Politics on the Hudson

   Senate Democrats were unsuccessful in getting any members of the Senate GOP conference to join their ranks and hold a second session this afternoon to pass legislation. The legislation would have allowed local governments to do things like sell delinquent tax liens, convey property and repay money to taxpayers due to overpaid assessments.

   The 3 p.m. Senate special session ordered by Gov. David Paterson was quick, as usual, and no business was taken up because the chamber is split 31-31. Neither side recognizes the other one’s leaders, so the leadership impasse that began June 8 continues.

   “We can no longer be held hostage,” Senate Democratic leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn, said after the Republican conference left the chamber and Democrats convened another session. “We need to pass this legislation and prevent fiscal hysteria from going on from Buffalo to Brooklyn.”

   Democrats lost a few of their own members during their regular session. Sens. Ruben Diaz of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens walked out of the chamber after the first session.

   The 30 Republicans and two of the 32 Democrats in the Senate formed a coalition to take control of the chamber away from the Democrats. The vote took place June 8. Since then, one of the two dissident Democrats rejoined the Democratic conference, leading to a 31-31 split. The two sides have been unable to forge an operating agreement.