After planning to skip Governor Paterson's address to a joint Session of the legislature, calling it nothing more than a photo op, it appears state senate democrats have had a change of heart. But, as our Mike Whittemore reports, getting lawmakers in the room to talk about the budget is only half the battle. Getting them on board with the Governor's cuts, and even to agree on the projected deficit, could be much more difficult.

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Senate Finance Committee Chair Carl Kruger backed up a claim he made last week when he said the Governor's budget projection was exaggerated. He released his own forecast Friday, projecting the current-year deficit at only $2.9 billion. Not the $3.1 billion Paterson claims and not close to the $4 billion State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has warned lawmakers that the deficit could grow to in coming months.

Paterson wouldn't address specifics at the Yankees Ticker Tape parade in New York City, but did take the chance to hammer home his main point that New York is in better shape than many other states. Using an appropriate baseball reference, Paterson tied the deficit into his political future.

"Forty-eight of the 50 states in deficit, 25 of those states have abandoned their early childhood education programs and 21 of them laid off their workers and some of them are having early release programs, letting people out of jail because they can't pay to keep them there. And I think when people see that, I need a couple hits in the late innings and a little rally and maybe it'll be a different ball game," Paterson said.

The Governor will make one final pitch to the legislature when he addresses a joint session on Monday. We learned Friday that senate democratic leadership will now attend, after originally saying they wouldn't show up unless there is a deal on the budget. That announcement came after three rank and file Democrats, including Senator Breslin, said all lawmakers should be there.

"The Governor to this point, hasn't been willing to accept the discussions of counter proposals and if he at least accepts the discussion of counter proposals, he can weigh them and either accept them or reject them," Breslin said on Thursday.

There was also a concern the senate leadership would be in Puerto Rico for a conference and wouldn't be back on time for the address. But Senate spokesman Austin Shafran told me they will be back in time and do plan on being there.