Joseph L. Bruno was first elected to represent New York’s 43rd State Senate District (Rensselaer County and most of Saratoga County) in 1976. A Republican, Senator Bruno was first elected Temporary President of the New York State Senate in January 1995 and re-elected to that position in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

As a legislative priority, he has highlighted the state's economy and has concentrated his efforts on ways to stimulate economic development, make New York more competitive with other states and create jobs, particularly in the areas of high technology and biotechnology.

Senator Bruno has helped lead the effort to cut state taxes. During Senator Bruno's twelve years as Majority Leader, New York has enacted over $126 billion in cumulative tax savings, more than 49 other states combined, and created almost 800,000 new private sector jobs.

As Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bruno has focused on making New York State communities safe and creating a strong and vibrant economy that will ensure a bright future for our children and grandchildren. Senator Bruno is a strong supporter of pro-growth policies that will make it easier for future generations of New Yorkers to pursue long-term, good-paying jobs right here in New York State that will fulfill their career goals and at the same time, provide for their own children and families.

In 2006, Senator Bruno announced plans for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to build a new, $600 million, 1.2 million square foot semiconductor manufacturing facility at the Luther Forest Technology Park in Malta. The deal, which is one of the largest private sector industrial investments in New York State history, is projected to created more than 1,200 new high-tech jobs, thousands of construction jobs, and more then 3,000 indirect jobs.

Senator Bruno created the Gen*NY*sis program in 2002 that invested more than $225 million in capital funds in biotechnology research and development. Gen*NY*sis represents the most significant investment in biotechnology in the state’s history. Working with world-class research institutions, hospitals and universities, Gen*NY*sis provided funding to build state of the art research and development facilities and leverage additional federal and private investments of more than $1 billion and create thousands of new high-skilled and high-wage jobs throughout the state.

Senator Bruno also created the $20 million JOBS NOW fund to help make New York more economically competitive with other states. This fund targets financial assistance to those companies that commit to creating at least 300 new jobs. He also initiated the state's Jobs 2000 or "J2K" plan to encourage new high technology research and development in New York to build the foundation for the state's high tech economy in the new century.

Under Senator Bruno's leadership, New York State enacted the Senate-sponsored College Savings Program in 1997 to help families save for higher education. The program has become one of the most popular college savings programs in the nation. In addition, Senator Bruno successfully fought for "College Bound."

College Bound made New York one of the first states in the nation to allow for the deduction of tuition expenses from state taxes.

Senator Bruno also led the effort to expand and improve the state's EPIC program to enable more senior citizens to save money on prescription medications. When the expanded eligibility and benefits were implemented, applications for the program quadrupled.

While calling for an increase in personal responsibility, Senator Bruno worked on historic welfare reforms including the establishment of learnfare and workfare programs which emphasize people leaving welfare for work. Since these reforms have been in place, the state's welfare rolls have decreased dramatically, reaching the lowest level in thirty years.

Senator Bruno has also put in place many legislative reforms including the creation of joint legislative conference committees which have successfully resolved issues such as small cities school district budget voting, the creation of a pesticide use registry for breast cancer research, requiring insurance coverage for a 48 hour hospital stay for maternity, and state budget negotiations. In addition, he instituted the practice of publicly releasing legislative expenditure reports which detail legislative spending and placing the audio and video broadcast of Senate sessions on the Internet, as well as on cable television.

Senator Bruno has been instrumental in reforming the state budget process. In 1998, at the urging of Senator Bruno, public Budget Conference Committees were used for the first time in New York State history. In 2005 and 2006, the use of public Budget Conference Committees and Public Leaders’ Meetings led to two on-time budgets, for the first time in twenty years. Senator Bruno remains the leading advocate in the state for reform of the budget process, and in 2007, introduced legislation to line out every dollar spent in the State Budget.

Senator Bruno, a businessman, was born in Glens Falls, N.Y., on April 8, 1929, and is a graduate of St. Mary's. The Senator holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Skidmore College and served in the Korean conflict as an infantry sergeant. Since 1964, he has been listed in the publication "Who's Who for Young Men in America," has served as Vice-President of the New York State Jaycees, and in 1964 was named by that organization as one of the five "Outstanding Young Men of the State." He is currently listed in "Who's Who in American Politics."

Senator Bruno, who was married to the late Barbara Frasier Bruno for 57 years, is the proud father of four children, Joseph, Susan, Kenneth and Catherine, as well as the proud grandfather of seven. He currently resides in the Town of Brunswick in Rensselaer County.

As the Temporary President of the Senate, Senator Bruno is Chairman of the Rules Committee and an ex officio member of all Senate standing committees and statutory commissions.