"Speaker Silver claims to favor the death penalty, but he continues to refuse to allow a vote on this important legislation."

"Speaker Silver wants to increase state spending and keep your taxes the highest in the nation," he said.

Speaker Silver, above, contented himself to lie in the weeds.

And I had spoken to Speaker Silver about it two weeks ago.

Speaker Silver said the problems wrought by the budget change were never anticipated.

Speaker Silver, you have to come this way sir!

Speaker Silver said that he talked to the Democrats who make up his conference all the time.

But Speaker Silver can make a tough decision on the city's behalf and keep this one from ever coming to the floor.

Speaker Silver wanted any expansion to be subject to the city's land use review process, which others complained would slow down the project.

And the sexual harassment policy, while improved, still makes it hard for somebody to get an investigation beyond Speaker Silver's reach.