DiNapoli wants to freeze Senate pay

And get back to work.

DiNapoli has initiated the process to withhold every senator's base salary, which is about $80,000.

More Information:

DiNapoli: Cost Of State Senate Inaction to New Yorkers

"We have the responsibility to receive certification of senators' pay and that's done by the Senate president, and that's in dispute," DiNapoli said."

Since the June 8 coup, his staff has also stopped processing the senators' per diem for travel expenses, totaling $560,000.

The ongoing gridlock means hundreds of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue are at stake because the Senate did not re-authorize the law by the June 30 deadline.

"About $750 million, New York City probably close to $1 billion," DiNapoli said.

Of course, holding pay raises legal issues. But DiNapoli says the process is very similar to withholding pay when the Legislature is late on passing a budget.

That's something Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany, is familiar with.

"I think most people will agree with him and grudgingly. Politically, I think it's a smart thing to do," Breslin said.

Breslin said he has the utmost respect for the comptroller and would never be critical of what he's doing.

"I firmly believe we are in this situation because of one person -- Pedro Espada," he said.

Meanwhile, there was another three-minute session at the Capitol Thursday. This was Senate special session number 11.

Both sides said they need public negotiations, but neither side can even agree on an agenda.

"Obviously we can't continue to do the same things we've been doing because they haven't worked. So we have to deviate from standard procedures, talk to other people who don't have the emotional baggage myself and others have in this situation," said Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr.

The senators will be spending the Fourth of July weekend at the Capitol. If the gridlock continues through next week senators from out of town will be paying to stay in Albany out of their own pockets this holiday weekend.