After both Democratic and Republican senators held (separate) rapid-fire sessions — both were under four minutes — and then quit for the day, Governor Paterson just held a press conference. “I have directed the State Treasurer not to pay for the per diems or travel expenses of the senators,” he said (the per diems are around $160 a day and travel expenses are usually $15,000 to $25,000 a year). He added that he expects a legal challenge but says he’s within his right because technically there’s no presiding officer.