ALBANY -- OK, this is a story that can be spun a couple ways.
The State Legislature is considering extending its upcoming spring break for a second full week.
A dereliction of duties, some might scream.
Or, consider option two: a savings to taxpayers of tens of thousands of dollars in travel, lodging and food costs for the 212-member Legislature and many staffers who join them from around the state during session days.
With the budget getting done on time this year, some lawmakers have found themselves with a bit of time on their hands this week after years of doing budget dances well past the April 1 start of the fiscal year.
The Legislature is due to go on a spring break beginning April 14 and is scheduled to return midweek on April 27 for a two-day session. Talks began Tuesday between the two houses about taking off those two days to give lawmakers two full weeks off. No final decisions have yet been reached, lawmakers in both houses said Tuesday and again Wednesday. The Legislature ended this week's session earlier today; most of the sessions in the two houses were to honor visiting West Point cadets.
-- Tom Precious
