Why would he all of a sudden think this is the right thing to do? He has hidden his income for the history of his reign in Albany. Maybe he is working to remove the real conflicts of interests in the background while he talks openness and transparency… That statement is the going statement with the candidates too. We need more openness and transparency in government, yet they get elected and do none of it. They talk a good game but yet once elected or even worse, re-elected they sit on the hands and bow to the king Shelly Silver.

Politics on the Hudson

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will likely disclose next year how much money he makes from his side job practicing law, a key legislator predicted today.

“I think he’ll do it because he thinks it’s time,’’ said Assembly Energy Committee Chairman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, Ulster County.

The disclosure by Silver, who couldn’t be reached for comment today because of the Jewish holiday, would be significant, because his critics have charged for years that he has blocked efforts to limit lawsuits because of his ties to a Manhattan personal-injury firm, Weitz and Luxenberg.

Silver has said in the past there is a need for more disclosure, and that he plans to talk it over with his members.

Lawmakers now have to disclose any sources of income beyond their legislative salaries of more than $1,000. But they don’t have to tell the public how much they earned.