Politics on the Hudson

 Republicans in the Senate have elected Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, as the successor to Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, a Rensselaer County Republican who announced yesterday that he was stepping down from the powerful position.  Skelos said he was confident the GOP would retain its control in the Senate following the November elections. The current split is 32 Republicans and 30 Democrats.  

   These are some of Skelos’ comments:

   “It is a privilege to be chosen for this new challenge and opportunity to serve the people of this great state.

   “All of us owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for the leadership and service of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.  He led our conference and the State Senate for 14 years and distinguished himself as one of the greatest leaders in the history of the state.

   “Our Senate Republican Conference is strong and united and we are prepared to go forward. Our priorities continue to be providing tax relief, ensuring the highest quality education and health care and working to create jobs.  Our challenge will be to continue to ensure that everyone in every region of this state, upstate and down, rural, suburban and urban, is fairly represented and that every voice is heard.

   “While we have concluded the 2008 legislative session … some issues remain unresolved.  First and foremost, we must address the issues that are putting a strain on family budgets, primarily rising property taxes.

   “Our conference remains committed to working with Governor David Paterson and we welcome his efforts to work with us on these and other priority issues. We also look forward to working in a bipartisan spirit with Assembly Speaker Silver and leaders Malcolm Smith and Jim Tedisco, to achieve our common goals.”