The Senate deemed the budget extender bill illegal this afternoon, and then promptly passed it anyway, choosing to risk angering the (already very upset) state worker unions over infuriating the rest of New York State but shutting down the government.

The vote broke down along party lines, with not a single Republican voting “yes.” (Sen. Tom Morahan was excused). The Democratic and Republican leadership promptly issued dueling statements.

“We were not going to allow government to be shutdown. We will continue to protect the least, last, and lost by maintaining the critical services they need to survive,” said Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson.

“Though there are substantial legal issues with the Executive’s plan to reduce hours for workers under a collectively bargained contract, we will not jeopardize the health, safety, and livelihood of millions of New Yorkers by stopping government.”

And here’s some choice words from Senate Minority Leader Dean Skleos:

“We are sick and tired of the Democrats’ complete and utter failure to get a budget done, or worse, to even try to get a new budget in place.”

“Forty days after the budget deadline, there are no budget talks, in secret or in public. Senate and Assembly Democrats continue to violate the law by refusing to convene joint, public conference committees that would help get a budget done.”

Here’s Sen. John DeFrancisco chastising the Democrats for having the time to research whether the furloughs were illegal, but not being able to get a budget deal.

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