A divided state Senate spent its first day of session debating the merits of a package of new gun laws that would tighten restrictions on assault weapons, before passing it late Monday night in a 43-18 vote. It was the first bill passed under the body’s new power sharing agreement, though it was unclear to some lawmakers who was actually in charge. “It doesn’t matter,” said Temporary Co-President Jeff Klein, a Democrat who shares control of the Senate with Republican… [More]

Pedro Espada, Jr., coup-instigator and intermittent majority leader, has been notably silent since his defeat at the hands of Gustavo Rivera last September. In his concession speech, he vowed to stay active, but then dropped off the scene for several months. Two special sessions went by without Espada. Many wondered if they would see the flamboyant Bronx (Mamaroneck?) Democrat (Republican?) ever again. In his first interview since primary night, Espada is his old self, unrepentant for the Senate coup that… [More]

Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. failed to report both contributions and expenditures for a committee formed on his behalf last year by Steve Pigeon, his office’s general counsel, according to a side-by-side comparison of a variety of campaign finance disclosures with the State Board of Elections.… [More]