The Senate deadlock may be over.
Rogue Democrat Pedro Espada Jr., who collaborated with Republicans in a June 8 coup that toppled Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, is returning to the fold, sources said.
That will give Democrats a 32-30 majority and, ostensibly, allow the Senate to convene and vote on crucial legislation, like mayoral control of city schools and a city sales tax hike.
Under the deal, Malcolm Smith will be the Senate president, several senators said.
Espada (D-Bronx) and Democratic conference leader John Sampson will serve as co-majority leaders, they said.
Jesus wow.
UPDATE: Espada is scum, the Senate leaders suck, this has been a huge mess & massive waste of money… but the one silver lining here is that Tom Golisano can seriously, seriously suck it.
This guy is a grade A opportunist, even more than Arlen Specter. He obviously saw once the gravy train with the Republicans ran out, he switches back. This guy even tricked senior citizens under the guise of getting free vegetables to sign petitions to get his name on the ballot. Democrats like him tarnish our party’s name.
Is a rather powerless position? ‘Cause it’d be awfully ironic if Espada’s little tantrum ended up doing nothing about Smith’s power.
to vote against your own party for leadership of your political body is treason. i’m fine with giving him a title if it gets the dems back incontrol of the state senate and gets the senate working again.
but i hope the local demcorats hate him as much as i do and they demolish him in a primary. are there any good candidates?
Does Paterson still push for appointing a new LG? Or does this make the whole thing moot?
Also, I can only expect that the “co-majority leaders” arrangement will end in chaos.
Are there any likely retirements on the Republican side for the next election? In other words, is there a chance for a real Democratic majority on this map, or do the Dems have to humor Espada through redistricting?
I couldnt stop laughing when they showed the live shots of the senate floor and they were arguing and Contessa Brewer said, “Yes these are actually adults.”
It’s as if this whole thing is a dream and didn’t really happen. What the fuck did these idiots waste all this time for? I just don’t understand this. I’ll read more on The Albany Project later.
these clowns should be easy to primary out. I hope the deal didn’t involve monetary support in their re-elections.
Is he the one under investigation because his health care company defrauded the state or is he the one who beat up his girlfriend?
Either way, he deserves to be primaried, found guilty of whatever charge, and given lifetime membership in the Worst Persons in the World.