Opinion

New York’s power couple

The Issue: A bill by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that would allow spending public funds on state campaigns.

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Thanks for another excellent editorial (“How To Make Albany Sleazier,” April 27).

If anyone can make Albany a sleazier place, it’s Sheldon Silver.

During his tenure as Assembly speaker, Silver has systematically manipulated state government for his own interests, regardless of the costs or the needs of New Yorkers.

He positioned his childhood best friend, Jonathan Lippman, as the state’s chief judge.

With his judicial stooge in place, Silver controls two-thirds of state government and is now attempting to extend his longevity by using public funds to keep his loyal Assembly underlings in office.

Changes in campaign-finance law will only make him more valuable to big-money special interests like the trial lawyers and teacher unions.

Charles Compton

The Bronx

Dean Skelos has never stood firm against anything in his life, so don’t expect him to grow a spine this time around.

He is an incompetent puppet and a lap-dog for the biggest knave in New York State: Shelly Silver.

Silver reminds us that while New York City has five organized crime families, Albany has the biggest and most dangerous family of all: New York state government.

A. Levy

Manhattan