Senate stalemate could go well past July 4th

By WKTV News

Story Created: Jun 30, 2009 at 8:40 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 30, 2009 at 9:33 AM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - As an appeals court judge weighs whether to intervene in the three-week standoff that has paralyzed New York's Senate, Democrats have again locked themselves into the chambers.

Republican Sen. Thomas Libous, a leader of the group that mounted a June 8 coup against the Democratic conference, says court action could drag the dispute into the July 4 weekend.

That's because his side is likely to use the balance of this week to make their arguments to an appeals court.

Late on Monday, a trial-level judge ordered the split Senate into a full working session Tuesday morning. Libous says the GOP-led coalition believes it has gotten a stay of that order for now.

Gov. David Paterson has said he'll keep senators in Albany until they resolve the power struggle.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On