Politics on the Hudson

As expected, Steve Pigeon, an aide to Tom Golisano who helped broker the June 8 coup in the Senate, will be joining Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, as Espada’s general counsel.

Pigeon said he still expects to remain as co-chair of Golisano’s Responsible New York political action committee, pointing out that he once served as counsel to former Sen. Martin Connor, D-Brooklyn, and also as Erie County Democratic Committee chairman.

Pigeon (right, with Espada, earlier today as they discussed the deal in the Senate gallery) will serve as counsel to Espada, who will Senate majority leader, under a reconfigured Senate staff. The embattled AngeloAponte, who Republicans had asked for his resignation, will be retained but his duties will be split among several people.

Pigeon said Golisano is pleased with that the reforms to the Senate approved June 8 in the coup will be moving forward. And Pigeon noted that with him at Espada’s side, Golisano’s reforms won’t be lost.

“We’ve changed Albany for the good—forever,” Pigeon said.