Responding to the June 23 retirement announcement from Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer), Senate Republicans chose Senator Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) to serve as Majority Leader for the rest of this year. Traditionally, after elections, the newly elected Senators pick their leaders for the next legislative session, which, in this case, will begin in January 2009. For a biography of Senator Skelos, please visit his Web site at www.senatordeanskelos.org.

Top Aide Leaving Paterson Administration
On June 24, Governor David A. Paterson announced that Paul Francis, currently one of the most powerful State officials, would leave his post of Director of State Operations. Mr. Francis was a close aide to former Governor Eliot Spitzer, and agreed to stay on during the transition period following Governor Spitzer’s resignation in March. The Governor has not yet announced a replacement.