Governor Paterson has signed Leandra's Law. It's considered one of the toughest drunk driving laws in the country. Our Erin Billups has more.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The governor signed Leandra's Law Wednesday afternoon, now making it a felony for someone to drive under the influence of alcohol with a child in the car.

The Assembly passed the bill Tuesday night and the Senate passed it earlier Wednesday. The law also mandates that anyone convicted of a DWI must have a device installed in their cars to test their blood alcohol level before they can drive.

"And the only thing, we can't change the past, we can't bring Leandra back, but if it's any comfort to you, it's the fact that perhaps the passage of this legislation will provide relief and will assure us that this situation might never happen to a parent such as yourself," Governor Paterson said.

Lawmakers are also expected to vote on authorities reform legislation Wednesday as well. Senator Bill Perkins, the sponsor of the bill, says it will force the state's authorities to open up their financial records to independent review and their accountability will be to the public rather than the officials who appoint the board members. The public authorities have long been thought of as shadow governments that were wrought with scandal and shrouded in secrecy.

While legislation is being passed, the one reason why lawmakers have been brought back up to Albany has not yet been accomplished. Lawmakers say talks are ongoing, but it's unlikely a deal will be reached to close the state's $3.2 billion budget deficit.