ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sheldon Silver, the longtime leader of the New York state Assembly, agreed to give up the position he has held for 21 years in the wake of federal corruption charges, a top lawmaker announced Tuesday. The decision announced by Majority Leader Joseph Morelle came after Democratic lawmakers met behind closed doors for two days to discuss their response to the turmoil that appears likely to end one of the longest active tenures in American state politics. Some legislators also want rules changed to lessen the central power of the speaker's office and seniority system, establish more transparency in how the chamber operates and make decisions and give the chairmen of Assembly committees more authority. Silver faces five counts, including conspiracy and bribery, and is accused of using his position to obtain millions of dollars in kickbacks masked as legitimate income from two law firms.