I just read on blog that Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has never even voted before. If that's true, I'm not sure how I feel about supporting a candidate who have never cared enough about what the government is ruling on her community to never vote before. We don't need a political novice...scratch that, a politically apathetic person running to take-over Espada, Jr.'s seat. No more opportunists in Albany!!!

@ "Jack from Bronx 33rd Senate District".

So glad to hear that. sorry i just assumed he was one of those establishment people who is eternally in office. gladden to hear he's not (and no i'm not from hiram monserrate's former district thankfully)

I wouldda spouted my infuriation with the rest of New York live, but South Africa and Mexico were playing the World Cup opener. Call me crazy, but I like it when the rules are clear, the players respect the judge's calls, and there's a defined end to the show - you know: precisely those things that are lacking in Albany.

Calling the Governor a lame duck and blaming *him* for playing politics is pure hypocrisy. I suspect that if it hadn't been for Brian's civic duty, Espada would have gotten the grilling that he so deserves.

I wish I were in Espada's district just to run against him - nobody could do worse.

"peter from queens" is factually wrong about voters in the 33rd District. We do not keep "voting for this scum". Mr. Espada is a freshman Senator for the 33rd -- he was elected once -- and just barely. Several years ago he was a NYS Senator from a completely different district -- Sen. Diaz's current district. The Democratic machine allowed him to get elected in the 33rd by supporting the corrupt, then indicted, now convicted, Efrain Gonzalez. In the last primary, voters in the 33rd had a choice between two corrupt charlatans. We will not let it happen again. Mr. Espada will lose in September.

I, in fact, did not find Brian Leher to be easy on Espada, and Espada's bad reputation notwithstanding, I found nothing to object to in his positions: a millionaires tax vs health care cuts? Please! There are worse things than late budgets and some of them are: education cuts, MTA service cuts and suspension of free metrocards for students and, in general, the popular notion that the pain of financial house-cleaning should be more or less exclusive borne on the backs of working people. So Espada spoke out against that, whatever his sins, mortal or venial, may be. And, as to the idea that Leher somehow gave him a "free ride": nonsense! He was more rigorous in his questioning than he is normally!

A disappointing interview that really let Espada off the hook. Something a little research could have revealed and which was relevant to the topic -- Senator Espada is on record as being against the so-called "soda tax". This tax, supported by the governor, was estimated to provide $650 million in revenue and would have been used to prevent the cuts to health care about which Mr. Espada claimed to be so concerned. Real health care leaders in the institutions in his district have urged support for the soda tax, for example, Dr. Philip Ozuah, Chairman of Pediatrics at Montefiore Children's Hospital. After landlords, guess who represents the biggest sector of corporate donors to Mr. Espada's campaign for re-election -- the beverage industry. As a constituent in Espada's district -- I am looking forward to another "coup" in September -- when Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter beats Espada in the primary.

A disappointing interview that really let Espada off the hook. Something a little research could have revealed and which was relevant to the topic -- Senator Espada is on record as being against the so-called "soda tax". This tax, supported by the governor, was estimated to provide $650 million in revenue and would have been used to prevent the cuts to health care about which Mr. Espada claimed to be so concerned. Real health care leaders in the institutions in his district have urged support for the soda tax, for example, Dr. Philip Ozuah, Chairman of Pediatrics at Montefiore Children's Hospital. After landlords, guess who represents the biggest sector of corporate donors to Mr. Espada's campaign for re-election -- the beverage industry. As a constituent in Espada's district -- I am looking forward to another "coup" in September -- when Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter beats Espada in the primary.

this is why these criminals are able to infiltrate our legislative system- because journalists are NOT calling them on it.

it would be awesome if brian was heading off to jury duty for the espada case. ha good luck with them finding a jury of impartial people for that one. this man is pretty much universally hated except in the district he "lives" in that keeps voting for this scum.

Liar. Criminal! Clown! Political Embarrassment! SLEAZY Crook!

Espada shouldn't have been given the time of day! The ONLY reason he's still in office is because the Primaries are Rigged and Voter turnout was LOW.

I thought this jackass was convicted and was off to jail...please go away Pedro Espada I hear Alaska is nice this time of year.

I cannot believe this Jacka** is still in office.

Go Brian! Way to hold Espada accountable for his absurd and harmful antics! We need more journalists like you.

youre so funny brian!

What the hell? No questions about the MASSIVE corruption of that scumbag? Ridiculous

excuse me? you reformed the government for the better? you are a thug and a criminal. good luck in jail sir.

Is HE still talking? Shouldn't he be working on his defense?

HE is protecting the poor when he and his family members have earned excessive salaries at his bogus not for profit? Espada is the ultimate fox in the henhouse.

Isn't this the guy who staged a coup with a fellow criminal senator and blackmailed his way into the majority leader seat? As a voting Democrat, I'm sickened by this crying "if you don't play my way, I'll take my ball and leave" mentality. Get it done, Agree, and lets see some actions.

it's so sad and embarrassing that people vote for this guy (who doesn't even live in their district)

Why would anyone believe anything that comes out of this man's mouth?

If we elect people like this to our legislature, then we deserve what we are getting.

We have over 70 (seventy!) Billionaires in New York State, but both Espada and Paterson categorically reject raising taxes on the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers.

Espada should know how many hospitals are in his district -- he's been robbing them.

brian/jamie- please MAKE HIM ANSWER THE QUESTIONS!!!!!
DON'T LET THIS GUY CONTROL THE INTERVIEW!!! PLEASE!

Why is this man Espada on the air? Why find an honest senator to be on the show?

Espada is a functionally illiterate felon who has manipulated his constituents into thinking he's doing them a favor while robbing them blind! The level of journalism needs to be elevated here - Brian and Jaime, speak truth to power!
P.S. I guarantee Espada doesn't know what "obtuse" means.

mr. espada is a known goon and a joke to ny state politics. he hijacks the government last summer for his own purposes and is doing it again this summer. he's one of the main things wrong with the state government. can we cut him from the budget? we can't afford him anymore.

Did he just say increase toll on East River Bridges? Where were these guys during the congestion pricing debate?? We could have gotten major funding form the Feds if that had been passed.

Maybe Leslie from Manhattan can answer this: Is it my imagine or does New York have one of the most corrupt and incompetent state governments in the nation? Maybe Louisiana or Alaska are worse. Maybe.

Ask this corrupt idiot: WHERE DOES HE LIVE?

What's the record late date for our grossly incompetent, corrupt state government?

ask him where he lives!

Soundview Health Clinic used as personal piggy bank. Shame on this man.

Sushi and corruption are his calling cards.

As a former state legislator from Maryland, living in NYC, I am appalled at the cowardice of the legislatre in a, not passing a budget, WHICH IS THEIR JOB, and b, making a partisan issue of something that shouldn't be partisan; c, saying we'll vote on this if you do this, and then backing out.
No profiles in courage awards will be given to Senator Espada or this legislature. For the legislature to leave without passing the budget is neglecting their duty to the citizens of New York.

i'm very anxious to see if brian will call out pedro espada for what he really is.
please brian, no softballs for this criminal. he represents everything that is wrong with our state government and has been stealing our tax dollars for years.

I can't believe you invited the lowest of sleaze Pedro Espada. You'd better steam clean your studios after he leaves. I won't listen to that segment of the show. I don't care what he has to say about anything regarding the corrupt NYS legislators who run this corrupt state.
Let me go shower now that I've typed that name.

Is Espada just angling for more attention, influence and kickbacks? Those seem to be the only things he's any good at. And how's that investigation going into his looting of that health clinic?

No wonder New York's legislature is a do-nothing cesspool.... It's neck-deep in corrupt, incompetent grifters. Stupid and criminal - not promising for the state.