ALBANY -- A judge is giving warring New York Senate factions until Monday to persuade him why they shouldn't be forced into a real session with all 62 senators.

Gov. David Paterson is forcing the issue. He says the factions are violating the constitution by failing to respond to his call for an extraordinary sesson of the Senate. Instead of meeting with all senators present, the factions are meeting separately as they refuse to agree on which side controls the Senate.

The chamber is split 31-31 between the Democratic conference and a coaliton of Republicans and one dissident Democrat.

The power dispute has stalled government for three weeks.

The state Supreme Court justice in Albany is expected to rule on the case Monday.

Earlier, we reported: The factions fighting for control of New York's Senate aren't even on the same page when it comes to marking celebrity deaths.

In brief, separate, back-to-back sessions, Democrats and their Republican-led opponents complied again with Gov. David Paterson's order to convene.

But they conducted no state business and only the Democrats decided to hold a moment of silence for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

Meanwhile, a state judge has adjourned to Monday a lawsuit filed by the group of Republicans and one dissident Democrat who claim they took majority control of the chamber on June 8. They want the court to order full access to Senate services still controlled by an official appointed by Democrats.

Negotiations over sharing power are continuing Friday.