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Senate Moves Swiftly to Make Changes After Bruno
Karen DeWitt

ALBANY, NEW YORK (2008-06-24) It was a day of rapid changes at the State Capitol, as Senator Joe Bruno, in office for 32 years, and the Majority Leader for 14 years, spoke for the first time since announcing his retirement. Republican Senators moved swiftly to vote in his replacement, Senator Dean Skelos, of Long Island.

The packed Capitol conference room burst into applause as Senator Joe Bruno entered the room, perhaps for the last time as Majority Leader. Dozens of aides, many with tears in their eyes, watched as the 79 year old Senator, who has a great granddaughter, said it was time to retire.

"Life decisions are never easy, and I've made a life decision," said Bruno who said he wanted to "step back and step out in an orderly way".

At times, the Senator was overcome with emotion.

"It's bittersweet, it's sad and it's happy. It's tough," Bruno said, his voice breaking.

Bruno stepped away from the podium, briefly, to compose himself, then answered questions in his usual spirited manner, insisting that Republicans will continue to hold on to the Senate after November, and that a two year FBI investigation into his finances has nothing to do with his decision to step down.

"I have never been accused of anything, and don't ever expect to be accused of anything, because I haven't done anything wrong," said Bruno.

Bruno also denied that his decision to retire is part of any deal with federal authorities. He would not say whether he would serve out his current term in office, which ends in December.

The Senate Leader's announced departure led to speculation, fueled in part by the State Democratic Party, that more elderly Republican Senators would decide not to seek re-election. The GOP has a slim two-seat majority in the Senate, and they fear that the Democratic ticket may sweep the state in November.

Nevertheless, several senators who are Bruno's age or older say they are staying. Senator Caesar Trunzo, of Long Island, who is 81, says he intends to be a candidate in November. Senator Hugh Farley, of Schenectady, who first won his post in 1976, the same year as Bruno, says he's also running for reelection. And he says Bruno is leaving the Senate in "good stead".

"There's not going to be bloody war," said Farley. "Things are going to go on."

Before stepping down as Majority Leader, Bruno moved quickly to engineer a smooth transition for his successor in the Senate. Republicans elected Long Island Senator Dean Skelos, who's been the Deputy Majority Leader under Bruno, to the Senate's top post. Skelos said he wants to work with Democrats Governor Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to bring property tax relief to the state.

"I'm truly humbled by this opportunity," said Skelos, who called Bruno "the best leader that we've ever had in this chamber".

Senator Tom Libous, of Binghamton, had also hoped to become Majority Leader after Bruno. Libous, who met with Skelos and Bruno, says he'll instead hold a top leadership post.

"We worked it out among us," said Libous, who was expected to be named Deputy Majority Leader.

Although he approaches the end of his career with mixed feelings, Senator Bruno says one benefit of making the decision to leave on his own terms, is that he gets to see in the media what seems to him like his own obituary. He said it was "great" to hear the accolades without being "six feet under looking up".

"It has been some some journey," said the Senator. "I'm here to laugh with you, and talk with you and say 'thank you and God bless you'".

And with that, Senator Bruno and his entourage left the room.