Sen. Malcolm Smith's office just issued a press release deeming today's takeover by the Senate Republicans that appears to have dumped him from his leadership post "illegal" and insisting that he's still in control.

So, Sen. Hiram Monserrate has confirmed speculation that he'll return to the Democratic fold (at least for today), deadlocking the Senate at 31-31 unless his erstwhile fellow renegade, Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., decides to follow suit.