Dean Skelos, who became the top Republican in Albany on Tuesday when Joseph Bruno announced his retirement, enters his first full week as the Senate’s majority leader with plans to reintroduce himself to state and city leaders. The 60-year-old Nassau County native has scheduled sit-down meetings with Governor Paterson, a Democrat whose relationship with Mr. Skelos is untested, and Mayor Bloomberg, an important financial contributor to the embattled Senate Republican conference.

In a recent interview, Mr. Skelos spoke to The New York Sun about the divide between him and the Democratic speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, over property taxes, pressure on him to demonstrate his independence from interest groups, and his tastes in cinema, literature, and food.

Q: You talk about property taxes a lot. How do you give voters a reason to vote Republican when Governor Paterson seems to be stealing your thunder on your most important issue?

A: I’ll be sitting down with Governor Paterson next week and open up the issue on real property tax relief … and how we can go about getting a result. If a cap is something that gets it, that’s fine, subject to the will of the conference. … A cap is a 4% increase every year. People are looking for a reduction in their real property taxes.

Three-quarters of New Yorkers say they support a cap, according to a recent poll.

I understand that, but Shelly Silver has said no. If we go in and just pass it, then the papers are going to write, “Well, it didn’t mean anything. They didn’t get a result.” So the issue is how do we get the speaker and the Assembly to the table.

So the problem is Shelly right now?

He has said no to a cap, and he has not passed any of the Senate proposals, nor has he put anything out that would drive down property taxes.

What makes you different from Joseph Bruno in terms of policies you support and where you want to lead the Senate Republican conference?

I’ll develop my own style. Joe was very successful over the years on numerous issues, and my focus right now, because it’s the no. 1 issue, is real property taxes … and economic development and the revitalization of upstate New York.

The New York Post ran a cartoon that pictures you literally in the pocket of a giant hog, which is titled “Lobbyists,” a reference to an article about your political contributors. How are you going to prove your independence to interest groups?

By results.

That’s the same language that Joseph Bruno used for years.

You’re going to have to see what those results are. We’re through with this legislative session. I have always shown my independence.

NYSUT [the state teachers union] says they’re opposed to a cap.

I think everybody has to take a step back and understand that whether it’s the Senate, the Assembly, the governor, NYSUT, school board administrators, PTAs, we have to take bold steps and relieve the property tax crunch.

What’s your favorite movie?

“My Cousin Vinny.”

What’s your favorite book?

“Night Before Christmas,” and I also like “Truman” by David McCullough.

What’s your favorite food?

I love Italian food. I love linguine with white clam sauce.

Who are your three most important political role models?

Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, and Teddy Roosevelt.

What is the happiest moment of your life?

The birth of my son [Adam], July 4, 1982.

What’s your best golf score?

One time, one time I had a 79 up in Evergreen outside of Albany. That was at least 10 years ago, and I’ve never been near that again.

Where do you buy your suits?

I buy them either at Bloomingdale’s or Lord & Taylor.

What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a suit?

I think it’s about $600, and that’s unusual.

What’s the single most important piece of legislation that you accomplished?

Megan’s Law [a 1995 bill that created a statewide registry of convicted sex offenders]. I’ve probably saved many young kids’ lives.

Yankees or Mets?

Mets.

Who’s your favorite player?

My favorite player ever is Willie Mays.

On the team now?

David Wright.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you hate property taxes?

I would put it in a nine range.

Enough to challenge the teachers union?

I’m going to do what’s necessary to get results for the taxpayers.