Politics on the Hudson

   Gov. David Paterson is once again telling senators to get to work, but this time he is armed with a court decision that reinforces his demand. A state Supreme Court judge said the separate sessions held by Democrats and Republicans in recent days is a “fiction” and he ordered them to convene jointly at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

   These are some of the comments the governor made in a media briefing this evening:

   “The decision rendered by Judge Teresi confirms what we have believed all along, which is that all the excuses, all the distractions and all the arguments have been just that. That there are no constitutionally based charges that could be sustained arising from the Senate and that each senator who is in violation of the order to come to the special session has violated his or her office that they swore to under the constitution.”

   “I say this to the people of New York: This is your government and you own and control this government. Those of us in elective office work for you. Apparently the Senate has forgotten who sent them to Albany. So I encourage all New Yorkers to use your voices. Pick up the phone, call a senator, tell them to get back to work.”

   Some senators were clear they had family emergencies or health issues that prevented them from attending special sessions, and those are valid excuses, the governor said. “Some I think have been testing my patience to see how long they can continue to disrespect the people of the State of New York. I now have an official court document whereby if there are any further violations, we’ll punish them.”