First Democrats filed into the Senate chamber this afternoon and held a two-minute session before leaving, then Republicans essentially did the same thing a few minutes later. One of the only differences is that Democrats had a moment of silence in memory of pop star Michael Jackson and actress Farrah Fawcett, who died yesterday, and Republicans had a general moment of silence.

   There was talk this morning that the two sides were close to resolving their leadership dispute, which has stalled Senate business since it happened June 8, but neither side indicated that a resolution had been reached. Senate President Pro Tempore Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, who helped Republicans take control of the Senate three weeks ago, and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, met with Democratic leaders before holding session. No agreement was reached, but senators would keep negotiating today and throughout the weekend, they said.

   “I think that there is some progress being made, but we’re prepared to stay the whole weekend, however long it’s necessary to get a deal done,” Skelos said.

   Espada said he and the Senate Republicans would stay here this Saturday and Sunday and every weekend until November “if that’s what it takes.”

   The coalition holds firm that the June 8 vote was legal and must stand, and it will not accept any deal under which Espada is vice president pro tempore of the Senate, Espada said. Democrats dispute the vote and have said they refuse to accept Espada as Senate president.

   “We should never, ever make believe that in a democracy, a vote, a majority vote, doesn’t count. Be very careful that we accept that standard,” Espada said.  

   Espada and another New York City Democrat, Hiram Monserrate, voted with the GOP three weeks ago to take over the Senate. Monserrate has since rejoined the Democratic conference, so the chamber has 31 Republicans and Espada on one side, and there are 31 Democrats on the other side. That has led to the stalemate.