Politics on the Hudson

   Gov. David Paterson just stopped by the Senate chamber to give well wishes to Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who is going to be stepping down from that position this evening. He has been majority leader since 1995. Bruno, a Republican from Brunswick, Rensselaer County, shocked everyone yesterday by announcing that he would not run for reelection.   Paterson, a Democrat who used to serve as a senator, joked that his old friend Bruno would probably have his picture on future currency someday.

   “I opened the session standing here so I didn’t think it woudl be inappropriate to end the session standing here,” said Paterson, who made the unexpected leap from lieutenant governor, presiding over the Senate, to governor in March, when Gov. Eliot Spitzer was connected with a prostitution ring and resigned.

   Bruno, 79, thanked Paterson for his kind words, leadership and for partnering with Republicans on important pieces of legislation. Bruno said Paterson “stepped in” and “stepped up” and “did it with class” in March.

   “He stepped into probably the greatest turmoil that this state has ever experienced probably since the constitution,” Bruno said.

   “Thanks mostly for being my friend,” he said to Paterson.

   Paterson, who was on his way to an evening event, said he looked forward to working with Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, Bruno’s heir apparent. After senators finish their session this evening, the GOP majority is going to vote on its new leader.