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Silver Will Keep Speaker Title, But Give Control To Five Members

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced he will not step down from his position, but he will cede the power and responsibility to five other Assembly members while he battles corruption charges, according to nystateofpolitics.com. 

Photo Credit: File photo

The agreement came amidst pressure from both Republicans and Democrats who wanted Silver to resign. 

Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said Silvers "deal" isn't nearly enough.

"The time for selfishness is long gone,"  Astorino said in a statement. "Sheldon Silver insults New Yorkers and their state government in continuing to cling to the Assembly speakership. His 'temporary' stepping down from the post is a poorly disguised ruse that shows just how little respect he has for the legislature and the 20 million people it represents.

"For the good of the state, Mr. Silver needs to step aside completely, and he needs to do it now. If he remains reluctant to go, his colleagues must stand up and be counted and find a way to force him out. This national disgrace needs to end." 

The five Assembly members believed to be taking over for Silver are: Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, of Rochester: Ways and Means Committee Chairman Denny Farrell, of Manhattan; Queens Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, who chairs the Education Committee; Brooklyn Assemblyman Joe Lentol, chair of the Codes Committee; and Assemblyman Carl Heastie, who does double duty as chair of the Bronx Democratic Party, nystateofpolitics.com reported. 

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