New Leadership in the New York Assembly Vows Reform

The new Speaker of the New York State Assembly is a Democrat from the Bronx.

Carl Heastie was elected by the house to take over from Sheldon Silver, who took a seat among the rank and file yesterday to vote for Heastie as the new leader.

Silver, who was Speaker in the Assembly for 21 years is accused of taking $4 million in kickbacks and bribes.

In addressing the Assembly yesterday under continuing allegations over the past few years of corruption, Heastie vowed reform and said most of the members of the House are good eggs people, working hard for their constituents.

While Heastie vowed more openness and accountability, he has no plans to change the “Three Men in a Room” budget negotiations between the governor and the leaders of the Assembly and Senate.

Heastie says he does want to limit the amount of outside money that lawmakers can earn and have them account for where that pay comes from.