Senate debacle yields hiring freeze on police, firefighter jobs: Bloomberg

The Senate stalemate will keep 250 new cops off the street,Mayor Bloombergsaid Monday. Bloomberg froze hiring to save the $60 million a month lost becauseAlbanywon't pass a half-point city sales tax hike. "I don't want us to panic," Bloomberg said. "I don't think anybody expected this to go on. And yet it does." Also on hold because of the freeze are 90 emergency medical technicians, 150 firefighters, 175school safety agents and 150crossing guards. The cops were set to be sworn in tomorrow. "The state Senate's inability tofunction may literally result inblood on the streets," said CityCouncilmanPeter Vallone (D-Queens), chairman of the Public Safety Committee. The Senate has been deadlocked, 31 to 31, since a June 8 Republican coup. There is no lieutenant governor to break the tie. Senate Democratic leaders met withGov. Patersonyesterday to complain that Republican senators and turncoat Democrat Sen.Pedro EspadaJr. of theBronxare defying his request to quickly pass critical legislation. Republicans countered that the Dems were just upset that Paterson told the Daily News they may have to accept Espada in a major leadership position. Espada lunched yesterday with three other Democrats whobalked at their party's leadership last fall -Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens),Ruben Diaz Sr.(D-Bronx) andCarl Kruger (D-Brooklyn). Earlier,Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens)said Paterson could end the stalemate by appointing a new lieutenant governor under an obscure legal code. Republicans and stateAttorney General Andrew Cuomosaid the move would be unconstitutional.klovett@nydailynews.com