Inside Albany for a day

The second of a two-part series
   
The Assembly session ended on March 22 just before 3:30 p.m. with a few votes on non-controversial bills ranging from wine commerce to consumer protections.
   
But the day was far from over. It was crunch time in terms of the state budget. Less than two weeks remained until the deadline – April 1.
   
Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly split up into their respective conferences behind the scenes. Presumably, the Democrats continued to lay out their visions for a state budget. Many of those proposals would likely make it into what is  commonly known as “three men in a room” – when leaders of the two houses meet with the Governor to iron out budget details.
   
As for the Assembly Republicans, it was back to the conference room, members only this time. The GOP pols, who are severely outnumbered by their Democratic counterparts, acknowledge their role in the budget process.
   
All the GOP assembly members can really do, as one politician put it, is "bust their chops." But, as another pointed out, "we are the party of ideas.”
   
As lawmakers went their separate ways behind closed doors, a Herald reporter decided to walk over to the Senate chambers.
   
The only thing that separates the Assembly and Senate wings is a corridor of old-fashioned press offices. Though the New York Post office bustled, as a radio show was live on the air, others appeared empty and barren. Some workers manned the Associated Press desks, while in the main office, photos of famous journalists and politicians adorned the walls next to a table filled with press releases and pamphlets.
   
Security is significant tighter in the Senate wing of the capitol. Signs say “Senate ID only” beyond certain points, mostly entering the offices and chambers. That means no Assembly members either, Democrat or Republican.