By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
As the State Legislature nears the 30-day mark without a balanced spending plan, Gov. David Paterson got tough on Thursday, with the threat of forcing a showdown between Albany leaders.
"I wouldn't rule out the possibility of calling a special session and forcing the Legislature to stay if I don't see a concerted effort," Paterson said in an interview with WCBS 880AM, later reported by the New York Post.
A special session would force lawmakers to come to terms on a budget, or choose between a total shutdown of government and a forced one-day-a-week furlough plan for state workers. The forced furlough plan would affect an estimated 100,000 state workers.
The Post also reported that later, on the John Gambling radio show, the Governor indicated that he would break his "no lay-offs" promise if labor leaders didn't agree to contract givebacks.
"It could certainly come to that," Paterson said.
