Politics on the Hudson

Gov. David Paterson was meeting with legislative leaders today in hopes of resolving the leadership dispute in the Senate. But the sides left the meetings without agreement.

Paterson met separately with Senate Democratic leaders and the new majority made up of Republicans and Democratic Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx.

Republicans and Espada contended that they legally were elected to the majority in the June 8 coup and will not relinquish power. They said they told Paterson that new rules they approved will create power sharing between the minority and the majority parties.

“We’re going to show him how the rules changes bring true power sharing and equality of resources for all members,” said Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County.

After meeting with Paterson, Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson said there no talk with the Democratic governor about Democrats making any concessions.

“It was just about ideas, about trying to get this thing done,” he said, although he and Smith would not elaborate.

But when Sampson was told Republicans would only talk to Democrats if they recognized Espada and Skelos as temporary president and majority leader, Sampson responded, “Based upon those conditions, I guess there won’t be a discussion.”

Sampson said he “didn’t see any end in sight” to the stalemate.

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