ALBANY — Facing a break in their ranks amid criticism that they were snubbing the governor during a fiscal crisis, state Senate Democrats now plan to attend Gov. Paterson’s budget speech before a joint session of the Legislature Monday.

Yesterday’s announcement followed decisions by Sens. David Valesky and Neil Breslin to attend the speech, the aim of which is to galvanize support for addressing the deficits.

State officials said Thursday that Democratic leaders had decided against attending what one dismissed as a “photo op.”