Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I – Merrick) today expressed frustration with legislative leaders who abruptly left Albany without explanation. The move was a result of a lack of progress on the governor’s deficit reduction plan (DRP). The Assembly Minority Conference stayed to the end of session, when it was gaveled out until Monday, ready to get to work debating and voting on the deficit reduction package they have been proposing since August.

“It is disappointing that for the second week in a row, the governor has called the legislature back into session without having a clear plan for passing a DRP,” said Assemblyman McDonough. “The complete waste of time and money is just another example of the dysfunction in Albany which is led by Governor Paterson. My Assembly minority colleagues and I have been prepared to work on a DRP for months, yet the majority is unwilling to negotiate in good faith regarding our alternatives to education and health care cuts.”

The Assembly is at recess until Monday, November 23, or until Speaker Silver calls session.