Your New Senate Majority Leader, Pedro Espada Jr.

Photograph of Espada hugging it out from former majority leader Malcolm Smith by Hans Pennink/AP

Forget it, New York. It's just Albany. That's what we're thinking as the five week State Senate stalemate circus has ended with the State Senator who represents the Bronx but may actually live in Westchester and who is under investigation for a number of questionable dealings is now our new Senate majority leader. That's right, Espada, who left the Democrats to gain power by aligning with the Republicans, decided to rejoin the Democratic fold, after being assured of a powerful position—PolitickerNY calls him a triple-crosser while the Post sums things up as "SLEAZY DOES IT IN COUP PART 2." The Daily News' Juan Gonzalez's column headline: "Albany back-stabber Pedro Espada comes out ahead in senate stalemate that shut down state."

Espada said in a press conference yesterday, "It was never about power, but about empowerment." One Bronx resident told the Post, "He changes sides as much as he changes underwear. These guys have no backbone." Oh, the Post also notes, "Senate majority leaders get an additional $41,000 on top of their 'base' $79,500-a-year salary, as well as the right to hire dozens of patronage employees." Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), who will be head of the Democratic caucus, also said in the presser, "To all 19.5 million people in the state of New York, we apologize. ometimes you have a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional family members, but at the end of the day, we understand that we are all one family and we are all home now. Home to stay." Barf. As for Senator Malcolm Smith, he'll be president pro tempore until December.

With the stalemate over, the Senate starting passing bills, including hiking sales tax in NYC by 0.5%. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to regain control of the school system.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 10, 2009 11:43 AM

Comments [rss]

seven

Espada is a disgrace

seven

Pedro shouldn't even be a senator!

seven

Espada is a disgrace

NannyState

From Street Boss to Capo. Shouldn't he get a cake or something?

inoyourider

Espada is King of All Scumbags.

What a complete waste of flesh and blood.

Perfect example of why abortion is sometimes the best answer.

Let's vote all of these pieces of shit out!!!!

Don't forget these names when its time to vote.

theboneranger

i thought that was gonna be a poem or haiku or someshit.

now what am i supposed to do with this boner?

Love,

Boner

inoyourider

lemon party?

eyekantspel

What I don't understand is that Democrats were fine with Pedro Espada until recently. It wasn't until he helped the Republicans in the coup that most people started caring about where he lives or his character. He's still a Democrat. If it wasn't for problems in the Democratic party, none of this would have happened.

Chas

Majority Leader or not, the Manhattan Young Democrats are wholeheartedly selling "Don't For Pedro" t-shirts (ala Napoleon Dynamity) gomyd.com

dr zippy

Well, that's very brave of the Manhattan Young Democrats. Instead of selling "clever" t-shirts, wouldn't it be better for those young, connected Democrats to talk to their Bronx counterparts and get someone to run against Espada in the primary next year? I mean, they can sell all the shirts they want but unless there's an alternative, or Espada gets indicted and convicted, he's going to be re-elected next fall.

Chas

"Don't Vote For Pedro" The Manhattan Young Democrats can also construct complete sentences.

Chas

The Manhattan Young Democrats can also spell "Dynamite"

famdoc

Watch for Palin-Espada in 2012.

theboneranger

Failin-Sword 2012

Jen Chung

HA!

FJF

He'll just use his new post to get pork for his district and ensure they continue to vote for him for years to come. Ladies and Gentlemen, the new Sheldon Silver.

kswissreject

Seriously, Cuomo! You've got my vote for governor if you can get rid of this piece of shit Peter Sword. I don't understand how he gets re-elected in the first place and which is worse, him, or his constituents!!!