ALBANY -- A closed-door deal is expected to assure a Democratic majority in the New York Senate led by Sen. Malcolm Smith of Queens, with a top leadership post also going to an upstate senator.

A Senate spokeswoman says the deal struck after a reportedly loud exchange in a private meeting Saturday would make Smith president pro tem, the constitutional title for leader of the chamber.

One of three dissidents who threatened a Democratic majority, Sen.-elect Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx, said he expects to be majority leader.

Majority leader and president pro tem traditionally were titles held by one person.

The deal also would make Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Klein of the Bronx vice president pro tem and Sen. William Stachowski, an Erie County Democrat, deputy majority leader.