State Lawmakers Return To Albany For Another "Extraordinary Session"

By: Erin Billups

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Lawmakers gaveled in and out of another "extraordinary session" in Albany Thursday, without moving the four-months late budget forward.

The State Senate spent about 15 minutes in session last night, but did not cast a single vote.

Several lawmakers were conspicuously absent, such as Senate Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith, who is away on vacation.

Governor David Paterson called the extraordinary session – hoping to bring the final element of his budget plan to a vote. Among the issues on the table is a contingency plan to protect the state if it does not receive federal Medicaid funds and a plan letting State University of New York and City University of New York schools set their own tuition rates.

There are at least three Democratic senators who refuse to vote on a budget until an agreement is reached to overhaul the institutions.

Those against the plan say that giving schools the ability to set their own tuition could end up hurting middle and low-income students.

"While I agree with those legislators who have colleges and campuses in their district and they want them to be glorified, I’m very happy for them, but that’s not the objective of public education for the State of New York," said Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson of Mount Vernon.

Members of the black and Latino caucus also met with the governor and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher to work through some of their issues with the plan.

Supporters of the so-called CUNY and SUNY Empowerment Plan will also give the schools more autonomy over fundraising and spending money.

"I won’t say that people’s minds have been changed but I do say that the information will empower us to make the proper decisions," said Assemblyman Michael Benjamin of the Bronx.

"This is probably the most comprehensive package of legislation since Rockefeller created SUNY. I’m confident we can find a way to meet together, to negotiate to compromise," Zimpher said.

At one point during a meeting over the issue Thursday, Brooklyn State Senator Kevin Parker stormed out, saying that lawmakers were being berated and blamed for all the problems the schools face.

Meanwhile, the governor’s communications director says the latest proposal still lacks details.

Senate Republicans say they have yet to see a bill on either plan.

The state budget is more than four months late.