From the Democrat and Chronicle:

Sen. Dean Skelos, a Nassau County Republican, will be named today as Senate majority leader, replacing Sen. Joseph Bruno, who announced Monday that’s he retiring at the end of the year.

Senate Republicans are seeking to avoid a bitter leadership fight by installing Skelos for the remainder of the year. Then the Republican-led Senate would regroup and choose a new leader next year if they are to retain their majority in November, according to Republican sources.

Skelos already has the backing of Republican senators, and the conference is scheduled to vote today to install Skelos. Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, will be named second in command.

Bruno has scheduled a morning news conference to announce the transition. Republicans hold a two-seat majority in the Senate.

Skelos, of Rockville Center, Long Island, was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and has served 12 years terms in the Senate.

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This is big news for those are real nuts and bolts politics types – even Real Clear Politics is covering this happening.