Sen. Malcolm Smith makes Albany history

Sen. Malcolm Smith makes Albany history
BY KENNETH LOVETT and GLENN BLAIN DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU
Wednesday, January 7th 2009, 2:42 AM
ALBANY - After two months of political bickering, Queens Sen. Malcolm Smith is set Wednesday to become the state's first black Senate majority leader.
Three dissident Democrats who held back their support for Smith since Election Day agreed Tuesday to a deal that makes them committee chairmen in exchange for backing Smith.
"We went through a difficult process," Smith said after a closed-door meeting with most of his members.
"This was not easy. Everybody was very passionate about their concerns."
Dissidents Pedro Espada Jr. (D-Bronx), Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) and Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) said they were satisified.
Diaz wouldn't say if he got a commitment he sought that legislation to legalize gay marriage would not be brought to the floor this year for a vote.
"This clearly is a historic day for all of us," said Smith, who'll be the first Senate Democratic majority leader in 43 years.
As for the dissidents, Kruger will head the Finance Committee and Diaz will head the Aging Committee.
Espada Jr. will be vice president of urban policy for the Senate and head of the Housing Committee, among other things.
New Sen. Hiram Monserrate, the Queens Democrat facing a felony assault charge, was named head of the Consumer Protection Committee, though Smith said he will make a decision on his role within a day or two.
klovett@nydailynews.com