Big news of the day: Senate Democrats worked out a deal with Pedro Espada, the defector who decided to vote with republicans, taking away their majority in the process and declaring himself, with questionable legality, to be President pro tem of the Senate and first in line in the gubernatorial succession.

But never mind. They took him back and rewarded him for his treachery with the Majority Leadership. This after they spent the last four weeks trashing the traitor. But surely, this time around, having been bought off with a title and power, Espada will remain loyal. What could possibly go wrong?

And people wonder why New Yorkers are cynical about their government.