The Daily Freeman is reporting Assembly member Didi Barrett is the first Mid-Hudson Democrat to publicly call for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to step down. Silver was arrested Thu., Jan. 22, and faces charges that he took nearly $4 million in payoffs and kickbacks. In a statement released late Mon., Jan. 26, Barrett represents the southern half of Columbia County, and a portion of Dutchess County. She said the news of Silver's arrest saddened her. Barrett was careful to note he was entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process of law, but went on to state it was time for Silver to relinquish his leadership position.

"I stand with many of my colleagues in the belief that the time has come for Speaker Silver to step down as speaker, so that this house may move forward with the work we were elected to do free from the ethical cloud currently hanging over our deliberations. Furthermore, it is not acceptable to have an anointed successor. We should have an open and inclusive discussion about who is best suited to lead this body moving forward."

The Democratic conference has been debating Silver's fate behind closed doors in Albany and is expected to resume those discussions Tue., Jan. 27. A 17-member bloc of Democrats from the Hudson Valley and Long Island is said to agree that Silver should step down. Silver said Monday he expected to be exonerated. He offered to temporarily cede power to top lawmakers to give him time to fight the charges. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.