Speaker of the New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver has agreed to vacate the position he has held for the last 21 years. Reports are that the 70-year-old Democrat will yield his position to Majority Leader Joseph Morelle. Last Thursday, Silver was arrested by federal agents. He is charged with taking nearly $4 million in payoffs and kickbacks. It is unclear whether Silver plans to resign or whether his tenure will be formally ended when the assembly reconvenes on Monday. Silver’s tenure as Speaker is the second longest in the nation.
