A constitutionally questionable appointment and some cold feed ended the summer stalemate at the Capitol in 2009.

One month after defecting to the Republicans, Sen. Pedro Espada rejoined the Democrats, restoring their majority in the chamber.

This installment of the "Tales from the Coup" series examines the bold step Gov. David Paterson made to end the impasse, negotiations to create a power-sharing agreement in the Senate and the return of the prodigal senator.

New episodes of the Capitol Confidential podcast are released on Fridays.

 

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