Senators Congenial, Say They Want to Work to End Dispute ALBANY, NEW YORK (WXXI) - The warring sides in the fight for control of the State Senate met behind closed doors with Governor David Paterson and came out smiling, saying they now want to work toward resolving the nearly month long stalemate that has paralyzed the Senate, even though it means spending the 4th of July weekend at the Capitol.

Senators Pedro Espada and Malcolm Smith, both of whom claim the title of President Pro Temp of the Senate, say the tone of their meeting with Governor Paterson, in contrast to the bitterness of recent weeks, was civil and professional.

"Negotiations went great," said Espada, who said the Senators did not consider spending the July 4th weekend in Albany "punishment", and actually planned to celebrate Independence Day together.

"We are trying to move the agenda," said Smith, who said staffs would begin meeting to try to work out details of a settlement.

Afterward, Senator Espada said he'd offered a power sharing arrangements in which the President Pro Temp would rotate every six months. He would take the first six months.

The brief special session at 3 pm featured Democrats and Republicans again united on one issue- they wished Senator Owen Johnson, a Long Island Republican, a Happy 80th Birthday. They then adjourned, without acting on legislation.
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