AUBURN – Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (Assembly District 126) weighed in on the verdict of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver this week, calling on New Yorkers to be sure the verdict marks “the beginning of a new era.”

“Lincoln had a memorable way of explaining how real change can happen in our democracy. ‘Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed,” Finch said in a statement on Monday. “Today, twelve ordinary New Yorkers lit a spark by taking a stand against shadowy government and selfish politics. Every New Yorker has a responsibility to make sure that this is the beginning of a new era and not simply the end of a shameful career.”