As Joe Bruno steps down as leader of the Republican majority in the state Senate, we're hopeful that his replacement, Sen. Dean Skelos, will use his new position to bring some much-needed change to the state Legislature.

After 13 years with Bruno at the helm, the time is certainly ripe for change.

Bruno received plenty of pats on the back Tuesday after publicly announcing his retirement, and he certainly did a fine job over the years of watching out for the interests of his constituency in upstate Rensselaer County, but he was also one of Albany's biggest problems, holding tight to secretive Senate rules that shut out not only Democrats but rank-and-file Republicans, as well.

The average legislator is quite far removed from the decision-making process in Albany.

Skelos could change that, but unfortunately has thus far given no indication that he has reform on his mind.

Skelos has a good track record of steering pork to his Long Island constituency, and he's been consistently re-elected to his seat since first winning it in 1984; so, much like Bruno, he doesn't need to worry about what people in other parts of the state think of him.

A bigger immediate obstacle may be the state Senate's tenuous hold on its majority.

We understand how politics works, but it's a great example of how skewed priorities are in Albany when the Senate's top agenda item isn't one of the many factors affecting the lives of the citizenry, but how to hold onto power in the face of an election year shaping up to be favorable to Democrats.

Will Skelos decide to become an instrument for change or continue the tradition of other entrenched politicians like Joe Bruno?

Skelos has an opportunity to make state government more transparent. What he will do with that opportunity remains to be seen.