where as the democrats refused to do their job. If anyone else refused to do their job, they'd get fired. Remember this on election day.

Lamont
Far Rockaway, NY

REVEREND AL IS HOSTING A MEETING WITH DEMOCRATIC LEADERS THIS WEEKEND TO DISCUSS THE IMPASSE? JUST BUG THE MEETING PLACE, AND EFFECT ARRESTS LATER IN THE WEEK. WIN - WIN.

JOE, BAY TERRACE.

Hi John,

So everyone including the city council are all on the gravy train except us tax payers and again I say we are looked down on as though we were nothing. Hey, just keep paying taxes and accept all the increases that they allow all of the companies to give us and remember we have nothing to say. This is going to be a long agonizing ride of dictatorships from everyone in charge and I might add that we all put in office and I always feel that they all have the look of the cat that ate the canary and another stupid grin on their faces as though they are sitting on a dam feather.

SHAME ON ALL OF THEM STARTING WITH THE GOVERNOR DOWN TO THIS GOD AWFUL MAYOR. BOY IS HE SURE OF HIMSELF.

maxxiee
mp

They paid themselves????????????????????????

Sue
Chelsea

John-

How is this kafkaesque dog and pony show where a residency challenged reverend (even though hes improved like a fine wine over the years) is going to assist a governor who although a gentleman is completely incompetent try to corral two soon-to-be convict state senators (one a former cop cut his sweetie) who have sabataged our legislature with an amoral republican not worse than bonfire of the vanities meets Chicago, Bloegovich, Sadam and Kim Il Soon rolled into one. This is the empire state?

John
Kissena Park

NO work do pay. They all should be throw out of office, one way of teaching them a lesson, is to bar any outside employment

tom
richmomdtown

I would like to know WHY this group, who are paid by our dollars, think they SHOULD be paid when not doing their job. If I don't do what I am being paid for, my employer would dock my pay or simply let me go. Where else can anyone refuse to do their job and expect to be paid. The arrogance!!! They should all be replaced. Hopefully by a group who can put the people's needs before their own.

ARE THERE ANY SUCH PEOPLE LEFT IN POLITICS??

Cheryl
Mill Basin Brooklyn

Can we spell A-P-P-A-L-L-I-N-G R-I-P O-F-F?

Liz from Sunnyside

P.S. If the good Lord didn't move them yet, I doubt Rev. Sharpton can. Have a great weekend!

Get rid of Espada...

Rich
Midtown East

The inmates have taken over the asylum!

Ellen

These senetors disgust me. They are quick to use their personal religious views to not vote on gay marriage. Us gay people live in peace. protect our communities and pay lots of taxes like everyone else. it is disgusting that obama has not commented on this circus act. espada is a traitor and will never be trusted again.

Carmen

As a proud Bronxite/Puerto Rican i'm so sorry for that espada is representing us. Sorry NY weren't all like him.

Jmor

They should be fired and Patterson should get on his job

Carlos

those who are choosing not to take care of the daily business should not be paid. There are senators that are sitting in each day attempting to take care of the states business should get paid. Many are sour over the coup and the naming of espada, get over it - it happened did you really think that when bruno, smith and quite a few others who were named left sour taste in mouths well it did and the business was handled. In conclusion why was smith holding 2 positions - something that makes you go hmmmmmmmmmmm.. Yet these are the officials we elected during a democratic process, i think we need serious change from council up to congress. They don't listen to the people they listen to their contributors $$$$$

vicki
nyc ny

John,

I constantly here I am overpaid and don't do nothing. I've been a conductor for 21 years and I earn nowhere near what these jokers who call themselves politicians make. I wish I can vote myself my own wage increases and work for half the year and get what they get. See you at the poles next time around.

Joe
Parkchester

sharpton as a mediator for our state senators during this crisis? truly the fox watching the hen house, we're in sure in for it. new york's state gov't has now lurched from second worst in the nation behind california, the government in Iran seems like a breath of fresh air by comparison. they at least pretended to hold an election

Jon, Brooklyn

I say no. I believe in the political process when the process is working. This is utter nonsense. At my job, if I don't work. I will not be paid. The same rule should apply in Albany.

Respectfully,
Corey from Kensington, Brooklyn

Our state senators are still playing circus games at the expense of us taxpayers. What beats all is that we're paying their salary for doing nothing. If you and I decided not to work and expect to get payed , we have our butts kicked and fired on the spot.Now to the state senate let me say: " no work, no pay."

Frederick
Glen Oaks Village, N.Y

This is a real disgrace - How do they get together to get themselves a pay raise. We need to get rid of all of them. We need term limits. We need reps that will make this state better. Right now they only think about themselves and how they can make it better for only them. Fire all of them.

Rich
Staten Is.

The Governor can force a meeting but can't force them to vote: Can he order them to give us back the money they're paying themselves?

I'd really like Andrew Cuomo to tell us where we stand legally. Do the people of New York State have any legal recourse? How do we unseat this Senate?

Arlene
Sheepshead Bay

Let's be fair to our legislators. Yes, they have accomplished zero in the past two weeks. And yes, clearly, they lack both the individual and the cumulative moral fiber to stand up and put an end to this present freak show. But how is that different from when they are "working"? If we justified paying them to do nothing before, how can we not pay them now?
Then, of course, we should fire every last one of them, arrest 'em all for fraud and ship 'em to Afganistan.

Gary M.
Staten Island

Wonderful! Left leaderless the Democratic leaders consult with the leading Roadblock to meaningful progress-Al Sharpton. If that's the best they can do they should all be fired - not paid! As for Gov. Paterson he should contract with the Gotti clan to impress upon our freeloading senators the wisdom of returning to work.

That's All folks!
Eddie from Brooklyn:

The Senate is deadlocked while fighting to see who is really in
control. But they managed to take the time out to vote themselves to continue being paid while being deadlocked. This is an outrage ! Take away their pay for each and every day not worked and we will see how many more days the Senate will be deadlocked. Hit the Senate dead in the pocket book.

Shona M.