ALBANY – Officially, the leadership standoff in the State Senate continues with no end in sight, and the 2009 legislative session over, as of midnight. 

Unofficially, the Senate Democrats claim they managed to assemble a quorum, when a Republican senator inadvertently wandered into the chamber, while looking for the snack bar.  The Democrats seized the opportunity to vote on some 100 stalled measures.  The bills were ones generally favored by both sides.

Gov. David Paterson said he would not sign any measures cast in such disputed manner.  However, if the governor does not sign, or veto, a measure, it becomes law automatically, in ten days. 

Officially, the impasse continues, with both the Democrats and Republicans claiming 31 members in their respective caucuses.  Democrat Malcolm Smith, of Queens, who was the Majority leader, until a month ago, and Republican Dean Skelos, of Rockville Center, who held the same title when Republicans were the majority, now both claim the top spot. 

Skelos claimed the title when two NYC Democrats said they would join the Republican caucus.  One of them, however, switched his allegiance back to the Democrats, creating the 31-31 standoff.