Because the two squabbling State Senate factions haven't come to any sort of leadership/power sharing deal, Governor Paterson issued proclamations for the Senators to hold special sessions at 3 p.m. every day through July 6. Which, Capitol Confidential reports, "means that the Senate will be in Albany through the holiday weekend." Nice—you can read the proclamations for July 2, July 3, July 4, July 5 and July 6. more ›

Update: A judge has ruled that the State Senate must meet and have a joint session tomorrow morning, holding up the lawsuit brought on by Governor Paterson. Republicans are already saying they will appeal the decision, so don't hold your breath for things to get under way first thing tomorrow. NY1 also notes that while the ruling by State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi mandates that all 62 senators get together, it "does not say that anything needs to be accomplished in the session." more ›

Governor Paterson is still irritated at the State Senate for holding special sessions for only a few minutes. Here's how the AP described the Senate's dealings: "In brief, separate, back-to-back sessions, Democrats and their Republican-led opponents complied again with Gov. David Paterson's order to convene. But they conducted no state business and only the Democrats decided to hold a moment of silence for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett." Paterson said today, "This morning, the New York State Senate clocked in and clocked right back out. That’s not work. That’s dereliction of duty... We are no longer paying any member items to senators." Oh, snap—he's referring to the $85 million in pork barrel projects Senators get each year! While there have been some reports that Democrats and Republicans are near a deal, Paterson was skeptical, "They’re telling you they’re very close to an agreement. No. They’re very close to the weekend. If they’re close to an agreement, why couldn’t they go into the chamber today and start passing some of the legislation?" more ›