The budget is just about a month late, and lawmakers have left the Capitol without any real progress in reaching a deal. Meanwhile, the governor is saying if the Legislature votes for his proposal, he will take responsibility for the fallout - and he's giving them a tough choice to try to force a decision. Erin Billups has the latest.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- "My intent is to try and get this budget passed and to try and get everyone to understand they need to make sacrifices at this particular time," said Governor David Paterson.

But instead of voting on Governor Paterson's fiscal plan, lawmakers passed resolutions honoring cadets from the West Point Military Academy and went home.

"We didn't have a vote on the governor's proposed budget because that's not the budget," said Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson.

"None of our members have seen the bills," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Paterson warned lawmakers that if they don't pass his plan, they're to have session five days a week rather than three until a budget is passed.

"If the governor requests that we have to stay here, we have to stay here," Sampson said.

Sampson says he's hopeful a three-way deal could be reached next week. Leaders say the governor's added pressure is helpful.

"What's important is he is jumpstarting the conversation," Silver said.

But what lawmakers say is not helpful is Paterson's furlough bill. Union leaders call the plan illegal and threaten to sue. Lawmakers say it's the governor's job to deal with the state workforce, not theirs.

"If he doesn't have the authority of furloughs, the Legislature doesn't have the authority either to give to him," Silver said.

Still, Paterson says he can't force workers to take a day off each week without the legislature and will put the furlough measure into the emergency spending bills lawmakers must pass next week to keep the state running.

"That would be a disastrous course of action, with a very, very bad choice for us to make at that point and time," said Assemblyman Ron Canestrari.

Lawmakers would have to choose between forcing workers to furlough or not passing the extender bills, which would shut down state government.