State leaders are closer, but still far from the magic number that will close the state's budget gap. The Governor and legislative leaders met once again Thursday to try and reach an agreement on the deficit reduction plan. As our Erin Billups reports, lawmakers are headed home for the weekend and will try to tackle the budget gap again Monday.

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Senate republicans are criticizing democrats' decision to leave Albany before reaching a deal on the state deficit reduction plan.

"Rather than continuing to reach an agreement, the democrats have gone home," Skelos said.

Democrats, though, point the finger at republicans, arguing they're the ones holding up talks by refusing to agree to cuts to healthcare and education.

"As of last night, after we spent all day yesterday going over the details of our proposal, they told us they could not accept our proposal," said Senator Liz Krueger.

After a leaders meeting Thursday, they say they agree on about $2.6 billion of the $3.2 billion needed to close the state's budget gap. But it's clear. The Governor's proposed cuts to education aid are still a major stumbling block.

"I think we'll get the Governor to come around to our point of view. As long as we get to where the governor needs to get and make sure that we don't have any problems with any cash flow in December," said Senator John Sampson.

"With 55 percent of the spending in or budget coming from health care and education we have to have representatives cut in those two areas," said Governor Paterson.

Krueger says keeping rank and file lawmakers in Albany while the leaders worked out the kinks didn't make sense.

"We weren't ready to do a bill today and that we would be ready on Monday," said Krueger.

Democrats also claim republicans had no intention of actually voting on a deficit reduction plan, saying they want to be able to blame Democrats for the cuts during the 2010 campaign season, all in an effort to win back the majority.

"I've seen in session this week just a bitterness and inability to deal with the crisis at hand and I expect that we will not be able to include them in positive discussions," said Senator Neil Breslin.

The legislature will be back in Albany Monday afternoon. Lawmakers say a deal will likely be reached by then, printed and ready to vote on.