WXXI: Senate Chaos May Aid Paterson (2009-06-29)

Governor Paterson has been taking a hard line against the recalcitrant State Senators who have failed to pass any legislation since a June 8th coup. But the governor's tough talk may be just what he needs to regain his standing among New Yorkers.

Governor Paterson has taken a tough but neutral stance on the chaos in the State Senate, where Senators have been grid locked into two 31 member factions ever since a June 8th coup by a Republican- dominated coalition.

Using his constitutional powers to call special sessions, Paterson has ordered the Senators to report to the chamber each day, even over the weekend, and, he's said, through the Fourth of July if necessary. And he's castigated each side equally, showing no preference even for the members of his own Democratic Party, and calling their behavior during the stalemate "laughable", and a farce.

"What I've seen in the Senate...disgusts me," said Paterson, who has called the Senators' behavior a "dereliction of duty".

The governor threatened to stop the Senators' pay checks, and take away their per diem living expenses for each day they spent at the Capitol without acting on legislation, including key bills that expire on June 30th. Those bills include mayoral control of New York City schools and sales tax authorization for numerous counties.

Though it's a contentious time, there may be a silver lining in the clouds for the governor.

Steve Greenberg, with Siena College polling, says the Senate stalemate is giving the governor a chance to act like a leader, and take the side of the public in the dispute. Paterson's popularity in recent Siena polls had sunk to as low as 19%. Greenberg says the grid lock in the Senate may give the governor a chance to turn things around, as long as he continues to focus on "the issues that matter to people".

Greenberg says Paterson's equal criticisms of both parties also likely resonates with the public, who also seem angry with all of the Senators.

The Governor's criticisms have spurred a back lash among Democratic Senators, with many saying unflattering things about Paterson, and questioning whether they'd even support him in a run for election next year.

Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson would only say this when asked about the Governor's standing with the Senators in the Democratic conference.

"Governor Paterson has to do what's appropriate for Governor Paterson," said Sampson. "He has his priorities. We know what our priorities are."

In the long term Paterson will need the Democrats to help him get his agenda passed in the 2010 session, the year that he is up for election.

Even if the leadership dispute is eventually patched up, it's likely to be a very volatile State Senate for the next year and half, and the governor will have his hands full managing his relations with that house. It would take just one Senator to break the current tie, and perhaps shift the balance of power all over again.