New York, NY —

Governor Paterson says he won't step into the state Senate leadership dispute. But with crucial legislation languishing since last week's Republican coup, Paterson is pleading with senators to reconvene and get to work.

PATERSON: As a leader in this state, I'm crying out for the other leaders to hear me. I want them to come in the chamber and resolve their differences in my opinion the way the judge would expect them to do.

Earlier, a judge declined to rule on Democrats' case that last week's takeover was illegal, saying the courts should not get involved. Republicans and Pedro Espada, the dissident Democrat they elected Senate president, claimed victory. But with the Senate now split 31-31, they can't govern unless they can recruit one more Democrat.

Democrats say they won't appeal the judge's decision, but both sides rejected Governor Paterson's offer to mediate. Paterson says several bills, including one that extends mayoral control of city schools, will expire by month's end if there's no vote.