The New York Senate imbroglio — which held up same-sex marriage legislation, mayoral control in New York City, and other vital bills — has finally ended with the Democratic defector, Pedro Espada, returning to the Democratic fold. Espada and another Democratic colleague, Hiram Monserrate, upset the Democrat’s thin 32-30 majority five weeks ago when they decided to caucus with the Republicans. Monserrate then switched back to the Democrats, under enormous pressure, but Espada held out until now.

When New York is facing serious budget problems, the whole circus cost New York taxpayers $5 million to pay the senators while they feuded through a special session, according to the New York Post: “It could go down as the most expensive circus in state history.”