News Release
Contact: Public Relations Coordinator
(800) 342-9835, ext. 8130NY’s Senate Majority Leader Steps Down
(June 27 - Latham, NY) – After 32 years in the New York Senate, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Capital) has announced he will not seek re-election. The announcement was somewhat of a shock to his Senate colleagues.
Bruno’s declaration comes at a time when Democrats have been advancing their position throughout the state. With all the state’s lawmaker’s two-year terms ending in December, Democrats have a very good chance of becoming the Senate’s majority following elections. Right now, Republicans hold a slim 32-30 majority in the Senate, which they have controlled every year but one since 1938.
Less than 24 hours after Bruno’s announcement, Senator Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) was installed as the new majority leader. During his acceptance speech, Skelos declared that property tax relief would be among his first priorities.
"We congratulate Senator Skelos on his appointment and look forward to continuing our relationship with him in his new position," said William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New York. "We have a good relationship with the Senator having worked with him and his office for years. He is aware of credit unions and our issues. Our credit unions in his district are politically active and will be good partners to further strengthen that relationship."
Skelos, 60, has been a senator since 1984. Prior to his election, the Senator represented New York’s 19th Assembly district for two years. He authored Megan’s Law and created the New York State Sex Offender Registry.
The Credit Union Association of NY has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 91 years. It is the fifth largest league in the country. New York credit unions have assets of more than $40 billion and 4.2 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.cuany.org.
New York State Credit Union
League, Inc. & Affiliates
P.O. Box 15118, Albany, New York 12212-5118 | 1021 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12205
800-342-9835 | Fax 518-437-8284
