ALBANY (AP) - Two New York Republicans say Long Island
Sen. Dean Skelos is expected to be elected majority leader.

They say Senate Republicans will meet behind closed doors at 10 a.m. Tuesday to vote on a new majority leader, one day after Sen. Joseph Bruno, who took control of the Senate in 1994, announced he would not seek re-election.

The Republicans say the 79-year-old Bruno will step down immediately and serve at least some of the rest of his term as a rank-and-file legislator under a deal worked out among GOP senators. Sen. Thomas Libous of Binghamton - who was seen as a contender for the leader post - will be elected deputy majority leader.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been publicly announced.

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