Skelos' spokesman John McArdle said the Assembly Democrats never proposed spending cuts in dozens of staff meetings in recent months. That was confirmed by Assembly majority spokesman Dan Weiller, although he said cuts were proposed in other meetings with Paterson.

"Senator Skelos is not interested in passing bills, he's interested in passing the buck," said Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He was apparently referring to a claim Skelos wanted to make the Senate Democrats who take power in January responsible for painful cuts, goring special interests that could then help Republicans finance a return to the majority in the 2010 elections. Skelos has denied that charge.

Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco of Schenectady supported Skelos. Tedisco said Paterson almost dared leaders on Monday to put the governor's cuts to a floor vote, doubting anyone would while generating public support for Paterson. Skelos was the only leader who agreed to put the cuts to a vote Tuesday.

"Is this a crisis?" Smith shot back at Tedisco.

"Yes," Tedisco said.

"Then grow up," Smith said. "Grow up and act like this is a crisis. Unbelievable."

After the meeting, and after the Legislature gaveled into and out of special session without taking any action, Skelos said the acrimony of the meeting was "absolutely" all show, and he can continue to work with the Democrats. At the end, most of the leaders hugged and posed for a photo.

The special session cost at least $60,000, including $143 per diem checks paid to most lawmakers for each day they are in Albany, plus transportation and catering, including the red meat and fruit-and-cheese platters served to Senate Republicans Monday night.

"The governor now has agreed with my position and the position of my conference and of (Deputy Majority Leader Thomas) Libous -- "Give us your budget, then we can start,'" Skelos said.

"This is a good beginning," said Democratic Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of Westchester. "The Legislature's job is to deliberate."