Because the state budget was due on April 1 but hasn't been approved yet, state law prohibits legislators from getting paid. And, guess what, going almost four months without pay is hard! But, don't worry, many lawmakers understand if you don't care: Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), who is dipping into his savings to pay for his mortgage, tells the NY Times, "People are rightfully fed up with the lack of effectiveness in state government. I would quickly forgive them for not having sympathy for our personal plight." more ›

Today's not so shocking poll numbers: Quinnipiac says that 77% of NY State voters say that the NY State government is "dysfunctional" while 58% say it's "the worst" or "among the worst" in the nation. Oddly enough, 2% of respondents say that it's the "best" in the country, while 28% think it's "among the best"—maybe those people are from Illinois or California. Some more stats: "Voters disapprove 72 - 18 percent of the way the State Legislature is handling its job, the legislature's lowest overall score ever. Forty-nine percent of New York State voters say that almost everyone in the State Senate - including their own." Quinnipiac's Maurice Carroll said, "Dysfunctional is practically a synonym for the New York State Legislature and voters want a change. While voters tend to like their own legislators, almost half of New Yorkers are ready to throw out their own state senator in a general house-cleaning." Take heart, challengers. more ›