NY Senate standoff hits breakthrough

Story Created: Jul 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - All sides in a monthlong standoff in New
York's Senate say they've agreed to work out a power-sharing deal
from two proposals.

They say the conflict begun in a parliamentary coup June 8 could be over as early as Thursday.

Governor David Paterson and leaders of the Democratic conference and
a Republican-dominated coalition say they will share top leadership
positions, share resources and staff more equitably, and rotate top
leaders of the Senate.

Exactly how that will be done, however, is the business of the next two days.

Republican leader Dean Skelos and Democrat Pedro Espada, the
coalition's leaders, say Thursday is the deadline for a deal.

Democratic leaders John Sampson and Malcolm Smith, however, say
there is no hard deadline for agreement.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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