By Jake Palmateer
Otsego County's representative in the state Senate said the nearly monthlong legislative deadlock in Albany could come to an end this week.
A power-sharing agreement may be reached in a matter of days, Sen. James L. Seward, R-Milford, said Sunday.
"I think you'll see power shifting from legislative leaders to individual legislators on both sides of the aisle," Seward said. "I'm optimistic we are moving toward a power-sharing agreement that in the long-term will be beneficial for the state."
Seward did not release any details of the potential deal that would end the 31-31 stalemate.
"Many of the details are still being worked out and negotiated," Seward said.
Seward was among the 30 Republican senators who were joined by two Democrats on June 8 to topple the leadership of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Democrats took control of the Senate with a 32-30 majority after the 2008 elections, ending seven decades of nearly uninterrupted dominance by the GOP.
But the Senate has been deadlocked 31-31 after one of the defectors, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, reversed his allegiance back to the Democratic caucus June 15.
Gov. David Paterson ordered the Senate to convene daily; however most of the sessions are over within minutes with no business conducted. Sessions were held on Independence Day and Sunday.
Seward said one of the reasons for the Republican takeover June 8 is concern that the interests of upstate New York were not being looked after by the Democratic leadership in the Assembly, the governor's office and the Senate.
"Our upstate voice has been muted, and this is going to change once this is over," Seward said. "This is much bigger than power and who's going to run the Senate."
Last Thursday, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said his office has "initiated the process to hold senators' pay" unless the deadlock is broken.
"As the state's fiscal officer, I have a responsibility to taxpayers to safeguard their interests. These are difficult fiscal times. The state needs leadership and action," DiNapoli said in a media release.
His office is already withholding the senators' travel and expense vouchers, which have so far totaled $560,000.
"I have also filed suit in (state) Supreme Court seeking declaratory judgment to clarify the Constitutional and statutory obligations surrounding this matter," said DiNapoli, a former Democratic Assemblyman who was appointed as comptroller in 2007.
Seward said the move to freeze senators' pay could set a precedent that could be used for political motives in the future, and likely wouldn't stand up under judicial review.
"I think withholding legislative and pay and expenses is of questionable legality," Seward said. "But having said that, I have been as frustrated as the general public. If this threat helps to move the process, I'm all for it."
Seward said that though no bills are being passed, he is reporting to work every day.
"We continue to respond to phone calls, e-mails and letters and perform constituent work," he said.
There was no answer Sunday at the Albany office of Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, who represents Delaware County. A message left at his district office in Delhi was not immediately returned Sunday night.
