The State Senate in Albany has started to discuss the state budget proposal negotiated last weekend by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Speaker Sheldon Silver. Rick Karlin of the Times Union reports that signs were put up on the morning of March 30 warning that only senators, staff and lobbyists were allowed into the senate lobby in the state capitol. He adds that they were later removed after questions about allowing lobbyists but not the press were asked by Karlin and other reporters. "The move is apparently being made in preparation for today’s demonstrations by up to 1,000 activists who intend to spend the night," Karlin writes. "The decision to close the lobby to the public stands in contrast to the Senate GOP’s decision to tear down the wall — well, two security desks and velvet ropes — closing off the corridors around the former Democratic Majority’s offices."