Democratic Assembly members involved in Wednesday night's sit-in are calling it spontaneous, after frustration built up over the late budget.
"It's a demonstration of sorts really to ask the Governor in a monstrative way to sit down and negotiate. We are ready to sit down and negotiate," said Assemblyman Bob Reilly, (D)- Colonie.
The members say the Governor has not met with them or Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver enough, to move the process forward. But the Governor did show up to meet with those members behind closed doors tonight. When asked if he thought it was a publicity stunt, he answered.
"Even that would contribute to trying to balance a budget right now."
A couple hours later everyone came out. The Governor even joked about those who had called him out just hours before, calling them the "members of the newly formed conference in the Assembly."
All parties said the meeting was a step forward.
"The members know they have to make the tough decisions and they came to assure me that they would make the tough decisions. They just wanted to know I'd be willing to compromise," said Gov. Paterson.
"Our meeting was cordial, productive, we exchanged some ideas," said Assemblyman Jack McEneny, (D)- Albany.
Those thoughts were on school aid cuts, halted construction projects, even the furlough plan. When asked if it could still be weeks until a budget is passed, he answered, "I've been here too long to predict when the budget will be there. But I will take the blame for having organizing this."
