NY governor asks senators to resolve differences

New York Gov. David Paterson called on state senators to resolve the power struggle that has roiled the Capitol since Monday, saying it has "humiliated the process, even by Albany standards."

"This is getting a little ridiculous," Paterson said Wednesday as he pledged to work with whoever wins. "They've got to act like adults."

Meanwhile, the Senate Democratic conference, which appeared to lose its majority Monday to a coalition of Republicans and dissident Democrats, said it would seek a temporary court order to stop the takeover.

Paterson spoke two days after Republicans and the rogue Democrats secretly engineered a parliamentary power play, apparently ousting the Senate leader and flipping control of the chamber. Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens joined with the Republican minority to form a bipartisan 32-30 majority.

Shocked, the Senate Democrats responded by leaving the floor, locking the doors to the Senate chamber and refusing to open them. The insurgents reacted by threatening to hold a session in a nearby park if necessary.

"The Senate majority is fully prepared to go back to the people's work but will not enter the chamber to be governed by unlawful rules," said Austin Shafran, spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith.

Paterson added to the pressure on Democratic leaders Wednesday, calling on them to open the chambers and vote on the leadership — even thought it could mean his fellow Democrats would be forced to relinquish power. Shortly after the governor's press conference, Espada announced that he had the keys to the chamber. He refused to say how he got them.

Espada said Wednesday that Monserrate assured him he is still a part of the coalition, and neither is leaving to rejoin the Democratic conference. He said the leadership issue doesn't require another vote and will stand up to any challenge.

"The only issue is how the Senate Democrats' minority will respond today," he said.

He said other Democratic senators will be joining the coalition, but it's up to them to say so.

"I am president pro tem of the new coalition government. Period. End of story," Espada said.

Paterson said he hopes his fellow Democrats prevail in the dispute over leadership. He called for returning attention to the big issues facing the state.

A spokesman for Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos didn't return calls for comment.

On Monday, the coalition voted to approve hastily introduced measures that changed the leadership structure. Neither Espada nor Monserrate changed party affiliation, but their votes helped the measures pass 32-0 after the rest of the Democratic conference left the chamber or refused to vote.

No one knows for sure whether the power grab will hold. Democrats assumed the majority in January for the first time in decades.

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Associated Press Writers Michael Gormley and Michael Virtanen in Albany, N.Y., contributed to this report.