Via CapCon, a statement from Speaker Silver on the Senate coup:

In November, New Yorkers elected a Democratic Senate with the hope that they would join us in the Assembly in finally moving forward with a long-stalled progressive agenda for New York.

Together with Democratic leaders around the state, I am working to ensure that Democrats retain control of the New York State Senate so that we can continue to move forward with that agenda.

Elsewhere, the newly empowered "coalition government" is getting busy. Rules Reform? Really?

Espada, via Liz,

"While I would like to be jubilant, it's difficult to be jubliant," Espada insisted. "This is a sobering moment born out of the need to have a coalition government - a need to really give the citizens of New York that we all work for, that we all service that we all care for, the kind of coalition government that will be focused on reform, that will be focused on delivering to them government they can be proud of.

"At the end of the day, what you witnessed today may be characterized as a power grab, as a coup. Please understand, this is a new beginning in New York State, a new beginning of bipartisan government. A new beginning of real reform."

No. You're a crook, Senator Espada. This cannot stand. This is not what the people voted for.