Silver Challenger Demands More on Outside Income

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By Azi Paybarah

March 5, 2008 | 4:31 p.m

Assemblyman Sheldon Silver is being challenged to disclose more information about his outside sources of income, something the Democratic Speaker has resisted.

Paul Newell, one of his Democratic opponents, released a statement with a copy of his own 2006 1040 tax form that reads in part:

"The fact that Mr. Silver has for years repeatedly refused growing calls from newspapers and watchdog groups to disclose his exact relationship with Weitz & Luxenberg makes his need to do so all the greater. Today, I urge Speaker Silver to make it crystal-clear to New Yorkers that these payments do not influence his actions."

Outside income is also an issue for Joe Bruno, who has gotten heat for providing “entrée” to an investment firm looking to do business with state unions. Despite his reform agenda, Eliot Spitzer has spoken only tepidly about needing more financial transparency.