Some of you may be aware of the corruption trial of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that started earlier this month. He’s charged with fraud, extortion and money laundering. The charges say that he, as speaker of the Assembly, took in more than $4 million illegally through a bribe-and-kickback scheme.

The trial is, of course, centering on power, greed and corruption. However, what is stunning is the tactic of Silver’s defense team alleging that Silver’s actions were just par for the course and not out of line with the current culture of Albany. “It makes some people uncomfortable, but that is the system New York State has chosen …,” said Silver’s attorney.

The culture of corruption that has led to some public officials using bribery, embezzling public dollars, and getting away with abuse on numerous levels, including rampant sexual harassment, is not what the honest, hardworking people of New York signed up for. State government has veered so far away from the ideal principles of cooperation, selflessness and truthfulness that some public officials can delude themselves into thinking their actions of power, greed and corruption are nothing but normal.

How do we fix this culture of corruption? I do not believe there is a one-solution fix, but ethics rules must be addressed now and with a glaringly honest introspective look at the culture created in Albany and elsewhere throughout the state.

Recently, you may have received a mailing from me sharing the ethics reform plan I sponsor. If the measures are enacted into law, they will be among the most stringent anti-corruption rules in the country.

The Public Officers Accountability Act would establish new crimes against the public trust, set term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs, ban corrupt politicians from running for office, and require return of campaign contributions from corrupt politicians. This act touches on the power, greed and corruption components highlighted in Silver’s case by the federal prosecutors.

In the mailer, I asked for your help. I asked for you to sign a petition calling for the bill to be brought to the floor of the Assembly, and, so far, it’s had a great response. If you haven’t had the opportunity to sign the petition yet, please visit www.tinyurl.com/Reforms4NY to do so. Those unable to go online may call my office at 493-3909, and my staff will help you add your name to the petition.

Let’s tell Albany and others that we do not choose to accept the “culture of corruption.” We demand something better.