Andy Goodell
ALBANY – Chautauqua County’s representative in the state assembly is joining his fellow Republicans in saying that Sheldon Silver needs to step down as speaker while his corruption case is underway.
Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who’s represents Chautauqua County in the state’s lower chamber told WRFA on Thursday that with budget deliberations now underway, the legislature should not have to deal with such a major distraction.
“I’m joining a broad course of individuals calling for Sheldon Silver to step down as speaker because we don’t want his legal problems and his multi-count, multi-million dollar indictment to get in the way of our focus on trying to move the state forward,” Goodell said.
Goodell also told WRFA that it shouldn’t be too hard to find a replacement for Silver, considering there are several qualified people who could assume the role of speaker.
“There are a number of very capable guys, certainly Joe Morelle who’s the Democrat floor leader from the Rochester area.He’s very capable, very well-liked, well-respected and very knowledgeable,” Goodell said. “You’ve got Denny Farrell who’s served for literally decades as the head of the Ways and Means committee – a very capable individual. Joe Lentol, who’s from Brooklyn, who’s expertise is in the criminal justice area. He’s very well-liked and respected by a lot of people. And Carl Heastie, who’s from New York City, also a very sharp and capable guy. So there’s a lot of people out there that I think would do a good job.”
Goodell says Silver’s arrest has already served as a distraction in Albany, with budget meetings that were scheduled for Thursday being forced to be cancelled as the Assembly majority scrambled to deal with the news. He said in order to avoid any further delays or disruptions in state business, it’s important someone else comes in the assume the leadership role.
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