NY Dem senators claim majority in new session

Democrats have taken control of New York's
Senate for the first time in 43 years after whittling away the
Republicans' last stronghold in state government over the last
decade and then fending off a challenge from within their own
party.
Hours after the Democrats shored up a 32-30 majority won in the
November elections, they chose Sen. Malcolm Smith of Queens as
their majority leader on Wednesday.
The action gave Democrats control of the Senate, Assembly and
governor's office for the first time since the 1930s.
Former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Island
Republican, is expected to be the minority leader.