State Senate Democratic Conference Leader has named Pedro Espada chair of the Senate's housing committee - again.

This is despite Espada's assurances to landlords that they have nothing to fear, and the fact that no important tenant bill got passed in the Senate last term. In fact, he pulled a coup (changing over to the Republicans) on the day he and Hiram Monserrate (convicted of battering his companion) were to have passed the repeal of vacancy decontrol.

[The following is simply a model. If you helped elect Democratic Senators in the last few years (phone banking, door knocking, making contributions, etc.) then by all means add that information.]

BY EMAIL: sampson@senate.state.ny.us

Dear Senator Sampson:

I write to protest in no uncertain terms the re-appointment of Pedro Espada as chair of the Senate Housing Committee.

Apart from the fact that Senator Espada is an embarrassment in every way, as chair of the Housing Committee last year he successfully torpedoed every single piece of pro-tenant legislation. He has proven himself to be a landlord stooge.

Tenants worked hard to help the Democrats become the majority in the State Senate. Being stuck with a landlord puppet as Housing Committee chair is a bitter reward for our efforts.

If you do not pass real rent reform legislation this year, legislation that takes back lost tenant protections and re-regulates apartments that we have lost in the last 15 years, you will not be the majority in 2011. And you will not have any help from me.

Sincerely,