Some newer Assemblymembers are using the selection of a new Assembly Speaker to push for change, and have written a letter to the candidates vying to replace Sheldon Silver.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, along with more than 20 other more recently elected Democrats, are credited with helping push Speaker Silver out of his leadership post, when long time veteran members initially resisted.
Santabarbara says ideas include whether there should be limits on how long someone can be speaker. Silver held the post for 21 years before his arrest on corruption charges.
Santabarbara says the newer members also want a fairer distribution of resources, and greater say in how policy decisions are made within the frequent closed door Democratic conference meetings.
