State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli just released the following statement on the status of the paychecks for some 153,000 public employees who appeared likely to get paid late this week due to the Senate’s belated passage of the budget extender bills yesterday.

“The state’s payroll was processed yesterday after the Legislature passed the latest budget extender bill. As a precaution, we are urging state workers to verify that their local bank has transferred their direct deposits into their bank accounts before making their usual expenditures.”

“Checks are being distributed. Any employee who has a question or concern should contact their agency’s payroll office.”

“The budget delay in Albany needs to stop. This piecemeal budget making is causing havoc in too many corners of the state. And it is wrong that state workers are being constantly used as a bargaining chip to simply get another extender bill passed.”

“It would be outrageous if we have the same problem next week. Now is the time to adopt a complete budget.”

Of course, if Gov. David Paterson sticks to his guns, the next round of extenders will be an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink affair in which he inserts the remainder of his 2010-2011 executive budget proposal and forces lawmakers to choose between passing it and shutting down the government.

During last week’s leaders meeting, Paterson set a June 28 deadline for the final budget agreement.

So far, it appears Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s prediction that there will be a deal by today might not come true.

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