State Senate Deal Close? ALBANY (wned) - After a closed-door meeting Thursday, both sides in the ongoing dispute in the State Senate say they are closing in on an end to the nearly four-week standoff over control of the chamber.

Neither the democratic conference nor the republican-dominated coalition that mounted the power coup would comment on details. Neither say there is a deal, but they are providing a short-term plan for power sharing and a permanent plan to Governor Paterson. Paterson is planning to mediate on Friday to try to mesh the two proposals.

The democratic conference is pushing for a short-term arrangement to pass some critical bills for New York City and local governments statewide. The coalition seeks a power-sharing deal to run through the end of the senate term in December 2010.

Meanwhile, New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says he is planning to withhold pay for state senators until a court requires him to release the funds or there is a resolution of the leadership struggle that has paralyzed the senate for weeks.

DiNapoli is filing suit in State Supreme Court seeking a decision on whether he has the constitutional authority to hold up the payments. Senators are scheduled to get their next paycheck July 8, or direct deposit the day before.

DiNapoli is urging senators to resolve the deadlock that started with a parliamentary coup June 8. Since then, a republican-dominated faction has argued with the democratic conference about who controls the chamber.

Governor David Paterson continues to call the senate back for special sessions until a deal is reached.

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