Albany, NY – Two Mediators Appointed to Help Settle Senate Gridlock

Albany, NY – Governor David Paterson is appointing two statesmen to mediate the two-week-long power struggle that has gridlocked New York’s Senate.

Paterson also announced that the state’s top judge may preside over a special session of the Senate he will call if senators can’t settle the dispute.

Paterson says former Democratic Lieutenant Gov. Stan Lundine and former Republican state Sen. John Dunne have agreed to act as mediators. Both men are well respected in both parties. Senate leaders would have to accept that help.

The Democratic governor also says Chief Judge Jonathan Lippmann will preside over a tentatively set special session to pass critical bills that have been delayed since a Republican-dominated coalition tried to seize majority power from Democrats June 8.