ALBANY, N.Y. -- There's something vaguely familiar about dysfunction.

"Today is the same as yesterday. Yesterday is the same as the day before,” said Governor Paterson.

And one special session in the state Senate is like the other, even if they're held by two factions.

Democrats entered first, exiting 3 minutes and 19 seconds later.
Then Republicans and their sole Democratic leader took a spin. They left 2 minutes 38 seconds later. Running time: under 6 minutes. Bills passed: 0.

"It’s an unfunny version of the movie classic groundhog day," said NYPIRG’s Blair Horner.

Including jokes over the disputed succession order.

"I know you are all wishing me very good health," said Paterson. "And I guess I'll interpret that silence as all of you wishing me good health."

Proceedings would have been shorter but for a quick Democratic tribute on the anniversary of the death of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Schneerson, a famed spiritual leader.

"One of the important things that the Rebbe taught was bringing goodness and kindness to all people throughout the world,” said Senator Craig Johnson from Port Jefferson.

While short of kindness, there is more civility in the marbled capital, though talks are jammed by insistence Democrats recognize Pedro Espada as Senate president after the disputed June 8 election.

As that rift slowly heals, though another opens between Democratic senators and their party leader, Paterson. One was quoted referring to the governor's past drug use and infidelity. Another is rooting for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in 2010.

"He wants us to be held hostage here in Albany. He wants us to be using taxpayer money to stay here as we accomplish absolutely nothing," said Brooklyn Democrat Carl Kruger.

If Paterson has his way, the state treasurer will begin docking per diem stipends. Meanwhile the Assembly is rejecting senators' calls that they should return too.