The initial pressure members of the Majority have faced in regard to removing Speaker Silver has finally taken hold. As Speaker, Silver fostered a dangerous environment for the women of New York. His former Chief of Staff, Michael Boxley, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct. In the past few years alone, he’d overseen the paying of hush money to the victims of former Assemblyman Vito Lopez, as well as the resignations of Assemblymen Gabryszak and Kellner.

With Assemblyman Morelle stepping in as the ‘interim Speaker-elect’, we have some serious ground to make up for. Our next scheduled session day is in February, and we’ve yet to vote on a bill. Three straight canceled session days is unacceptable, and we’ve wasted valuable time. Let’s have an open and honest conversation about who should become the new speaker come February 10, and let’s begin doing the people’s work. The average family is struggling, and they certainly won’t be getting a reprieve as long as the Majority meets behind closed doors, ignoring their pleas for help.