ALBANY -- Unsatisfied with New York senators' effort to resolve their paralyzing power dispute, Gov. David Paterson is ordering a special session beginning Tuesday that he said could compel senators to stay in Albany every day, including weekends and the July 4 holiday, until they act.
Although a governor can compel legislators into special session and set the agenda of bills to be considered, lawmakers can't be forced to vote on or debate those bills. The Democratic governor also offered senators two well-respected former politicians to act as mediators on Monday, but held out little hope that would avoid the need for a special session.
