Even after his arrest on federal corruption charges, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver remains one of the most powerful politicians in New York.
His fellow Democrats, with a dominant two-thirds Assembly majority, are standing behind him so far, while the new legislative session begins and causes he has championed are on the table.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is launching a fresh assault on the education establishment, long protected by the Assembly. Another debate looms on raising the minimum wage, which Silver and his colleagues have been pushing.
Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry says he expects the “unflappable” Silver to keep doing the job.
The president of the state Business Council says Silver’s legal issues are a distraction but doubts they’ll affect the minimum wage debate, where many legislators have strong feelings on both sides.
(AP)
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3 Responses
I am more than happy to afford Mr. Silver the presumption of innocence until and unless he is found guilty, but an ethical position would be to recuse himself from acting as Speaker until after a trial. He does not need to resign, which may be interpreted as an admission of guilt, unless of course he starts plea bargain negotiations which start from a base of guilt. If he does that he should resign immediately.
Mr silver is a respected man and has been part of the assembly for over 20 years. The government has been after him for a very long time and have finally managed to organise something to try to bring him down. Stepping down, even temporarily, would be bad publicity and would give in to anti-Semitism.
People who know and have dealt with and worked with Mr Silver for many years, say that among politicians, hes the most honest of the bunch!
IF, and its a big if, he gets caught with anything problematic, perhaps its time to rid politics of ALL politicians. All his fellow politicians, Jewish and not Jewish, are way guiltier.
Yes, the others are by far guiltier, IF Mr Silver is guilty at all, that is! They just havent checked out others out as well.