Guv vows to keep lawmakers in Albany despite conventions

ALBANY - After listening to legislative leaders bicker publicly over the late state budget, Gov. David A. Paterson Tuesday vowed to keep lawmakers in the Capitol during the political conventions scheduled for the next two weeks.

Democrats are set to nominate candidates for six statewide offices, including governor and U.S. Senate, from May 25-27 in Rye. Republicans will do the same from June 1-3 in Manhattan.

The legislature recessed Tuesday for a religious holiday. It's scheduled to reconvene Monday for three days.

With the budget more than a month past due, Paterson said it would be "irresponsible for us to be thinking about politics." He will order special sessions for Thursday and Friday next week, and Friday, June 4; the legislature is only scheduled to meet three days each week.

"You conventioneers . . . might want to think about spending the time in Albany as opposed to anyplace else," he added.

A spokesman for the Senate's Democratic majority said it planned to be in the Capitol all next week "to work on the budget."

However, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) said it was pointless to hold special sessions without a budget agreement within reach.

Paterson's move is problematic for two of the five Democratic candidates for attorney general: Sen. Eric Schneiderman of Manhattan and Assemb. Richard Brodsky of Westchester. Brodsky said he felt he could work in the Capitol and also participate in the nominating convention. "I think it's possible to do both well."

A Schneiderman aide said, "There's no doubt Senator Schneiderman will put the people he represents first and make his work in the Senate a top priority."

Separately Tuesday, Paterson sided with the Senate's GOP minority, which has been clamoring for budget conference committees to be called. The committees allow rank-and-file lawmakers to participate in the largely secret budget talks.

At one point during Tuesday's public leaders meeting, Paterson demonstrated his frustration by putting his head in his hands. "Oh, Scotty, beam me up," he said, referring to TV's "Star Trek" program and his desire to be elsewhere.