By Judy Rattner
"Obviously I"m delighted that my conference in the Senate has decided to elect me their majority leader," said Skelos. "I look forward to the challenges ahead, the main challenge being real property tax relief and economic development and job creation for Long Island and the rest of the state."
After several closed-door meetings in Albany that started Monday night, when Bruno informed colleagues of his decision, Republican senators announced a deal in which Bruno would step down immediately from the leadership post he has held since 1994, while continuing to serve as senator until the end of his term in December. Another contender for the top post, Sen. Thomas Libous of Binghamton, was elected deputy majority leader.
"This is a most well-deserved honor for Senator Skelos," said Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook). "The Republican majority could not have picked a more qualified, smarter, more astute person to represent New York state as majority leader. Dean Skelos is the best governmental official of my generation that Nassau County has seen, and we on Long Island have every reason to be so proud of him for all he has accomplished for this region and the entire state."
Born and raised in Rockville Centre, Skelos, a member of South Side High School's class of 1966, received a B.A. in history from Maryland's Washington College in 1970. He earned a law degree in 1975 from the Fordham University School of Law, and is counsel to the Mineola-based law firm Ruskin Moscou Evans & Faltischek.
Serving in the state Assembly for two years, Skelos was elected to the state Senate in 1984. He is the author of Megan's law, which created the New York state Sex Offender Registry, and serves as the senate representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's four-member Capital Program Review Board, and co-chairman of the legislative task force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.
Dr. William Johnson, Rockville Centre school superintendent said, "Personally I'm very happy for Dean Skelos. Dean has been a very good friend to Rockville Centre. Having spent a lot of time in Albany, I know the leadership he has provided over the years within the Senate and he certainly deserves this honor essentially bestowed upon him by his colleagues. No one in the Senate is more deserving than Dean Skelos."
Scott Cushing, a spokesman for Assemblyman Thomas Alfano, a Republican representing the Franklin Square, Elmont area, expressed the assemblyman's support. "Assemblyman Alfano is obviously incredibly excited over Senator Skelos getting majority leadership. It's a wonderful thing for Long Island and for our immediate area. It means nothing but wonderful things."
"As deputy majority leader for so many years, Senator Skelos will be an excellent asset as majority leader, not just for Long Island, but for the entire state," said Assemblyman Thomas McDonough, a Republican from Merrick. "Among many other accomplishments, he authored Megan's Law, landmark legislation for the protection of children, which has been modeled by other states. He very well understands Long Island and Long Island's unique economy. I certainly look forward to working with him."
"Senator Dean Skelos has been an outspoken and effective voice for Long Islanders and all of the Empire State's residents," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "I am proud that Dean's colleagues in Albany have recognized what his constituents have always known: He cares, he listens and he fights for the people. I am eager to continue working closely with the new majority leader of the New York state Senate."
"Today I met with my Republican colleagues in the Senate and informed them that I will not be running for re-election this November," said Bruno in a statement released by his office Monday night. "After 32 years in office, I have decided that it is time to move on with my life and to give my constituents an opportunity for new representation and my colleagues in the Senate who have supported me an opportunity for new leadership."
It is not certain whether Bruno would have remained leader of the majority party in the Senate, as the Republicans struggle to maintain their one-seat majority in the November election. And it is also not certain why Bruno stepped down now, with speculation centering on the death of Bruno's wife in January, and on a two-year ongoing investigation into his business dealings by the FBI.
"Senator Bruno was an extraordinary public servant," said Alfano. "He truly understood the plight of middle-class families throughout New York state. He was a young man brought up in the shadow of the Depression and was brought up in the shadow of challenging economic times during his youth. He brought that sensitivity of the plight of families as the leader of the Senate."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's decision not to seek re-election marks the end of an era ... Over the course of our countless discussions, negotiations and debates, Senator Bruno has been the model of dignity and fortitude, wisdom and dedication."
John O'Connell, Anthony Bottan and
Ariella Monti contributed to this story.
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