STATEMENT FROM SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DEAN G. SKELOS
I am truly honored by my election as leader of the Senate Republican Conference and as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. 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 lead 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, a session that has achieved some of the goals our Conference set out in January, some issues remain unresolved. First and foremost, we must address the issues that are putting a strain on family budgets, primarily rising property taxes. We must also redouble our efforts to revitalize our economy, particularly in Upstate New York, where so many families are worried about job security and whether there will be jobs here for their children. The Senate Majority will do everything we can to create new job opportunities and keep current jobs from leaving, so New Yorkers can enjoy economic and financial security and a bright future for their children.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.As we look ahead to November, I am confident that our demonstrated commitment to the issues most important to the people of this State will result in a larger Republican majority. That commitment, along with a recognition that checks and balances, not one party rule, make for the most effective and responsive government, will enable our Majority to go forward even stronger.Again, I deeply appreciate the support and confidence of my colleagues, I look forward to this challenge and I am honored to serve as the new Majority Leader of the State Senate and continue our work to improve the quality of life of the 19 million people of New York State.
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