Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders staged a stalemate over the Special Session to cut state spending.

Paterson proposed 5 billion dollars in cuts over 2 years, the bulk coming from education and health care.

Republicans accused Paterson of trying to strong arm his plan through by calling for a yes or no vote Tuesday.

"You're talking to 2 people who gave you some ideas here. The only reason he started talking about some ideas to make a difference is because the two republicans at this table stood up and started talking about things, " said Assembly Minority Leader James Tedesco.

Pointing to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Tedesco went on to say
"The one person who is silent here that hasn't given you one idea is sitting next to me."

"These important decisions about New York's future can not be made in a vacuum. They should be made in the context of an overall budget so that everyone affected by the budget can plan for the future," said State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

Democrats threw back, saying the Governor's plan is just place to start addressing a financial crisis.

Speaking to Skelos, Paterson said "You don't have anything on paper to show. You have nothing. And you're going to come in here and Mr Leader, with all due respect, I'm still waiting for your solution to the problem."

Silver added "Senator Skelos is not interested in passing bills, he's interested in passing the buck."

In the end, there were hugs, handshakes, but no special session.

Governor Paterson said what occur ed during the meeting were people in government trying to clear up misunderstandings.

He's agreed to give his 2009-2010 budget proposal by December 16th and start again from there.

Governor Paterson suggested the earliest lawmakers could return to act on closing this years budget gap is January.

Action News reporter Gabe Osterhout is in Albany, and talked to your state lawmakers.

State lawmakers say the meeting between the governor and the heads of both chambers was a productive one.

They think this meeting will pave the way to bipartisanship to help New York get back on it's feet financially.

Many state leaders are heading home, but not without a sense of accomplishment.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo applauds the Governor's agreement to get next year's budget done in mid-December.

She says that'll help in the long run.

"Everyone is finally prepared to work together and what the governor is saying is what we're going to do is to try to address our budget crisis in next year's budget."says Lupardo.

State Senator Tom Libous also applauds the decision to delay cuts.

He was against the Governor's proposal for the special session.

"We know we have to reduce spending but to take money away from school districts and to take money from hospitals after we gave it to them last April is not a fair approach."says Libous.

The Governor said he would work with lawmakers to prevent any mid-year cuts in school aid.

Others think today's session was a waste of time.

Assemblyman Clifford Crouch says the leaders should have done more negotiating ahead of time.

"There are other things we could have talked about and brought to the table for discussion but the opportunity is we're here in Albany ready and waiting for something to be voted on but nothings in print nothings even agreed on."says Crouch.

So all that happened today in Albany was that lawmakers met for the special session, paused for the leadership meeting, then adjourned.

But, they are confident they can get this deficit resolved when they return next year.