One year after he threw the State Senate into gridlock by joining Republicans in a coup, Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Junior is threatening to vote against future emergency spending bills – even if it shuts down state government.

Espada, along with Senator Ruben Diaz Senior and Republican leader Dean Skelos, said they will be willing to block Governor David Paterson's weekly extender bills if the governor continues to include permanent spending cuts in them.

An emergency bill passed on Monday included more than $700 million in health care cuts.

The senators say they want to force an agreement between the governor and legislative leaders on a budget –which is now nine-weeks overdue.

A government shutdown would affect state agencies including parks and the Department of Motor Vehicles, and would halt aid to schools and hospitals.