Senator Malcolm Smith, the newly affirmed president and majority leader of the State Senate, has Upstate on his mind. Or at least he wants to look like he does.

He's even asked his Number 2, Senate Vice President Pro Tempore David Valesky, to focus on Upstate issues. Valesky is a bona-fide Upstater, living in Oneida, Madison County.

"Upstate has a new partner in Albany," Valesky said today when he and Smith stopped in Rochester to meet with Mayor Bob Duffy.

During a short press conference this afternoon, the two senators didn't offer much in the way of specifics, just generalities about supporting and revitalizing the region. Smith did say he would continue to push for a statewide high-speed rail system, and Valesky mentioned that the Democrats were introducing rules reform proposals. A press release handed out at the appearance said the senators and Duffy discussed alternative-energy development and jobs, retooling manufacturing to meet future technology needs, and brownfields clean-up.

As City writers have said before, it makes no sense for the new Senate Democratic majority to shaft Upstate. The majority of their seats come from Albany and southward. If they want to maintain or grow their conference, they'll need our votes.

It's now up to Smith and his colleagues to show us what they can do.