Lupardo: Tax Cap Further Stressing Storm-Tossed SchooIs - 9/13/11

ÌCYMÌ: Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo told me during a CapTon interview last night that she's
worried Southern Tier school districts impacted by recent flooding won't be able to stay within
the 2 percent property tax cap pushed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and passed by the Legislature
this past session.

"Ì'm concerned for our school districts.One of my school districts launched an entire
elementary school ÷ one that, in fact, just had gone through a beautiful renovation ÷ they're
now trying to locate themselves in another place,¨ the assemblywoman told me while standing
outside a Vestal shelter where she has set up a temporary district office.

"So, Ì think the school districts, Ì have to say, are going to be challenged, honestly, sticking
with that 2 percent property tax cap. We'll have to see how our municipalities do, but we'll know
more when we have the data.¨

Cuomo said recently the cap has a "built-in relief valve¨ that lets voters override if they feel the
need to raise taxes by more than 2 percent.

Even so, some local officials want the state and federal governments to pick up the full tab of
the storm recovery bill, insisting that to require them to pay their 12.5 percent share would break
the bank for already over-taxed property owners.

NYCOM's Peter Baynes told Gannett many local governments were already eyeing tax cap
overrides even before the added expense of the storm, and predicted that number will now
only grow. He lamented the fact that the cap legislation included no exceptions for emergency
spending.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/lupardo-tax-cap-further-stressing-storm-tossed-schools/


Cuomo Reminds: APA, DEC Permit Suspensions Not Permanent - 9/12/11

While in Keene today to announce the faster-than-expected re-opening of Rte. 73, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo said he is "happy and proud¨ of the suspension of permit requirements for emergency
work in the Adirondack Park.

But the governor also stressed that the decision late last month to let the DEC and APA waive
regulations many pro-business/development types consider too strict is neither a long-term nor
an over-arching new policy, but rather something that was intended to help speed up post-storm
recovery in the wake of Ìrene.

"What we said was we would suspend the regulations during this emergency period for projects
that are repairing what was damaged,¨ Cuomo said.

"The theory is, you're just replacing what was. Ìt's not a question of new contruction. Ìt's just
repairing what was. To the extent that it was the repair of damage done, we would suspend the
rules.¨

"Longer term, there is a balance in all of this. There are regulations which are good ideas, which
are prophylactic, and there's the reality of development that has to be done, maintenance that
has to be done, business that has to be done. And that balance has to be done on a case-by-
case basis, and on a day-to-day basis.¨

This will no doubt come as a relief to a number of environmentalists, who are worried the
suspension of permits will lead to unchecked development in a very sensitive area.

Cuomo's Q&A in Keene was pretty brief. He was asked about President Obama's nearly $500
billion jobs plan, and sort of punted, avoiding taking any formal position on the proposal and
saying that he's "all for¨ jump-starting the economy.

We're doing it. We're all for it,¨ the governor said. ".To the extent that the president and this
Congress get the national economy back on track, all the better for this state and this country.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/cuomo-reminds-apa-dec-permit-suspensions-not-
permanent/


Cuomo: Don't Let Terrorists Ruin 9/11 'CeIebration' (Updated) - 9/9/11

A "significant¨ number of additional State Police troopers have been deployed in response to the
terror threat officials worry will be timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
this Sunday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

The state is taking the threat seriously and has adopted a "prudent and diligent course of
conduct,¨ the governor said during a press briefing in Broome County today after he took
another aerial tour (Ì believe this was his third) of the Southern Tier flooding.

But Cuomo urged New Yorkers not to let the threat be either a cause for alarm or panic, adding:

"We should not allow it to dampen our spirits as we go into the celebration. What the terrorists
want is to .ruin the celebration on 9/11.and Ì don't think we should give them that.¨
Cuomo later said terrorists should not be allowed to "tarnish¨ the 9/11 commemoration, saying
that would be "an infringement of the freedom that we seek to celebrate.¨

An interesting choice of words by the governor there. So far, he's the only politician Ì've heard
cast the 10th anniversary of the attacks as something to celebrate.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/cuomo-dont-let-terrorists-ruin-911-celebration/


Cuomo: Act Now, Worry Later - 9/8/11

After an aerial tour of the Southern Tier this morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he expects the
flooding will be of "historic proportions,¨ and urged residents who live in evacutation areas to get
out while they still can.

"By the time it looks that bad, you won't be able to leave,¨ the governor said. "So leave and
leave now.¨
Those who don't live in evacuation zones should remain home and take the opportunity to
spend some quality time with their families, Cuomo said.

The governor has relocated all of the state emergency management command structure ÷ from
the State Police to the DOT to the National Guard ÷ to the Southern Tier, even though there are
other areas of the state still working to recover from tropical storm Ìrene.

Cuomo said he has tapped DMV Commissioner Barbara Fiala, the former Broome County
executive, to head up the flood response and recovery efforts in the region. Some 148 National
Guard troops have already been deployed to the area and another 180 are on the way.

The governor again stressed that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better,
informing residents that this is a "major flooding situation,¨ and something "not to be trifled with.¨

Cuomo said he will ask the Obama administration for federal disaster declarations for the
counties now experiencing flooding, thanks to the heavy rains brought by tropical storm Lee.
The governor acknowledged that the state has been dealing with natural diasters of "near
biblical proportions¨ ÷ hurricanes, flooding, etc. (he didn't mention the earthquake) ÷ all of which
comes with a hefty clean-up cost.

Cuomo said the state doesn't have resource challenges in the short term, and pledged to
mobilize whatever resources are necessary to prevent property damage and prevent the loss of
life.

He did, however, admit there will be "a large bill to pay,¨ adding: "Ìt is expensive.we've already
gone through quite a bit.¨ Cuomo said the state will worry about the cost of the storm response
at a later date, and will seek to maximize federal assistance when and if it becomes available.

The governor posted this video of flooding in Binghamton. He said he's planning to take another
aerial tour of the area this afternoon.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/cuomo-act-now-worry-later/


BIoomberg: 9/11 FamiIies Don't Need 'PoIiticaI Lectures' - 9/7/11
Ìn an interview with my downstate counterpart, Errol Louis, Mayor Bloomberg defended
his decision not to let elected officials deliver extended remarks at the 10th anniversary
commemoration of 9/11 Sunday, insisting families of the victims "don't need political lectures.¨

"Ì think no matter what an elected official says, it's going to be viewed in the context of politics,
particularly if they are going to run for office again or in the middle of a campaign,¨ Bloomberg
said.

Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie reportedly both pushed for a larger role in the
ceremony, which will also be attended by President Obama, former President George W. Bush,
former Gov. George Pataki and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Bloomberg has refused to budge on the line-up for Sunday's event ÷ a position that has also
angered members of the clergy, who were left off the program.

Louis' full interview with Bloomberg, which is something of a rarity ÷ the mayor hasn't been
on "Ìnside City Hall¨ in years (since 2009, as it turns out), although his commissioners regularly
appear ÷ will air tonight at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The mayor will also discuss his legacy and where he was on that fateful day when two planes
hit the Twin Towers and changed NYC ÷ and the world ÷ forever.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/bloomberg-911-families-dont-need-political-lectures/


'Higher ProfiIe' For Semi-First Lady Lee? - 9/1/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

An interesting tidbit in Crain's list of the 50 most powerful women in NYC, on which Food
Network star/first girlfriend Sandra Lee ranks 38th.

"Ms. Lee, 45, leverages her influence to raise money for hunger-related issues. Expect her
to assume a higher profile in her role as the state's first lady. She is said to be clearing her
schedule so she can focus on public-service endeavors.¨

There was initially a lot of excitement and speculation about the role Lee might play in a Cuomo
administration. She helped things along early on by going on the Wendy Williams show back in
2009 and saying she planned to bring "great garnishes¨ to the executive mansion in Albany.

But then Lee opted to keep a low profile during the 2010 campaign (but for Lasagnagate,
of course, which actually was sparked by comments made by the former first lady, Matilda
Cuomo).

Lee accompanied Cuomo to his inauguration weekend events, and then embarked on
a statewide tour of food banks and pantries to highlight her efforts to combat hunger ÷ a
longstanding personal crusade.

She quickly learned news reporters are more interested asking about her relationship with the
newly-minted governor than things like the world's largest bake sale, and so she has generally
eschewed all but feature writers.

Lee hasn't been spotted in Albany since Cuomo's inauguration. She has sat for a number of
interviews, including a glamorous Vogue photo spread, and also reportedly played a role in
urging Cuomo on as he pushed for gay marriage to be legalized in New York.

Lee, who has a gay younger brother and hasn't been shy about expressing her love of the
LGBT community, marched with Cuomo in the Gay Pride Parade in which he was hailed as a
conquering hero after the same-sex marriage bill passed the Senate.

Chris Cuomo told New York magazine back in April that Lee, who is a major star in her own
right, chose to take a back seat to her live-in love during the campaign because she didn't want
to steal his thunder. "Ì don't think she sees herself in the First Lady capacity at all,¨ Chris Cuomo
said at the time.

Perhaps that has changed?
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/09/higher-profile-for-semi-first-lady-lee/


Cuomo: It WiII Get Worse Before It Gets Better - 8/29/11
Fresh off a helicopter tour of the upstate areas worst hit by Ìrene this weekend, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo warned New Yorkers not to be deceived by the beautiful late summer weather today,
noting the worst of the tropical storm's impact is likely yet to come.

"Flood levels have set records and the amount of damage is devastating in some areas,¨ a polo
shirt-clad Cuomo told members of the Capitol press corps assembled in the Red Room. "And
will get worse before it gets better.¨

That is the exact opposite of the message Cuomo delivered yesterday during a brief call in to
our sister station, NY1, during which he said: "This isn't over yet, so let's stay smart and the
worst is behind us.¨

Cuomo himself acknowledged there are distinctly different Ìrene stories going in New York
today. Downstate, where most of the pre-storm preparations took place, pretty much dodged a
bullet, while upstate took a beating in the form of heavier-than-expected rain that caused rivers,
streams and creeks to flood and cause what the governor deemed "devastating¨ amounts of
damage.

Many of these swollen tributaries have yet to crest, Cuomo noted, including the Hudson River,
which is expected to do so this afternoon.

The governor declined to second guess his administration's Ìrene preparations, noting all
models had indicated that Ìrene would pummel downstate and largely leave upstate unscathed.

"Ì don't know what you can do, even in retrospect, about record rainfall and record floods that
are going to fill creeks,¨ Cuomo said. ".Mother Nature wins at the end of the day.Ìt could
have been a lot, lot worse. Ìt really could have been, and that's the silver lining to the extent that
there is one.¨

Director of State Operations Howard Glaser said there have been 191 emergency rescues
statewide since Ìrene began ÷ most of which took place in the Catskill region ÷ and six deaths,
all but one of which were drownings. (The sixth was an electrocution).

Cuomo declined to even put a ballpark figure on the cost of the storm clean-up, but he did say
there will be a "significant¨ economic impact at the end of the day.

The governor also said he expects the state will be able to pay for the damage "within the
budget framework,¨ adding: "One way or the other, these roads and bridges have to be
repaired.¨

Cuomo went out of his way to praise New Yorkers for heeding calls to prepare for Ìrene and
helping one another ÷ particularly the first responders, volunteers and members of the National
Guard. "Ìt is in our darkest hours that we shine the brightest,¨ said Cuomo, who added that he
is "proud¨ to be governor of New York at this time.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/cuomo-it-will-get-worse-before-it-gets-better/


Praise For BIoomberg From UnIikeIy Source - 8/29/11

Amid a lot of Monday morning (literally) quarterbacking about whether NY elected officials
÷ particularly Mayor Bloomberg ÷ overreacted in preparing for what turned out to be tropical
storm, not Huricane, Ìrene, comes a statement commending the mayor from a frequent
opponent: NYC Comptroller John Liu.

"Now that Hurricane Ìrene has come and gone, New Yorkers should take a moment to
recognize that the storm's effects would have been much worse if Mayor Bloomberg had not
taken steps to properly prepare the City for the worst storm to hit the East Coast in decades,¨
Liu said.

"Many of us are still coping with flooding or other problems brought on by Ìrene, but there
is no doubt that the early and successful coordination of City agencies, led by the Office of
Emergency Management, mitigated the storm's impact in the City.¨

"The Mayor, his staff, agency commissioners and most importantly, our first responders, are to
be commended for their extraordinary efforts to keep New Yorkers safe.¨
This is notable for several reasons.

These two have been warring on and off, with the most verbal recent tussle over the city's
pension costs. During a meeting with the DN editorial board, Bloomberg called Liu someone
who "doesn't know what he's talking about,¨ adding: "Ì don't know where some of this stuff
comes from.¨

Liu, of course, is one of a handful of Democrats expected to run for mayor in 2013 when
Bloomberg's third term ends.

The NYTimes reports today that one of the worst-kept secrets at City Hall is that the mayor
is all-but certain to endorse NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has had a very good
run of things over the past several months. That includes two rather flattering Times stories,
including today's piece.

Ìt's questionable how much pull Bloomberg's backing will provide to the speaker. His poll
numbers remain low and third term fatigue will likely have set in quite deeply by the time 2013
rolls around. Still, he's still well-regarded in the business community, and those folks have cash
÷ something very helpful to Quinn, who is not, unlike Bloomberg, independently wealthy.

Bloomberg had a lot of making up to do with Big Apple residents following last year's Christmas
blizzard disaster. He was not only in the city during the storm, but highly visible, too. The Daily
Beast, which graded Ìrene performances of Northeastern elected officials, gave Bloomberg a B-,
suggesting he overreacted a bit to compensate for the snowstorm debacle.

The Beast gave Gov. Andrew Cuomo and A, praising his "citizen journalism¨ in particular. But it
also noted that the bulk of the damage and flooding occurred outside NYC, which is where the
governor deployed most of the state's resources ÷ like the National Guard. So, the jury is still
out to a certain degree on how Cuomo will handle his first big natural disaster clean-up.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/praise-for-bloomberg-from-unlikely-source/


Cuomo Getting Quake Updates WhiIe Vacationing On Long IsIand - 8/23/11

..according to the governor's office, which would not disclose where, exactly, on Long Ìsland,
Cuomo is, what he's doing or whether he felt the quake.

President Obama, who is also on vacation at the moment ÷ on Martha's Vineyard ÷ received
updates about the quake while on the golf course.

Cuomo's office sent out a new statement, which is all that different from the first one, but does
have a bit more detail:

"The State Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor the effects in New York
State from the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that originated near Mineral, Virginia this afternoon.¨

"The state is initiating comprehensive reviews of critical and sensitive infrastructure including the
state's hydroelectric plants, nuclear power plants, key bridges and tunnels, and other assets.¨

"Ì am getting regular reports from agencies all over the state and at this time there are no
reports of damage or power outages.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/cuomo-getting-quake-updates-while-vacationing-on-long-
island/


Cuomo: No Reported Quake Damage - 8/23/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo just sent the following statement on today's earthquake:

"The State Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor effects in New York State
from the earthquake that originated in Virginia this afternoon.¨

"Currently, there have been no reports of damage to buildings, bridges, roads, power grids, the
Ìndian Point nuclear power plant, or other infrastructure.¨

No mention of whether the governor himself, who is on vacation at an undisclosed location
somewhere in New York, felt the quake from wherever he is at the moment.

Also, we received this, via NY1's Josh Robin, from Energy spokesman Jerry Nappi (Entery
operates Ìndian Point):

"Both reactors are operating normally at full power. There are no reports of any damage on
site.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/cuomo-no-reported-quake-damage/


Kerry Kennedy Praises PoIiticaI 'Gutsy' Move By Ex-Husband - 8/22/11

Kerry Kennedy had nothing but good things to say about her former husband, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo, during an interview with my downstate colleague, Errol Louis, that will air tonight
on "Ìnside City Hall.¨

"Ì have to say, Ì'm so happy that we are now a state that allows gay marriage,¨ said Kennedy,
president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. "So, Ì'm very proud of
my former husband Andrew Cuomo for what he's done on that. Ìt was a political gutsy move.¨

"You might not find it completely consistent the way it was with Robert Kennedy, but you find
people being inspired at that moment to make that change and that's what we need.¨

Robert Kennedy, of course, is Kerry Kennedy's late father. She was on "Ìnside City Hall¨ to
discuss the PBS premier tonight of "RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope,¨ a new film
that explores the slain presidential candidate's ties with South Africa.

Kennedy and Cuomo married with great fanfare and press converage about the melding of two
political dynasties to form "Cuomolot.¨

Their divorce after 13 years of marriage came in 2003 ÷ not long after Cuomo's failed 2002
gubernatorial bid, during which Kennedy and the couple's three daughters often joined the
candidate on the road ÷ and was similarly splayed across the front pages of NY's tabloids.

Kennedy has continued to be a human rights champion and also has kept a finger in NY politics,
campaigning for farm workers rights ÷ an effort that allied her with former Senate Majority
Leader Pedro Espada Jr. at a time when her ex was investigating and prosecuting him.

Kennedy has obstained from publicly criticizing Cuomo, and kept a low profile during the 2010
race, although she has been speculated to harbor political aspirations of her own.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/kerry-kennedy-praises-political-gutsy-move-by-ex-
husband/


With Friends Like These. - 8/18/11

NYC's oldest continuously-published black newspaper, The Amsterdam News, rather reluctantly
endorsed Andrew Cuomo for governor back in 2010, raising questions about his commitment to
the minority community, but also recognizing there was no way in hell it could ever support his
GOP challenger, Carl Paladino.

The paper has never really warmed up to Cuomo, with publisher and editor-in-chief Elinor
Tatum basically calling him out shortly before the general election last year for failing to do
enough to rally black voters ÷ a sensitive issue for the Cuomo camp ever since his failed
2002 primary challenge to then-state Comptroller H. Carl McCall, the state's first major party
gubernatorial candidate.

And things haven't improved much since then, as evidenced by a multiple-byline article that
appeared in this morning in the Amsterdam News. Ìt starts out thusly:

"Cuomo displays a self-assured air, which may be real or bravado, a plain sense of entitlement
or straight-up arrogance. Whatever he has, he walked into the AmNews offices with it.
Unabashed.¨

"There was some nerves and caution as both sides worked to measure each other, along
with some politically practiced dodging by the governor as he skillfully worked to move around
certain issues.¨

"However, the AmNews team was fairly persistent, not letting him slide on major issues of
importance like charter schools, a lack of jobs and cuts in education and social services for
people of color and the working and nonworking poor.¨

"Sometimes it seemed like a slick oilman or salesman was hovering around the room. Yes, he is
personable, but personality does not resolve issues affecting the masses and the middle class if
a genuine intent to do the right thing is absent.¨

Ouch. And there's more where that came from.

The AmNews took Cuomo to task for failing to spend sufficient time ÷ in its opinion ÷ downstate,
(funny, because Albanians would probably say he doesn't spend nearly enough time at the
executive mansion, preferring instead the comforts of the Westchester County home he shares
with Food Network star Sandra Lee).

The governor said his so-called post-session "Phase Į̀ will include more time downstate ÷ and
not just in Manhattan.

The paper is also unhappy with Cuomo's refusal to extend the millionaire's tax and use the
resulting cash to offset cuts to education spending. The governor responded by stressing that
no NYC teachers were laid off as a result of his cuts, despite threats to the contrary by the
Bloomberg administration.

The AmNews' unhappiness with Cuomo comes as no big surprise. Some of that is due to the
paper's anti-establishment nature (this is the same paper that endorsed then-Nassau County
Executive Tom Suozzi over then-AG Eliot Spitzer in 2006 ÷ the most significant ÷ if not only ÷
publication to do so).

But it's still worth noting that he continues to struggle to improve his standing with a certain
segment of the black community ÷ the segment that's probably more inclined toward the
Charles Barrons of the world.

(Ì was remiss in not noting that NY1 political director Bob Hardt pointed out this AmNews story
to me.thanks, Bob!!)
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/with-friends-like-these-2/


A Brief History Of 'Air Gov' - 8/15/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

The state-funded air fleet has provided reporters with a trove of stories over the years, not to
mention a considerable amount of ammunition for critics of incumbent governors.

Ìt's a little surprising that the Cuomo administration so mishandled the FOÌL requests for
information/flight manifestos from the governor's first legislative session, going overboard with
the redacting and then slowly walking that back over the weekend.
First of all, this is a perennial ask for LCA reporters, so routine as to be mundane.

You would think the press shop would have had the information already prepared in anticipation
of this day's arrival, particularly since there's nothing all that damning in there ÷ only the rather
nebulous question of whether Cuomo uses taxpayer-funded aircraft to commute to and from
Westchester, which falls into an ethical gray area.

Second: Cuomo was AG when the Spitzer administration tried ÷ and failed spectacularly ÷
to use Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's use of the state fleet against him. Ìn fact, Cuomo
investigated Bruno and then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer in the scandal that came to be known as
Troopergate and issued a report critical of the nebulous rules for use of state aircraft.

(One recommendation in that report: A so-called "bright line¨ rule that permits use of the aircraft
only when the purpose of the trip is exclusively governmental. New guidelines issued by the
Public Ìntegrity Commission in 2007 stated there must be a "bona fide¨ state purpose for the trip
that is also the "primary¨ reason for the travel being undertaken).

Third: The Cuomo family has considerable experience fending off criticism about the use of
state aircraft.

Veteran Capitol watchers will no doubt recall then-state Sen. George Pataki's lambasting
of his target, then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, during the 1994 campaign for what he deemed
Cuomo's "outrageous free-spending liberal philosophy,¨ demonstrated by his allowing family
members to fly on taxpayer-funded planes. A lawsuit was filed, and an out-of-court settlement
required reimbursement by the Cuomo clan.

Not long after he took office in January 1995, Pataki billed three Democratic campaign
committees for multiple air voyages taken by members of the Cuomo family and ex-Gov. Stan
Lundine and 14 members of his family.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before Pataki succumbed to the same temptation and
made frequent use of the state air fleet. Later, Pataki turned to using charter flights and sticking
taxpayers with the bill.

Here's the most ironic part: Ìn 2001 ÷ before he had even formally announced his first, (and, as
it turns out, doomed), gubernatorial run ÷ Andrew Cuomo threatened to sue Pataki for his use of
state aircraft to travel to political events, saying:

"'What's fascinating here is that Pataki is the one who initially claimed it was illegal. He said
repeatedly there is no authorization in the law for the use of state funds, not just the aircraft, for
political reasons.¨

He said he believed it was illegal, and then he went and did it himself. Therefore, by his own
definition he's breaking the law.¨
Just to be clear, there is no indication of Andrew Cuomo using state aircraft to attend political
events. However, he is no stranger to the fact that the state-funded fleet is a political hot potato.
That fact, coupled with the reform platform on which he was elected last year, makes one
wonder why the administration hasn't been more careful here.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/a-brief-history-of-air-gov/


RIP Hugh L. Carey, 1919-2011 - 8/11/11

Here's the program from the late Gov. Hugh Carey's very moving funeral service held at St.
Patrick Cathedral this morning. Archbishop Timothy Dolan was the celebrant for the funeral
mass, but the man who really stole the show (so to speak) was his predecessor, Edward
Cardinal Egan.

Egan recalled Carey as a friend, a family man, a person of strong faith and convictions and
a "political leader par excellence.¨ He also spoke of Carey's less serious side, particularly his
love of song, joking that he was certain the former governor is already under contract with the
Seraphim in heaven and leading them all in joyful praise of the Lord.

Also present was Albany Catholic Diocese Bishop Howard Hubbard, who was close to Carey
during his two, four-year terms in the governor's office. (For those not in the know, the executive
mansion is the next-door neighbor of the Cathedral of the Ìmmaculate Conception on Albany's
Eagle Street).

Many current and former elected officials attended Carey's funeral mass, including, but not
limited to: Gov. Andrew Cuomo; former Gov. Mario Cuomo and his wife, former First Lady
Matilda Cuomo; former Gov. George Pataki; Sen. Chuck Schumer; Mayor Bloomberg; former
Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Mayor David Dinkins; Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings; Reps. Peter
King and Charlie Rangel; former LG Richard Ravitch.

None of these political luminaries spoke, however. The service was very much a family affair.
A number of Carey's 11 surviving children and a few of his 25 grandchildren either did readings
or offered up very personal recollections of their father/grandfather. (He also has six great-
grandchildren and many extended family members ÷ so many that Dolan gently joked they
probably filled half of St. Patrick's all on their own).

While Mario and Matilda Cuomo went up to take holy communion, Gov. Cuomo did not.

(This has been an issue of contention, thanks largely to a professor/blogger/consultant to
the Vatican's highest court, Edward N. Peters, who has said the governor should be denied
communion because he lives with his longtime girlfriend, Food Network star Sandra Lee,
without being married to her. Lee was not at St. Patrick's today. Hubbard has said Cuomo's
right to communion is a private matter).

Ì don't believe Giuliani took communion, either. The former mayor and Egan had a rather public
tiff over communion back in 2008.

At the time, Egan, then still the head of the New York Archdiocese, accused Giuliani, who was
both a former mayor and ex-presidential contender by then, of breaking their "understanding¨ by
taking communion during the Pope's visit to the Big Apple.

At issue was Giuliani's support of abortion rights, not his marital status (his first marriage was
annulled; he divorced his second wife and is now married to his third), which, for the record,
Gov. Cuomo also supports.

Egan briefly mentioned during his remarks that Carey, who personally opposed abortion yet
championed Medicaid coverage for them while he was in office, later said he deeply regretted
that stance.

Carey will be buried today on Shelter Ìsland, the site of his family vacation home, where he died
last weekend at the age of 92.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/rip-hugh-l-carey-1919-2011/


Cuomo Brings RationaIity To SUNY - For Now - 8/9/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today signed into law the NYSUNY 2020 plan, which includes a five-year
so-called "rational tuition¨ structure for the state's public higher education system, something
SUNY officials and their allies have sought for some time.

"Rational tuition is just what the word suggests: Ìt's rational,¨ Cuomo said. "Families can plan,
organizations can manage.¨

The governor called rational tuition increase of up to 5 percent a year SUNY-wide with an
additional 3 percent for the four university centers ÷ Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony
Brook ÷ "good, obvious, necessary and long overdue.¨

But he was temporarily stumped by the question of what will happen when the five-year period
of predictable annual tuition increases comes to an end. "Ì don't know; it's five years from now,¨
the governor said, adding:

"The concept remains the same, right? "Ìt should be rational. Would the numbers be the
same? Ì think you'd probably adjust the numbers, depending on the economy and the
circumstances.Ìt would be a terrible mistake to go back to the old system.¨
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who pushed very hard for the rational tuition plan and saw it
rejected by the Legislature as part of the failed UB2020 proposal last year, could not attend the
Red Room bill signing in Albany. Cuomo praised her in abstentia for her work on the measure.

(UPDATE: As per a Tweet from the DN's Bill Hammond, Zimpher was in Washington to speak
at the Knowledge Alliance's Center for Knowledge Use retreat).

The other part of NYSUNY 2020 is a serious of so-called "challenge grants¨ for captial funding.
Campuses can compete for cash from a pool of $80 million to be administered by the ESDC.

Cuomo said decisions will be announced "soon¨ on the Stony Brook and SUNY Buffalo plans,
and noted Binghamton and Albany have been invited to pitch officials on their proposals.

He declined to comment on reports that UAlbany might include a new football stadium in its
plan, side-stepping the question of whether the challenge grant cash is only intended to fund
academic projects. "Ì have to see the plan,¨ the governor said.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/cuomo-brings-rationality-to-suny-for-now/


Rest For The Weary - 8/9/11

The hard-charging Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has barely taken a day off since he took office
back in January, told a relieved press corps this afternoon that he is currently in "negotiations¨
over vacation plans with his three daughters.

The governor, who joked that trying to make plans with his 16-year-old twins, Cara and Mariah,
and youngest child, Michaela, 13, is far more challenging that hammering out deals with the
Legislature, declined to say where he might go on his summer getaway. He did say it would
take place sometime later this month.

Asked by the DN's Bill Hammond if he might visit a few state parks or perhaps venture further
afield, Cuomo replied:

"My family may leave the state, but Ì'm staying. We're literally discussing the plans now.¨

Cuomo has conspicuously avoided leaving the state since he became governor, eschewing
even national TV shows to focus on his accomplishment-filled first legislative session.

Observers surmised he didn't want to overly fan the flames of speculation that he is eyeing
national office this soon into his first four-year term ÷ particularly not when New Yorkers clearly
don't like all the talk of his supposed White House ambitions.

Last weekend, Cuomo's schedule announced he would be spending the weekend "downstate,¨
although that was later amended to include time in Suffolk County (home of the Hamptons ÷ a
favorite hangout of at least two previous governors, George Pataki and David Paterson).

Cuomo has taken a few personal days in his much-beloved Adirondacks this year, at least once
taking his daughters skiing when they were on vacation from school. During the gubernatorial
campaign last summer, he and the girls traveled the state in an RV ÷ reprising a trip the late
Gov. Hugh Carey took with his 14-child brood when he first ran for governor in 1974).

The governor has maintained a very active post-session schedule, traveling the state to
announce his regional economic development councils and staging several ceremonial bill
signing ceremonies.

A Cuomo spokesman warned weary members of the LCA not to take this as a sign they could
pencil in their own summer vacations, informing them the governor intends to maintain the
tradition of being at the State Fair on opening day, Aug. 25.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/rest-for-the-weary/


Irony AIert - Nonprofit Edition - 8/5/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

This week's moment of irony comes compliments of the New York Council of Nonprofits' Doug
Sauer, who was kind enough to join me on CapTon last night.

For the past eight years, NYCON has run the state's only free training program for nonprofit
board members and executive directors at entities that receive funding from OASAS, the
DOH AÌDS Ìnstitute and Center for Community Health , OPWDD, OMH and OCFS, educating
individuals on a wide range of pertinent topics including reading 990s and audits, and evaluating
executive compensation.

Yes, nonprofit executive compensation ÷ the very topic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has charged a new
task force with investigating in connection with organizations that receive state funding.

Here's where the irony kicks in.

Despite the fact that this program has been extremely successful, training some 8,700 people at
an annual cost to the state of about $190,000 ÷ $39,400 per agency ÷ it appears that it will be
discontinued, or at least dramatically scaled back, due to a lack of funding.

According to Sauer, DOH no longer wants to serve as the program's lead agency. OPWDD and
OASAS are interested in continuing, but it's unclear whether they'll be able to come up with their
share of the cash.

Ìn the meantime, all the scheduled training sessions from October through December are on
hold. (The brochure for the 2011 trainings appears after the jump).

The training program was created in the late 1990s when the Senate Republicans were
investigating execessive compensation and lack of board governance at nonprofits that
provided mental health services for the state. The government response, according to Sauer,
was to "education, not regulate.¨

Sauer, who is serving on a non-profit reform committee created this summer by AG Eric
Schneiderman, expressed frustration that the state has "no comprehensive policy¨ when it
comes to non-profit organizations.

He doesn't understand why anyone would axe the lone program actively involved in education
board members and agency heads about how to oversee non-profits and what to look for to
prevent scandals like the one recently exposed by the New York Times.

Ìt's also worth noting that the program specifically deals with agencies that have been at the
center of scandals like OPWDD ÷ again exposed by the NYT ÷ and receive a considerable
amount of state aid through Medicaid.

Ìn addition, Sen. Shirley Huntley introduced a bill this past session that would require OPWDD,
OMH and OASAS to establish minimum training requirements for all board members and
trustees of nonprofits and facilities subject to the jurisdiction of their offices.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/irony-alert-nonprofit-edition/


Cuomo To Receive Award From ESPA (Updated) - 8/3/11

The Empire State Pride Agenda, New York's largest statewide LGBT organization, plans to
honor Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his "unwavering dedication and determination¨ in pushing a bill
to legalize same-sex marriage through the Legislature during his first session in office.

Cuomo will be presented with the Douglas W. Jones Leadership Award at the Oct. 27 event at
the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in Midtown Manhattan. Ìt is the first time ESPA has
given this recognition to an elected official, but the organization believes Cuomo "could not be
more deserving of this tribute,¨ according to a "save the date¨ email being sent out today.

Cuomo has come a long way from the days (during the 2010 campaign) when some LGBT
advocates questioned his dedication to pushing for same-sex marriage.

The governor was on tap to skip ESPA's big dinner, but ended up make an last-minute
decision to attend the cocktail hour after his GOP opponent, Carl Paladino, stunned the LGBT
community by warning against the perils of children being "brainwashed¨ about homosexuality.

ESPA endorsed Cuomo for governor. This year, the organization and its executive director,
Ross Levi, were intimately involved in Cuomo's coordinated campaign for same-sex marriage.

ESPA also contributed $60,000 to Cuomo's political campaign as he pushed for the marriage
bill ÷ one of the largest contributions he has received since taking office last January.

UPDATE: Levi confirmed Cuomo will be on hand to accept this award, and also will be
speaking. He said the money raised will "primarily¨ fund ESPA's political arm (a 501(c)4) and
also its PAC, both of which will contribute to/spend to assist "yes¨ voters who might be in danger
next fall.

Tickets for the fall dinner range from $750 per person for general entry to $100,000 for
a "diamond sponsor,¨ which includes two tables for 10 with VÌP placement, the inside cover of
the event journal and more.

While the dinner ÷ ESPA's biggest annual fundraiser that nets more than $1 million ÷ is in part a
celebration of the passage of gay marriage bill, organizers also want to "build a base to protect
our victory and continue the fight for equality and justice.¨

"With a 20 year history of success and victories, we have the tools to continue to work for our
community,¨ the email continues.

"We must advocate for transgender civil rights, pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination
Act, implement the legislation our community has already achieved, and work to ensure that the
health and human service needs of the LGBT community are addressed. With your support of
the Fall Dinner, we can achieve this for our community.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/08/cuomo-to-receive-award-from-espa/


King Hopes For Debt DeaI 'By Monday At The Latest' - 7/30/11

Rep. Pete King sent out this video just afternoon today. Ìn it, the Long Ìsland Republican says
he's hoping for a debt deal tomorrow or Monday "at the latest.¨

"Hopefully this will resolve in the next 48 hours,¨ said the congressman, who pledged to stay in
touch with his constituents via YouTube.

The deadline is Tuesday, as you know. So, it seems like this could come down to the wire.
Veteran Albany watchers are used to this sort of thing.

Perhaps that's why Gov. Andrew Cuomo was so thoroughly convinced Congress and the White
House won't let the country default for the first time in its history ÷ so convinced, in fact, that
he's not bothering to make contingency plans for the state in case his gut is wrong on this one.

Other governors are not nearly as confident in the deal-making abilities of our nation's leaders.
Massachusetts, for example, is making plans ÷ just in case.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/king-hopes-for-debt-deal-by-monday-at-the-latest/



CaII To Tax The Rich Persists - 7/28/11

And you thought that whole millionaire's tax thing was dead. Well, think again.

Exhibit A: An ad released by 1199 SEÌU in Massachusetts asking Sen. Scott Brown whether he
continues to support the House Republicans and "their latest proposal that protects tax breaks
for millionaires¨ after voting "yes¨ on the "cut, cap, balance¨ proposal that passed largely along
party lines (with a small boost from five aisle-crossing Dems).

The money quote: "Tell Senator Scott Brown it's time to stand for a plan that protects ordinary
Americans, not tax breaks for millionaires.¨

Exhibit B: A video Tweeted by the Alliance for Quality Education for its ongoing "Students First!¨
campaign that features a message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo from a woman by the name of
OCynthia, who says:

"You are not helping the people in comnunities that Ì live in. You're not helping our schools,
you're not helping our teachers, our nurses, our seniors. You're hurting us and you're protecting
bankers and millionaires, the same people that got us in this fix that you had to have such a
dramatic budget passed. So Ì would say to you: Tax the millionaires, tax the rich and balance
your budget that way.¨

Reminder: During his address to the nation Monday night, President Obama again expressed
support for taxing the rich, even though that's a non-starter with House Republicans. Gov.
Andrew Cuomo, as you'll recall, staunchly rejected the Assembly and Senate Democrats' push
to extend the millionaire's tax.

Advocates have noted there's still time to reinstate the tax before it sunsets at the end of this
year. The Legislature is likely to return to Albany this fall to pass the PEF contract and deal with
some other still-on-the-table matters ÷ including, perhaps, a measure to establish the health
care exchange.

But it seems unlikely at this point that the millionaire's tax will be resurrected, despite the fact
that the governor today predicted a $2.5 billion deficit next year.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/call-to-tax-the-rich-persists/


RegionaI DeveIopment CounciIs Cheat Sheet - 7/27/11

An administration source forwarded this memo of talking points on the 10 regional economic
development councils that are in mid-rollout by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and LG Bob Duffy. (Ì
believe we're at 6 and counting 0).

There's nothing earth-shattering here, but it is interesting to note the timeline being "suggested¨
by the second floor.

There are 10 "tasks¨ ÷ starting with implementing a public participation strategy that includes
at least two forums in addition to council meetings and ending with submission of the 5-year
strategic plan and grant applications by Nov. 14. As has been noted by a number of people
now, that's a very ambitious agenda.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/regional-development-councils-cheat-sheet/


Thruway Exec Director Departs, More Where That Came From - 7/27/11

Another holdover from a previous administration is departing his post ÷ the third in less than a
week.

This time it's Mike Fleischer, who has been around since the Pataki days. He sent an email to
Thruway Authority and Canal Corp. staffers today informing them that he will be giving up his
executive director job to "to pursue an attractive opportunity in the private sector.¨

Fleischer has been in his current post since April 2003. Prior to joining the authority/corporation,
he served as first deputy commissioner at the DOT. Here's the rest of his email, which doesn't
provide any additional information about his day day on the job or his next move:

"Ìt was an honor to serve with the men and women who work each day to improve the
experiences of the users of the 570-mile Thruway and the 524-mile Canal System.¨

"Ì have been struck by the 'can-do''attitude that is constantly displayed by our co-workers.
Whether it is a lock operator going out of their way to help a boater, or a snow plow driver
assisting a motorist in need, the phrase 'it's not my job' is never part of our vocabulary.¨

"We talk about the Thruway and Canal as a family, and we are. We care about each other ÷ we
sometimes disagree but we all want what is best for the organization and the people we serve.¨

"Ì want to thank all of you for the work you have done ÷ and will continue to do ÷ on behalf of the
State's residents and visitors.¨
(H/T to the DN's Ken Lovett for beating me to the punch on this one).

Fleischer's resignation comes 24 hours after NYPA CEO/President Richard Kessel announced
he will be leaving the day after Labor Day and just short of one week after MTA Chairman Jay
Walder surprised the political world by abruptly informing the Cuomo administration he will also
leave this fall to accept a job in Hong Kong.

Ì expect these resignations to be coming thick and fast as the governor moves into Phase ÌÌ
of his first year on the job, which, as he put it, will include a focus on "operationalizing¨ state
government.

An administration source informed me yesterday that "exempt positions are all under review,¨
and the the governor is particularly interested in appointments that demonstrates he intends to
live up to his campaign pledge that his administration would be the most diverse in NYS history.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/thruway-exec-director-departs-more-where-that-came-
from/


NYPA Chief KesseI Resigning - 7/26/11

Another day, another imminent vacancy for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to mull.

The Watertown Times reports embattled NYPA CEO Richard Kessel will resign, effective the
day after Labor Day. Gil Quiniones, the chief operating officer of the authority, will take over as
interim CEO while the board searches for a replacement.

Kessel, who has been in his post since September 2008, announced his departure at a NYPA
meeting today. He received a round of applause from the NYPA trustees.

Quiniones was the energy policy guru for the Bloomberg administration, chairing the Mayor's
Energy Policy Task Force and playing a big role in PlaNYC. He was also senior VP of Energy
and Telecommunications at the NYC Economic Development Corp.

Kessel served as CEO of the Long Ìsland Power Authority (LÌPA) from 1997 to 2006, and
chairman of the LÌPA Board of
Trustees from 1989 to 1995. He served on the state Consumer Protection Board from 1983 to
1995.

He has been at odds with the Cuomo administration for some time, even though he was initially
an operative for Cuomo's father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo.

He faced firing by then-GOP Gov. George Pataki and subsequently became close to a host of
Long Ìsland Republicans, including ex-Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, Senate Majority Leader Dean
Skelos and Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Mondello.

John Dyson, a former NYPA chairman who was reappointed to the authority by Cuomo this
spring, said while awaiting Senate confirmation that he planned to launch an investigation into
the use of funds for chartiable donations to organizations unrelated to NYPA's mission. (Ìn other
words: A publicly-funded slush fund with no oversight).

ÌG Ellen Biben subsquently began an investigation into Kessel's practice of handing out grants
to politically-connected organizations, issuing subpoenas for his telephone and cell phone
records, emails, schedules and contracts. This came in the wake of allegations of impropriety at
NYPA made by former Port Authority Executive Director George Marlin.

The Post's Fred Dicker reported yesterday that Kessel was "weeks away¨ from resigning after
meeting quietly with State Operations Director Howard Glaser.

Kessel's announcement comes less than a week after another Cuomo administration member
(not appointeed by the current governor) ÷ MTA Chairman Jay Walder ÷ abruptly revealed he
plans to depart this fall, too. Unlike Kessel, however, Walder is believed to have been welcome
to stay on if he wanted to.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/report-nypa-chief-resigning/


Cuomo Doesn't 'Characterize' Stories About Sandra Lee - 7/14/11

Some brave soul asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo today about his reaction to a consumer advocacy
group's call that his live-in girlfriend, Food Network star Sandra Lee, disclose her ties to the
petroleum industry.

"Yeah. Ì don't know anything about their campaign,¨ Cuomo replied. "But DEC has done. Ì think
it's a balanced report. Ìt's out for public comment, and we'll see where it goes.¨

Asked if he thought it was a "low blow¨ for a special interest to target his companion, the
governor said:

"Ì don't characterize. Ìn my business Ì don't characterize other people's actions.¨

Cuomo's comments came following a ceremonial signing of his texting-while-driving ban bill in
Watertown. That was one of three such events Cuomo had today.

The D.C.-based Food and Water Watch, which is seeking a full-out ban on hydrofracking in New
York, made the call after a WSJ story reported Lee was paid to deliver a speech to a conference
of petroleum executives in Florida. Reps to the governor and Lee have refused to identify the
group.

F&WW speculated the group was the National Fuel Gas Company, which has significant
interests in the expansion of hydrofracking in the Marcellus Shale. But a company spokesman
told CapCon Lee did not attend the event "to the best of our knowledge.¨

The governor was slightly more illuminating on the subject of how his administration came
to select the seven prisons it has tapped for closure. Oneida County corrections officers and
elected officials protested the shut down of their local facility earlier this week and called for
Cuomo to explain why he had singled it out.

"We had to close prisons,¨ Cuomo explained. "Most of the prisons are located in upstate
New York. We've closed prisons in downstate New York also. But just on the numbers, the
overwhelming majority are in upstate New York.¨

"And then the decisions of which prisons were basically made from a prison management
point of view. Where they didn't need the beds are the beds that they closed.¨ http://
www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/cuomo-doesnt-characterize-stories-about-sandra-lee/


The CIoud On Cuomo's Horizon? - 7/14/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

Former Senate Finance Committee secretary Abe Lackman agrees with the congratulatory
chorus singing Gov. Andrew Cuomo's praises for the unusually successful 2011 legislative
session, but also warned about a "cloud¨ looming on the governor's horizon.

"Ì think if there's one cloud Ì would focus on going forward it's whether the budget holds together
for the remainder of the year,¨ Lackman said during a forum in NYC yesterday co-hosted by City
Hall News; its sister publication, The Capitol; and Baruch College's School of Public Affairs.

".There are a lot of unknowns. One is: You've got $2.5 billion worth of Medicaid cuts. A lot of
those cuts have not been identified yet. We'll find out pretty soon.¨

"We're also going to find out for the first time how the June PÌT revenues are. We'll know
that in two weeks. And we don't know what's going to come out of Washington with the debt
cap in terms of yet another round of cost-shifting from the federal government to the state
government.¨
The forum, moderated by Adam Lisberg, editor of City Hall and The Capitol, and yours truly. Ìt
was sponsored by REBNY. The title: "Making History: Putting Albany's 2011 Legislative Session
in Prespective.¨

Also on the panel: Ken Shapiro, former chief counsel to Assembly Speakers Stanley Fink and
Mel Miller; John Cahill, former secretary to ex-Gov. George Pataki; David Nocenti, former
counsel to ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer; and Charles O'Byrne, former secretary to ex-Gov. David
Paterson.

Ìt was a pretty lively ÷ and unusually candid ÷ exchange. A lot of fun.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/the-cloud-on-cuomos-horizon/


CoIbert Weighs In On Fracking - 7/12/11

Ìn case you're wondering: Ìt appears he's against it.

Stephen Colbert dedicated some time on last night's "The Colbert Report¨ to hydrofracking, a
process he likened to "giving the earth an Alka-Seltzer if the Alka-Seltzer shattered your internal
organs so oil companies could harvest your juices.¨

Colbert then reported Gov. Andrew Cuomo "announced he wants to lift the ban on fracking in
this state.¨

Not actually true. The DEC released a report suggesting high-volume hydraulic fracturing
could be done safely ÷ with regulations ÷ in New York, but the decision is far from a done deal.
Cuomo has been careful not to weigh in, although he did call the DEC report "balanced.¨

Colbert made a connection between hydrofracking and Cuomo's successful push to legalize
same-sex marriage in New York, saying the governor just signed a bill that enables gay couples
to "legally frack each other¨ in the Empire State.

"Why can't energy companies drill in our backyards,¨ Colbert continued. "Oh yeah, Ì went there.
Ì live there!¨
Ìt gets a lot funnier from there, with Colbert poking fun at a Pennsylvania drilling company's
coloring book that explains the fracking process to kids using a friendly dinosaur as a guide.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/colbert-weighs-in-on-fracking/


Cuomo's Next Focus: 'Jobs, Jobs, Jobs' - 7/8/11

After an unusually successful first legislative session in which he netted an on-time budget and
saw all his top policy proposals passed, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is now turning his attention to
improving the state's economy.

During an interview with the Post's Fred Dicker on TALK 1300 this morning, Cuomo said his
administration's next focus will be "jobs, jobs, jobs.¨ He'll be unveiling a "New York Open
for Business¨ campaign and also moving to implement the long-awaited regional economic
development councils that he tasked LG Bob Duffy with heading up at the beginning of the year.

"We're not bumping up against Utopia,¨ Cuomo said. ".We had one good session. We have a
lot more to do.¨
Cuomo declined to be goaded by Dicker into criticizing the Obama administration for its
handling of the economy, even as the US Labor Department announced the unemployment rate
has ticked up to 9.2 percent.

"Even with the advantage of hindsight, nobody can say that Obama wasn't right (with the bank
bailout),¨ said Cuomo. ".When he came in we were at the edge of economic abyss.¨
Cuomo, who served as former President Clinton's HUD secretary, said Obama inherited
a "much more difficult siutation¨ than his ex-boss when it came to the economy.

The governor continued to take a hard line with PEF, rejecting the suggestion that the layoff
notices (two waves, more than 700 jobs now) are a hardball contract negotiating technique. He
insisted he has always been "100 percent consistent¨ in laying out the choice of concessions vs.
layoffs for the state worker unions.

Any "pressure¨ on PEF is being generated by the fact that its counterpart, CSEA, has accepted
a tentative five-year contract deal with the Cuomo administration in exchange for potection from
layoffs. This has provided the governor with leverage in trying to get PEF leaders to follow suit.

"From my point of view, and from the state's point of view, we'd rather not do any layoffs,¨ the
governor said, insisting ÷ yet again ÷ that the choice is "up to PEF.¨

As for where the PEF talks stand, Cuomo said only: "Ìt's basically binary. We are where we are.¨

The governor reiterated his characterization of the DEC hydrofracking report as "balanced¨ and
refused to be pinned down on a timeline for a final decision from his office as to whether drilling
will be allowed in the Marcellus Shale.

On the closure of Ìndian Point, Cuomo acknowledged that there needs to be an alternative
energy source (or sources) before the nuclear plant can be shuttered "because candles don't
work longterm.(and) just closing it would be irresponsible.¨

There was a lot of back and forth at the beginning of this interview in which Dicker complained
about being accused by the Times of using "gentle colloquy¨ when questioning the governor.

Cuomo laughingly comforted Dicker, assuring him: "There's no factual basis to call you gentle.¨
Cuomo also suggested there was no factual basis for the story in general, which criticized him
for being unusually closed and secretive ÷ more so than other modern-day governors, in fact ÷
saying:

"We have had an unprecedented in the amount of communication with the people of this
state.going to the people is not secretive, going to the people is democracy.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/cuomos-next-focus-jobs-jobs-jobs/


Schwartz To RepIace Cohen As Top Cuomo Aide - 7/8/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo just announced that Larry Schwartz, a Paterson administration holdover
who has been serving as a senior advisor on the second floor, will be appointed secretary to the
governor to replace Steve Cohen.

"Steve has served with dedication and distinction,¨ Cuomo said in a press release.

"Steve has been a critical member of a team that has produced results for the people of the
State. He has been both a friend and advisor, and he will be missed.¨

"Ìt is an honor to have Larry Schwartz in the position of secretary. For the past six months, Larry
has guided the new administration through both the budget and legislative process during one
of the most successful legislative sessions in our history.¨

"Larry has a wealth of experience in government and brings extraordinary character, intellect
and dedication to this key position. Ì am gratified that Larry has agreed to continue with the
administration.¨
Cohen's departure has been expected for some time ÷ even as he was appointed by Cuomo
back in January, insiders viewed him as a placeholder/short-timer. He has been with Cuomo
since the governor's AG days, and was one of a handful of Cuomo loyalists to follow him from
the AG's office to the Capitol's second floor last winter.

This is something of a loss for Howard Glaser, Cuomo's director of state operations, who was
once seen as in line to take over for Cohen.

Ì assume this change is effective immediately. No date was given for Cohen's last day. Nor did
the press release indicate if Schwartz will be getting a salary bump, and who ÷ if anyone ÷ will
be taking his current job.

UPDATE: A Cuomo spokesman says Cohen's last day ÷ and Schwartz's first day in his new
post ÷ will be Monday, but he'll be sticking around for a bit to assist with the transition. Still no
word on the salary question.

Cohen is leaving on a high point. He spearheaded Cuomo's successful push to legalize same-
sex marriage along with another long-time Cuomo confidant, former SEÌU/1199 political director/
communications guru Jennifer Cunningham. (Cohen was the inside guy, while Cunningham,
who is now at SKDKnickerbocker, was the outside strategist).

Schwartz's ascention was predicted Monday by the TU's Jim Odato, but it has been speculated
in the Capitol hallways for weeks now.

Schwartz has long-standing ties to the Cuomo clan. Ìn 1994, he was deputy campaign manager
for former Gov. Mario Cuomo's ill-fated campaign for a fourth term in which he was defeated by
a little-known GOP state senator, George Pataki.

Schwartz served for years as a top aide to former Westchester County Executive Nick Andy
Spano, a Democrat (not related to the former GOP senator with the same last name) who was
ousted in 2009 by Republican Rob Astorino is an upset election.

While in that post, he earned a reputation as a hard-charging and aggressive ÷ yet savvy ÷
insider who did not get along well with the local labor unions.

Schwartz took over as former Gov. David Paterson's secretary following the short and
unsuccessful tenure of Bill Cunningham, a former aide to ex-Nassau County Executive Tom
Suozzi (also ousted in 2009 by a Republican) who took over after Paterson's closest aide,
Charles O'Byrne, resigned after it was revealed he had not paid his taxes.

Schwartz served as Cuomo's point man during the transition period from his November 2010
win to his first day on the job in January 2011. But insiders believed Schwartz had actually been
serving for months as Cuomo's back-channel conduit/informant to the Patersoon administration.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/schwartz-to-replace-cohen-as-top-cuomo-aide/


Cuomo: VP TaIk 'PoIiticaI Chatter And SiIIiness' - 7/5/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo rejected the float (by ex-state GOP Chairman Bill Powers via The Post's
Fred Dicker) that President Obama might dump VP Joe Biden and ask him to run on the 2012
ticket.

"That's just political chatter and silliness; we want to stay focused on doing the good work with
the people of the state,¨ Cuomo told reporters at his Lancaster, Erie County property tax cap
event.

"We had a productive session in Albany this past legislative session, but we have a lot more to
do and that's what Ì'm focused on.¨

For the record: He didn't say definitively: "Ì'm not interested.¨ Also worth noting: Powers remains
close to former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, who raised a lot of campaign cash for Cuomo in 2010
and spoke in glowing terms about him, although he never formally joined the GOPers for
Cuomo group headed up by a former aide to ex-Gov. George Pataki, Mike McKeon.

D'Amato and Powers, as you'll recall, played the kingmakers in plucking Pataki, then an
obscure state senator, in 1994 to successfully challenge Gov. Mario Cuomo, a national liberal
icon.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/cuomo-vp-talk-political-chatter-and-silliness/


The SpeciaI EIection TimetabIe - 7/5/11

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo called special elections (much to the chagrin of the good
government advocates and the New York Times) to run concurrent with the Sept. 13 primary to
fill six vacant Assembly seats and the House seat formerly held by ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, he
set in motion a process with specific deadlines that are now fast approaching.

The last day for parties to file certificates of nomination for their candidates of choice is Monday,
July 11 at midnight.

The final day for general objections to be filed is Thursday, July 1, and for specific objections,
Wednesday, July 20.

The last day to file a certificate of acceptance or declination of a nomination is July 13, which
also happens to be the day independent candidates must file their signatures ÷ at least 3,500
legal names, which means three times that should be collected, just to be safe.

The last day to authorize a nomination is July 15, which is also the last day to fill a vacancy
caused by a declination of a nomination. The last day to authorize a substitution is July 19.

The decision about which Democrat will run for Weiner's seat rests mainly with Queens
Democratic Chairman/Rep. Joe Crowley, who controls about 70 percent of NY-9. The other 30
percent falls into Brooklyn, which is the territory of Democratic Chairman/Assemblyman Vito
Lopez.

The general consensus is that NY-9 will likely cease to exist in 2012 if party leaders have their
way, although it's still up in the air who will be in charge of redistricting. Ìt will be harder to
accomplish that goal if the governor makes good on his pledge to veto any line-drawing plan
that is created under the current, politically-controlled process.

Queens Democratic sources say the current frontrunners are Assemblymen Rory Lancman and
David Weprin. NYC Councilman Mark Weprin is largely out of the running.

Former Rep. Liz Holtzman, who represented NY-9 (albeit with different lines) from 1973 to 1981,
has her champions, too, but insiders say it would be doubly difficult for party leaders to eliminate
the district if it were held not only by a Jew ÷ something community leaders should be sure to
fight ÷ but a Jewish woman.

On the GOP side, we're expecting to hear something soon from NYC Councilman Eric Ulrich,
who is the frontrunner for his party's nod and is being pushed by ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Businessman Bob Turner, who got 40 percent of the vote in his failed challenge to Weiner, is
also in the running.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/the-special-election-timetable/


Cuomo WiII Review Hydrofracking Report - 7/1/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has apparently received the 900-page DEC hydrofracking report that he
will be considering as the public review process continues. Ìn the meantime, he's refraining from
saying very much on this controversial topic.

The report in which the agency recommends a limited lifting on the fracking moratorium,
opening about 85 percent of the Marcellus Shale to drilling, has not yet been released publicly.
Ìt will be available on the DEC Website on July 8, according to DEC Commissioner Joe
Martens.

CapTon's Nick Reisman informs me that members of the press can pick up a copy of the report
on a CD this afternoon at 5 p.m.

Happy July 4th weekend LCA!

Ì want to thank Commissioner Martens and the DEC for their tireless work on behalf of all New
Yorkers,¨ Cuomo said in a statement. "The DEC's decision was based on rigorous testing,
research, facts and science, not politics or ideology on the issue. The reports come after tens of
thousands of work-hours by dozens of professional experts.¨

"The DEC carefully balances the need to protect our environment and ensure the safety of the
drinking water of millions of New Yorkers and at the same time charts a possible path forward to
extract these natural resources safely and under aggressive and effective regulation.¨

"We have appointed a highly credible panel of nationally recognized experts to help guide this
process going forward and monitor future regulation and oversight. Ì will continue to review
the report and Ì trust the professionals at DEC to carry through the public review process to its
appropriate completion.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/cuomo-will-review-hydrofracking-report/


Cuomo: Promises Made, Promises Kept - 7/1/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has released "progress report¨ that tracks his accomplishments during his
first six months in office, pointing out that he has delivered on a number of top promises made in
his "New New York Agenda¨ during the 2010 campaign.

Those include: The on-time budget without tax increases, an ethics reform bill, the tax cap
and "restoring New York as a progressive leader¨ by getting the Legislature to pass the same-
sex marriage bill.

Cuomo also said he "fought to protect New York's rent regulation laws, which provide affordable
housing for almost a million New York families and individuals.¨

The veracity of that statement depends largely on which camp you fall into. The tenant
advocates and a number black and Latino legislators have groused that the deal Cuomo and
legislative leaders struck on rent didn't go nearly far enough to strengthen the laws.

Ìn addition, the governor says he "placed a new focus on teachers and teacher performance¨ by
working with the state Education Department and the Board of Regents to establish a teacher
evalution system (which is now being challenged in court by the teacher's union).

Later on in the document, the governor says he "realigned¨ state education aid to
provide "sustainable and predictable¨ funding. He doesn't mention that the budget included a
reduction of more than $1 billion in school aid.

"Ìn his first six months in office, Governor Cuomo has made significant progress in making his
transformational plan for building a New New York a reality,¨ the report states.

"While much has been done, much more still needs to be accomplished to restore our State
to greatness. Ìn the year ahead, Governor Cuomo will continue working to rebuild the State's
economy, lower taxes through mandate relief and pension reform, initiate the next phase
of restructuring State government through his SAGE commission and ensure world class
healthcare and education for our people.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/cuomo-promises-made-promises-kept/

Goo-Goos Disappointed In Cuomo - 7/1/11

A coaliton of good government organizations are expressing "disappointment¨ with Gov. Andrew
Cuomo's decision to call special elections to fill the six vacant Assembly seats instead of letting
the regular primary and general election process play out.

Cuomo's move means the selection of candidates will be largely controlled by major party
leaders, although it is possible ÷ albeit difficult ÷ for independent contenders to circulate
petitions and get onto the ballot.

Ìn a joint statement issued this afternoon, the Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause/NY,
Citizens Union, the League of Women Voters of NYS and NYS, NYPÌRG and the Women's
City Club Of New York said that while special elections are in keeping with "political tradition,¨
going this route "represents a lost opportunity to change business as usual and challenge the
entrenched interests that dominate special elections.¨

That's a serious zinger for a guy like Cuomo, whose entire 2010 platform was all about taking
on the so-called "special interests,¨ although the definition of who fell into that category was
rather subjective ÷ unions and lobbyists, yes; business organizations that fueled the Committee
to Save NY, no.

Also interesting to note: Most of these groups worked with the governor on the ethics reform
legislation and then praised the final product, even while acknowledging it was far from perfect.

"The governor's action comes after a legislative session that saw no meaningful election reform
legislation or administrative actions to increase voter participation,¨ the goo-goos continued.

"The governor has compounded the lack of action by scheduling special elections for these
seats on Primary Day, when fewer voters turn out as compared to theGeneral Election in
November.We urge the Governor to commit to a swift end of the current practice of filling
vacancies for state offices, through legislative or executive action.¨

Citizens Union recently released a report titled "Circumventing Democracy¨ that highlights the
flaws of the special election process and also notes how many current incubent legislators got
their foot in the door this way.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/07/goo-goos-disappointed-in-cuomo/


Cuomo Says Layoffs WiII Be PEF's FauIt - 6/30/11

Asked about the TU's report than some 451 pink slips are being sent out today, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo said the onus belongs on PEF, which has yet to strike a contract deal with his
administration.

"We have been working very hard for months to negotiate a deal with the labor unions so no
one has to be laid off,¨ the governor said following a tax cap event on Long Ìsland, attended by
NY1's Grace Rauh, who was kind enough to send CapTon these quotes.

"Those conversations are ongoing. As we've said all along, if we can't reach an accord then
there would have to be layoffs. Ìt was part of balancing the state budget back in April.¨

Ìt shouldn't come as any big surprise that the Cuomo administation is moving forward with
its layoff plans ÷ minus CSEA members, thanks to a contract deal struck last week by union
leaders, which has yet to be approved by rank-and-file members.

The governor made it quite clear that the CSEA agreement would help achieve the $450 million
workforce savings included in the 2011-2012 budget, insisting the need for up to 9,800 layoffs
would be averted if other unions followed suit. So far, however, PEF has refused, although it is
surveying its members on the CSEA deal.

Asked about the timeline for layoffs, Cuomo said today:

"We are getting closer and closer to the deadline and notices are starting to go out. But it
is going to be up to PEF. We reached an agreement with CSEA, which is a very large and
powerful union. We reached an agreement and we are hoping the other unions are reasonable
like CSEA.¨

Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto stressed that what went out today were not, technically
speaking, pink slips, but rather the precursor to pink slips in the form of 20-day notices that are
required before actual firing is allowed.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomo-says-layoffs-will-be-pefs-fault/


Cuomo Touts Tax Cap (Updated) - 6/30/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed the tax cap into law, calling it "a critical step toward New York's
economic recovery, and will set our state on a path to prosperity.¨

The CEREMONÌAL bill signing ceremony took place at a private residence ÷ the home of James
and Janet Gannon in Lynbrook, Nassau County, where residents pay some of the highest
property taxes in the nation. (Cuomo is later scheduled to hold another ceremonial bill signing in
Westchester, which is No. 1 on the national high-tax list).

UPDATE: Ì've altered this post's headline to reflect the fact that today's proceedings were
merely ceremonial. According to Gannett's Joe Spector, Cuomo actually already signed the
entire big ugly into law ÷ albeit very quietly. He had to do so ASAP because the rent laws, which
are also addressed in that same piece of legislation, had already expired ÷ twice, in fact.

The Gannons pay close to $11,000 annually in property taxes, which is almost three times the
median property tax bill in New York. He's a small business owner. She's a public school nurse.

The median property tax bill in Nassau County is $8,478 per household. The median U.S.
property tax bill is $1,917, while in New York the median property tax bill is $3,755.

"For decades, taxpayers across New York state have been burdened by back-breaking property
taxes that have crippled businesses and families,¨ Cuomo said in a press release.

"Ìt is appropriate to sign this property tax cap at the Gannon household, as millions of
homeowners like them have had the deck stacked against them for too long. This tax cap
is a critical step toward New York's economic recovery, and will set our state on a path to
prosperity.¨

Cuomo's release also includes quotes from two Republicans ÷ Senate Majority Leader Dean
Skelos, who also hails from Nassau County (he attended the event at the Gannons' home);
and the local county executive, Ed Mangano. (Ìncidentally, while the county may be rolling in
property tax revenue, it's also wallowing in red ink and is currently under the management of a
state-controlled board).

Democratic Assemblyman Chuck Lavine also got some space on Cuomo's release. He called
the cap "historic.¨

As you'll recall, the cap was part of the so-called "big ugly¨ that took weeks to hammer out at the
end of the session. The bill also included extension and modest strengthening of the NYC rent
laws and some minimal mandate relief designed to offset the impacts of the cap on municipal
governments and school districts.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomo-signs-tax-cap/


Q PoII: Cuomo The Nation's Most Approved Of Gov - 6/29/11

.And this won't perpetuate the 2016 talk, of course. (Not).

Today's Q poll finds Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to enjoy a high job approval rating of 64-
19 in spite of ÷ or perhaps because ÷ his successful push to legalize same-sex marriage in New
York.

Cuomo's numbers put him on top of the heap as far as the nation's governors are concerned.

This is the highest point for a New York governor since then-GOP Gov. George Pataki clocked
in at 66-18 in July 2002 ÷ right around the time Cuomo was in the middle of a quixotic primary
challenge to then-state Comptroller H. Carl McCall in hopes of taking on Pataki that November.

He's 20 points ahead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is sometimes mentioned (or,
rather, hoped for) as a potential Cuomo opponent in the 2016 presidential race.

Cuomo's numbers haven't moved, statistically speaking, since June when he was at 64-16,
which means his end of session sweep appears to have neither helped nor hurt him.

The governor's championing of gay marriage did not hurt his standing with fellow white
Catholics, who approve of him 62-22 percent.

He's at 53-26 percent with Republicans, 75-13 among fellow Democrats, 61-19 with
independent voters and 63-20 in union households. (That last one is particularly noteworthy,
considering Cuomo's hard line with state worker unions and ongoing fights with PEF and
NYSUT).

New York voters rate Cuomo more liberal than conservative. On a scale of 1 to 100, where 100
is totally liberal, Cuomo gets a mean score of 63.4.

The one cloud in this sky: Transparency. Only 37 percent of those polled said Cuomo has
opened up the decision-making process in Albany.

Voters continue to view the Legislature and its leaders negatively on the whole, but approve of
their local state senators and Assembly members.

President Obama's approve rating is down to 57-38 from 60-35 on June 1, but more than half
of New Yorkers still think he should be re-elected in 2012 and are ready to vote for him over an
unnamed GOP challenger.

Both Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are enjoying high Q poll ratings. He's at 64-
24, his highest in years; while she's matching her all-time high score of 54-22.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/q-poll-cuomo-the-nations-most-approved-of-gov/


Weekend Open Thread - 6/25/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the same-sex marriage bill into law at 11:55 p.m. last night, which
means it will take effect in 30 days. July 24, Ì believe is the date.

Ìt was an historic night ÷ and a huge win for the governor, who swept the table in his first six
months on the job. Not only did he get an on-time budget, but he realized all three of his post-
budget policy priorities: Ethics reform, gay marriage and a property tax cap ÷ with extension of
the rent laws thrown in for good measure.

With the exception of the marriage bill, which was a straight up yes-or-no situation, Cuomo had
to compromise to realize his other priorities.

The ethics reform deal was far from perfect. Even good government advocates who worked
on and hailed the agreement readily admit that. The cap is offset by mandate relief that critics
say doesn't go nearly far enough. Downstate tenant advocates and their allies in the Black and
Latino legislative caucus (a very important political constituency for Cuomo going forward) are
unhappy with the rent deal. But, then again, the landlords aren't thrilled with it, either.

Still, it's an amazing record of achievement for a newly-minted governor ÷ particularly in a town
like Albany, with its reputation of inaction and dysfunction.

The gay marriage win elevates Cuomo still further on the national stage, coming at a time when
President Obama is under pressure from the LGBT community to change his position from
support of civil unions to full marriage equality as he heads into the 2012 election.

The governor had already been speculated to harbor White House aspirations himself ÷ an
effort that would enable him to surpass the the record of his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo,
who contemplated, but never went for, a presidential run.

Last night's vote in the Senate, and Cuomo's deft maneuvering to succeed where two others
÷ Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson ÷ had failed, has catapulted him into the national spotlight.
Expect the 2016 chatter ÷ and the scrutiny ÷ to only intensify from here.

Ìt has been a long two weeks for us here at CapTon. We're all taking a bit of a break. Ì'll be
back with you tomorrow. Ìn the meantime, feel free to discuss whatever it is that strikes your
fancy ÷ same-sex marriage, the big ugly, SUNY 2020, ethics, Obama, the weather. Enjoy your
weekend, and be well.

P.S. Ìf you haven't already, read this tick-tock by NYTimes scribe Michael Barbaro, it lays out in
detail how Cuomo got the Senate to yes.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/weekend-open-thread-25/


Senate WiII Conference Gay Marriage Vote Today - 6/23/11

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said this morning that his GOP conference will discuss for
the first time today whether to let the same-sex marriage bill come to the floor for a vote. Skelos
did not give a time for this closed-door confab.

The majority members have had several lengthy discussions about the issue of gay marriage in
general, but have not yet officially wrestled with the question of whether they want to vote on the
controversial issue or punt.

"We're going to conference the language of the amendments; we're going to conference the
whole issue,¨ Skelos said. "And Ì expect that that's going to take a little time.¨
Skelos refused to say whether he believed the vote could take place in the middle of the night
(to minimize TV coverage and allow for a quick getaway), as has been widely speculated. He
said the conference will make that decision.

As for the "big ugly,¨ Skelos insisted that "everything is on track,¨ although some technical
details are still being worked out. He said some bill printing has begun and he is "optimistic¨
and "hopeful¨ about passage sometime today.

All but one (Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.) of the 30 Democratic senators have announced they will
vote "yes¨ if the bill comes to the floor, including three who voted "no¨ when the bill failed in
2009: Sens. Carl Kruger, Shirley Huntley and Joe Addabbo.

Two members of the 32-member GOP conference have announced they will join the Democrats
in voting "yes¨ ÷ Sens. Roy McDonald and Jim Alesi.

That leaves the gay marriage bill one vote short of the 32 needed for passage. Republicans who
have been working on this issue have insisted the 32nd vote has been secured, but they refuse
to reveal who that individual is. A number of GOP senators have privately said they believe the
bill will pass ÷ perhaps even with 34 or 35 votes ÷ if it is allowed onto the floor.

The question now is if the majority of the majority conference is willing to let the bill out. They're
under enormous pressure from the Conservative Party, which has threatened to un-endorse any
Republican who votes "yes,¨ and the religious right, which is threatening to primary any straying
GOP senators.

However, these threats are offset somewhat by the deep-pocketed and well-organized LGBT
community, which has pledged to protect "yes¨ voters and also will undoubtedly be furious if the
bill doesn't at least come to the floor a second time.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been pushing very hard on this one, had said he didn't want to
see the bill come to the floor if it was going to fail. But he changed his tune yesterday, saying
the public deserves an up-or-down vote.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/senate-will-conference-gay-marriage-vote-today/


Cuomo To Unions: FoIIow CSEA, Avoid Layoffs - 6/22/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo just put out his own press release announcing the tentative 5-year contract
deal he has reached with CSEA, with comments that largely echo his statement in the union
release ÷ with one notable exception.

See if you can spot it. Here's Cuomo's statement from his own release:

"Ì applaud CSEA's leadership for their hard work to reach this deal which is a win-win for CSEA
members and the State of New York. This tentative contract, if adopted by the other bargaining
units, means layoffs needed to achieve needed workforce savings would be avoided.¨

"CSEA members are the backbone of state government, responsible for delivering services
to 19 million New Yorkers. Ì commend the union and its leadership for making a significant
contribution to help get the state's fiscal house in order and making the shared sacrifices these
difficult times require. Working together, we will turn this state around and get our economy
moving once again.¨

Here's his comments in the CSEA release:

"Ì applaud CSEA's leadership for their hard work to reach this deal which is a win-win for CSEA
members and the State of New York. Ì commend the union and its leadership for making a
significant contribution to help get the state's fiscal house in order and making the shared
sacrifices these difficult times require. Working together, we will turn this state around and get
our economy moving once again.¨

Got it? There's nary a mention of layoffs in statement No. 2. Ìnteresting. Ì'm not sure if that
means CSEA members balked at the idea of being used as a wedge against their union
brethren, or the governor simply chose to send a stronger message with his release.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomo-to-unions-follow-csea-avoid-layoffs/


BIack And Latino Lawmakers At Odds With Cuomo - 6/22/11

Assemblyman Karim Camara, the newly-minted chair of the Black, Puerto Rican Hispanic &
Asian Legislative Caucus, called an "emergency¨ meeting this morning to discuss the rent laws/
property tax cap portion of the "big ugly¨ deal, about which many downstate Democrats of color
are particularly upset.

With tenant advocates like Michael McKee accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo of selling out on
this agreement (oddly, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is so far not bearing the brunt of the
blame), these lawmakers are huddling to determine whether or not they'll be able to hold their
collective nose and vote for the bill ÷ whenever it gets printed and shows up on the floor of the
respective legislative houses.

Ìt could be a problem if the Democrats decide to vote against the bill ÷ particularly in the Senate.
(We've already seen the minority kill a rent extension once). But with the ÌDC members' support,
it's likely the GOP won't have any trouble this time because majority members are very bullish
on the tax cap.

The problem here, however, appears to go much further than the rent laws. One caucus
member told me the governor's entire relationship with the black and brown communities is
now "in question.¨

"You know, this session in the view of many has been a disaster for the black community,¨ this
lawmaker said. "No millionaire's tax. Dramatic cuts in education and a weak renewal of the rent
laws.¨

"Our communities expected more under a Democratic governor and we failed to get it. The
future of the relationship is uncertain.The question that a lot of people are asking is: What
have our communities gotten under this governor. The answer to that question will shape the
future of the relationship.¨

The governor's relationship with the black and Latino communities is something of a sore spot
dating back to his ill-fated 2002 gubernatorial primary challenge of then-state Comptroller H.
Carl McCall, New York's first major party black candidate for governor. (Cuomo dropped out one
week prior to the primary election, and McCall ended up losing to the Republican incumbent,
Gov. George Pataki).

McCall ended up being one of Cuomo's biggest supporters/surrogates during the 2010
campaign and even defended him when some questioned whether he would be able to
challenge then-Gov. David Paterson, the state's first black governor. (Paterson ended up
dropping out of the race, so Cuomo was spared having to go through with that).

McCall also stepped up to defend Cuomo when he came under fire for the all-white statewide
ticket in 2010. As you'll recall, this issue came to a head at the Democratic convention in Rye
when the news broke that Cuomo had picked then-Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy to be his LG
running mate. The Rev. Al Sharpton complained vociferously, and Cuomo responded with a
pledge to make his administration the most diverse in New York history.

Several months into the governor's tenure, he found himself fending off questions from Latino
lawmakers about the lack of high-level appointees from their community in his administration.
Cuomo tapped Cesar Peralas to serve as state Secretary of State, timing the announcement of
that selection to correspond with the annual Somos conference in Albany.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/black-and-latino-lawmakers-at-odds-with-cuomo/


Light At The End Of The TunneI - 6/21/11

.After emerging from a closed-door meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Gov.
Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos told reporters he believes the trio has
reached "the framework of an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues¨ ÷ with the exception
of same-sex marriage.

"Ì'm not going to get into specifics,¨ Skelos told me, the DN's Ken Lovett and City Hall's Adam
Lisberg as we followed him into his third floor office. (He spoke briefly with reporters outside the
governor's office on the second floor, too).

"Ì think we're going to have a real good, complete package.This is a wrap-up of what Ì believe
are all the outstanding issues.hopefully, we can conclude tomorrow.¨
Said "package¨ will include the rent laws, the property tax cap, mandate relief and SUNY 2020,
according to Skelos. He did not offer any details. He also insisted the topic of gay marriage "was
not discussed.¨

The majority leader stressed that this deal is "tentative¨ and other issues could "pop up.¨ He also
said he and his conference still need to review "language¨ on gay marriage and decide whether
there will be a vote before the Senate leaves Albany for the summer.

According to CapTon's Nick Reisman, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver subsequently came
out of the three-way and confirmed Skelos' news, and said voting could start as early as this
evening.

The governor did not make a public appearance ÷ he hasn't throughout this whole end-of-
session negotiation process. But Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto confirmed the three-way
tentative agreement. UPDATE: Vlasto notes Cuomo made two appearances last week: One on
Monday and another on Friday.

So, it's official as we now have three-way confirmation.

So far, we haven't seen any of the religious protections that have been discussed by the
Republicans and the governor's office materialize into bill language. Several on-the-fence
senators ÷ Greg Ball, Andrew Lanza ÷ have said they would not be able to vote "yes¨ unless the
religious protection issue is addressed.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/


Cuomo's Labor GambIe - 6/21/11

One last clip from last night's CapTon ÷ this time from PEF President Ken Brynien, who opined
on whether Gov. Andrew Cuomo tough approach with labor unions could come back to bite him
if he runs for president in 2016.

Ì asked Brynien if he thought Cuomo, who is at odds with progressives in general, but at war
with the teachers and state workers unions, might have sufficient time to patch things up
between now and a potential White House bid.

"His father tried to run for president, or at least made noise about it. Didn't quite get there. And
it could be because he didn't have full support of labor. Ì don't know. He's got time today. Ì'll
sit down with him now if he wants to talk, and Ì bet the other union leaders would too,¨ the PEF
president responded.

"Ì know there's a lot going on with the gay marriage thing and the rent control thing and all the
other things that are going on in the state. But when you're in that position, when you're sitting in
the governor's seat, you've got to be able to juggle all these thing at once.¨

Cuomo seems to be taking a divide-and-conquer approach with the state workers, who have
been without a contract since midnight on April 1. While he might have failed in getting a model
contract from Council 82, might he have some success driving a wedge between the two largest
state employee unions?

The TU's Rick Karlin noted that CSEA members did NOT appear to take part in large numbers
in yesterday's rallies protesting the layoffs with which the governor is moving ahead in the
absence of concessions worth some $450 million. A CSEA spokesman told the paper the union
is at a "critical stage¨ of contract talks.

By contrast, Brynien told me yesterday that the Cuomo administration hasn't come to the
negotiating table with his union for about four weeks now.

Ìt's hard to see how any Democratic presidential candidate succeeds without labor in his (or her)
corner in 2016, even with the famously fractured movement diminishing in power over the years.
But public sector employees are the boogeyman du jour these days for governors all over the
country (particularly Republicans, consider Wisconsin).

So, perhaps Cuomo is banking on the fact that he's got the public opinion on his side here ÷
much like with gay marriage ÷ and also is counting on the fact that labor won't likely support a
Republican, particularly not with the rightward trend the party has been taking of late.

UPDATE: A Cuomo aide noted the governor enjoyed widespread labor support during the 2010
campaign, with the exception of some holdouts like NYSUT and CSEA. However, Brynien told
me yesterday that had he known then what he knows now, he would not have backed Cuomo.

The point here is twofold: 1) There was no way labor was going to back a Republican ÷ certainly
not Carl Paladino, and 2) Cuomo had no record as an executive with labor (he was good with
the unions during his four years as AG, leaders say), but now he's got one on which he'll be
judged going forward.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomos-labor-gamble/


Cuomo: Session Won't End UntiI 'PeopIe's Business' Is Done - 6/15/11

.and by "people's business,¨ he appears to mean strengthening and extending the rent laws ÷
although he doesn't go into any specifics about what that means to him, bill-wise. And there are
a LOT of bills out there.

The last Ì checked, Ì think there were no fewer than eight pieces of legislation that address 421-
a alone.

Sen. Adriano Espaillat has been heading up the Senate Democrats' push on the rent laws,
which are set to expire at midnight tonight. He told us earlier today that the governor had
pledged to keep the Legislature in Albany until there's a deal on this issue.

Ìt's a big deal for downstate Democrats, which is why it's now linked to the property tax cap ÷ a
big deal for suburban and upstate Republicans.

Here's Cuomo's statement:

"Ìf the laws are not renewed, over the long term, there would be nothing less than a housing
crisis in the State. Today's expiration is generating anxiety among affected tenants and their
advocates. This is compounded by the fact that the anticipated end of the Legislative session is
next week.¨

"My position has been clear. New York's rent laws must be extended and strengthened.¨

"However, New Yorkers should know the facts. There would be no short-term emergency.
Current rent laws could be continued by short-term 'extender' legislation or even if the laws
lapse for a short period of time, which they have in the past, there will not be a significant
increase in rent levels or disruption in the availability of affordable housing.

"Make no mistake, to prevent a long term crisis, these laws must be renewed and
strengthened.¨

"There is a full agenda for both the Assembly and Senate to accomplish and the legislative
session will not end, either through regular or special session, until the people's business is
done.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomo-session-wont-end-until-peoples-business-is-done/


Cuomo EmaiIs On Ethics Reform - 6/10/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

Several readers forwarded an email they received very early this morning from Gov. Andrew
Cuomo entitled "Cleaning Up Albany¨ that touts the ethics reform deal formally announced
Monday (on the heels of a late Friday press release) as containing the "most comprehensive
ethics enhancements in modern history.¨

As you'll recall, bill language wasn't immediately provided to reporters at that Red Room press
conference. (A "memo¨ was circulated instead).

When the bill itself was finally available for parsing, it quickly became clear that the governor
had been forced to cut some serious deals with legislative leaders in order to get an agreement
÷ something he needed very badly, considering that cleaning up the Capitol had been a
hallmark of his 2010 campaign.

Good government advocates admit the bill ÷ particularly the part about the structure and rules
governing JCOPE and the omission of anything to do with campaign finance reform ÷ is far from
perfect. However, they have stressed that this is a good first step, and one that can be revisited
after several years for tweaking and, if lawmakers allow it, strengthening.

The ethics deal is expected to be passed by the Legislature next week (the Senate is taking it
up Monday). Still up in the air are the other two of Cuomo's trio of post-budget policy priorities:
The tax cap and same-sex marriage.

Here's the text of Cuomo's email, which also includes a link to Monday's press conference:

"This week Governor Cuomo unveiled a historic ethics reform bill that will help bring integrity,
accountability, and public confidence back to New York State government. The Public Ìntegrity
Reform Act of 2011 is the tough and aggressive approach we need to usher in a dramatic
change in the way our government does business.¨

"The Governor's bill contains the most comprehensive ethics enhancements in modern history.
Ìt provides for strict disclosure of outside income by lawmakers, creates a true independent
monitor to investigate corruption, and sets new rules that lobbyists must follow.By cleaning up
Albany, we will begin a new era of transparency and effectiveness in our state and give New
Yorkers a government they can believe in.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/cuomo-emails-on-ethics-reform/


Ethics Reform Press Conference - LivebIog - 6/6/11 GENERALLY SNARKY

And..we're out.

2:53 p.m. Woah. Complicated. Governor tries to explain the JCOPE vote necessary to
investigate a legislator. "You need to have two of the four of the quote unquote target party,
which is roughly fifty percent; it is fifty percent.¨

2:51 p.m. The governor says there are "constitutional¨ challenges regarding separation of
powers in setting up the Joint Commission on Public Ìntegrity, notes the Legislature has two
houses and so gets eight members while executive gets only six. "What if the Republicans team
up and attack the poor Democratic governor ÷ not that that would ever happen! (legislative
leaders shake their heads, murmur no, no, of course not ÷ ..we think this balance does the
best you can with those.¨

"Ìmperfect science¨ of trying to balance conflicting needs.Governor says it's "historic¨ (there's
that word again) that the executive and legislative branches are cooperating on an ethics
watchdog entity.

2:48 p.m. Cuomo side-steps question about giving the AG's office more powers to investigate
corruption ÷ something he sought when he was AG.

2:47 p.m. The governor reveals details of this bill were being worked out as recently as this
morning.insists the bill could be out as early as tomorrow. There is a bill? "Yes. You can get
it as soon as it comes out of drafting. We often announce agreements without a full written bill.
You have a bill memo that's quite extensive, and you'll have a full bill ÷ hopefully ÷ tomorrow.¨
Refuses to release the draft. Transparency in action.

"Ì can give you numerous examples of what we didn't agree to.¨ Cuomo says the bill is "finished¨
and "in drafting.¨

2:45 p.m. Cuomo on the late Friday press release, jokes it was so lawmakers could have the
weekend off, adding: "Sorry if we inconvenienced anyone¨ (in re: bad for the press).

2:44 p.m. Silver asked if he will have to change any business practices: "No. Not at all.¨ Cuomo
on whether rank-and-file lawmakers will have to not seek re-election because of the new
disclosure requirements: "Only one way to find out.¨

2:43 p.m. The governor says nothing here is watered down, even though the value of meals has
been clarified to let lawmakers accept minimal value food items and attend receptions: "To the
extent we've clarified those things, Ì think it's more intent with common sense, actually, but no,
nothing was loosened.¨

2:42 p.m. Cuomo explaining why this doesn't take effect immediately: This constitutes a "radical
departure on how people will conduct their lives and their professional business.you may,
depending on your circumstances, have to make significant changes on how you do your
business.to extent there's a period of time that allows people to adjust.¨ that's appropriate.

2:41 p.m. Governor says he's "cautiously optimistic¨ on gay marriage: "Ì think we're going to
pass marriage equality, and we're going to to it.¨

2:40 p.m. Clean Up Albany Act (on last Friday press reelase) vs. Public Ìntegrity Reform Act (bill
memo). A number of names for the bill, Cuomo explains, adding: "Ìt's whatever one it is today.
Until it gets to rewrite and then it will be a new one.¨

2:39 p.m. Cuomo explains why all the effort to make it hard to refer investigations on
lawmakers: We don't want to create a situation for a "partisan witch hunt¨.Bill memo today,
should have a bill as early as tomorrow.

2:37 p.m. Self-policing question from CapCon's Jimmy Vielkind.notes Legislative Ethics
Commission, which doesn't have the best track record, still has a role here. Cuomo says: "Ìt
is only for an ethical violation; a more serious violation, criminal violation, would be referred
directly¨ (to DAs).

2:36 p.m. Cuomo admits this is a loss of privacy for state employees, but he thinks
that's "justified¨ and "good¨.¨This is action, and this is progress, and we have talked about it for
many years, but these leaders have made it a reality.this goes a long way towards restoring
trust in government and giving the people of this state a government that they can believe in.¨
(Not so very long ago, Cuomo was threatening the Legislature with a Moreland Act Commission
is they didn't pass an ethics reform bill.what a difference an agreement makes¨).

2:34 p.m. Cuomo gently ribs the goo goos, says Skelos used the word "nudging¨, while "we
used stronger words.¨ He then thanks them for working so hard on this, and for "their work
over the years.¨ Then says: "Most of all Ì want to thank the leadership in both houses and the
membership in both houses.the expense is born by just one group, which is the members of
the Legislature and the executive.¨

2:32 p.m. Cuomo: "This is an historic piece of legislation.it's a word that's often overused in
Albany. Ì think it's actually justified today.¨ Announces "Project Sunlight Į̀ ÷ the first one was
created at the AG's office by former NYPÌRG legislative director Blair Horner. Cuomo says
bill "really does make a dramatic, dramatic difference.¨

2:31 p.m. Skelos notes the Senate GOP refused to go along with override of ex-Gov. David
Paterson's veto of last ethics bill, holding out for something "better.¨ Thanks Cuomo for his
leadership "on many occasions.¨

2:29 p.m. ÷ Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos thanks goo-goos for their "nudging¨.unlike
at the property tax cap press conference, he seems all in on this one, says agreement
signals "we've taken another step.in restoring the public's trust in their government, but it's not
the first step. Touts the on-time budget and the "conceptual agreement to cap property taxes ÷
an issue the Senate Republicans have championed for years.¨

Gubernatorial aide Jeremy Creelan, who worked on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's failed 2002
campaign for governor and then went on to work for the Brennan Center for Justice and
authored the infamous "most dysfunctional Legislature in the nation¨ report, kicks things off.
Seems a bit nervous. Ìntroduces Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver thanks Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his "persevearance and the
leadership that he has provided in bringing about this agreement.¨ Speaker speaks of people
who "stray from propriety¨ but says "overwhelming majority¨ of people in both houses are people
of integrity.

Shout-out for rent laws, property tax cap (!) and gay marriage before the end of session.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/ethics-reform-press-conference-liveblog/


Q PoII: 'CIean Sweep' For Cuomo - 6/1/11

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to enjoy higher-than-average job approval and
popularity ratings ÷ even among Republicans.

Sixty-four percent of New York voters like the fact that the governor regularly departs Albany
to take his message directly to the people. Fifty-two percent Cuomo has been sufficiently
accessible to the news media ÷ a feeling Ì'm willing to bet any amount of money that the
majority of LCAers don't share.

"There's not a single negative number for New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo,¨ said Q pollster
Mickey Carroll. "He even gets a positive score, almost 2-1, on that bugaboo that haunts
mostelected officials ÷ the budget.¨

"New Yorkers like him personally and they like his policies. Voters even say 40 ÷ 32 percent that
Gov. Cuomo has broken with Albany's time-honored decision making by 'three menin a room'
and opened up the process to other legislator.¨
Cuomo's popularity seems to be rubbing off a bit on his fellow Albany denizens.

Voters approve, 42-39, of the job their local Assembly member is doing and approve, 51-34,
of the job their state senator is doing. However, they still disapprove, 62-25, of the job the
Legislature is doing overall.

New Yorkers are in an approving mood, generally speaking. President Obama gets his highest
rating (60 percent) since February 2009, while Sen. Chuck Schumer is at 60 and Sen. Kirsten
Gillibrand is at 53 ÷ one point shy of her all-time Q poll high of 54 in Feburary.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/06/q-poll-clean-sweep-for-cuomo/


FIanagan: Gov Deserves A Raise - 5/23/11

Former veteran AP reporter-turned-NYSBA senior writer Marc Humbert got a nice scoop of an
interview with Senate Education Committee Chairman John Flanagan, who said he believes the
governor should be "the highest-paid public servant in the state¨ and wouldn't mind seeing his
salary double.

"Ì believe that the governor's salary should be raised. Ì do. Ì do,¨ the Long Ìsland Republican
said.

"Ì think what we should do is the mirroring of the type of commission we set up to look at judicial
compensation. You get a group of high-caliber talented people and do a review.¨

".He's the governor of the state of New York. He's the CEO of 19 million people..Ìt's not
unusual to fairly compensate someone at that level.¨

Cuomo, as you'll recall, took a 5 percent salary cut not long after he came into office and had
his top aides in the executive chamber do the same.

The topic came up in the context of a question on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed salary cap
for superintendents (which, come to think of it, we haven't really heard all that much about
lately).

Flanagan called the proposal "good theater¨ and admitted some of the salaries ÷ particularly on
Long Ìsland, where they tend to be highest ÷ are "absolutely¨ outrageous. But, he also noted
that those salaries are local decisions approved by school boards. (Ìnterestingly, he told me
during an early February CapTon interview that he was "open¨ to the idea of a salary cap).

The senator, who just took a pass on running for Suffolk County executive, has been floated as
a potential statewide contender for some time. Humbert asked if he has thought about running
for governor. He responded:

"Of course. Ì'd be a fool to say that Ì haven't. To me, being governor of the state of New York is
like playing for the New York Yankees. You want to do something big in government? That's the
job. Ìt is something that Ì clearly think about. Right now? Ì think Ì need to focus on the job that Ì
have. As corny as it sounds, Ì'm pretty damn lucky. Ì've had options and opportunities, and right
now Ì have a pretty good gig.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/flanagan-gov-deserves-a-raise/


Cuomo WiIIing To Bet On Tax Cap Passage - 5/16/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is so confident his 2 percent property tax cap will be passed by the
Legislature before the session ends that he's willing to bet on it ÷ and with reporters, to boot.

At the two-minute mark in this Q&A video (recorded after Cuomo's "People First¨ tour stop
at Hofstra University this morning), the governor is asked whether the Democrat-controlled
Assembly will eventually follow the Senate's lead and pass a cap bill, and he replies:

"Ì think at the end of the day, there will be a property tax cap passed. (Aside: Notice he doesn't
say "MY¨ property tax cap, but rather "A¨ property tax cap, interesting). You sound dubious.So,
why don't we make a side wager on this. You'll give me odds because it's been 15 years. You
want to give me two-to-one odds? What odds will you give me?¨

Ìn the end: No odds and no bet.

The governor goes on to discuss ÷ very broadly ÷ his soon-to-be-introduced (within days, he
says) Tier VÌ proposal, saying:

"We can't afford the public pension system we have in this state. Period. We just can't afford
it. The increase in public pensions has been astronomical. What is driving the taxes that we
were just talking about, one of the things is the public pension system. Ìt is unaffordable for local
governments. Ìt is unaffordable for the state government.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/cuomo-willing-to-bet-on-tax-cap-passage/


Rumors Of Jay Jacobs' Demise. - 5/15/11

.(political demise, that is), are greatly exaggerated, the state Democratic Party chairman
maintains.

The persistent chatter about Jay Jacobs imminent departure and replacement by his current
executive director, Charlie King, (hand-picked by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the 2010
campaign), has grown louder in advance of this week's state party meeting in Suffolk County.

A reader forwarded a Community Free Democrats newsletter in which state committeeman
Daniel Cohen writes the "word on the street¨ is that King will be taking Jacobs' place, adding:

"This has been much discussed but not confirmed for months, and, if true, at least it finally
resolves the leadership issue for the State Party.¨

Cohen goes on to note that he has known King since his CFD days, and postulates that it would
be "helpful¨ for Upper West Side Dems to have a connection to the party leadership. (Not that
they don't now, since King, an on-again/off-again Cuomo ally/opponent, is already pretty high up
the food chain).

Cuomo hasn't really done much with the party since he took office, although he used it to run
the coordinated campaign during the 2010 race, installing HTC political director Neal Kwatra
(now working for AG Eric Schneiderman as his chief of staff) to oversee that effort. Also, via
statements released by King and Jacobs, the party provided the governor with some backup
during the budget battle.

Ì reacher Jacobs this afternoon on his cell phone, and he informed me he has no plans to step
down this week, noting that if there were to be a resolution call on him to go, it would have had
to be placed in the 10-day notice, which it was not.

Jacobs, who was elected to a two-year term last fall, told me he spoke about a week and a half
ago with Team Cuomo and was asked to "continue doing this job for the time being.¨

As long as he would like me to be there and Ì can do the job, Ì'm happy to do it,¨ said Jacobs,
who is also still running the Nassau County Democratic Party. "The chair serves at (the
governor's) pleasure and at this moment in time, it seems to be that's what his pleasure is.¨
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/rumors-of-jay-jacobs-demise/


BIoomberg Praises Cuomo's 'ThoughtfuI' Teacher EvaIuation Approach - 5/13/11

Mayor Bloomberg just released a carefully-worded response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal
for revising the Board of Regents teacher evaluation standards ÷ an issue that has become
something of a sticking point as the mayor is threatening to fire thousands of NYC teachers and
pushing for the repeal of the last-in, first-out rule.

"Ìn order to ensure we have the best teachers in the classroom, we need a rigorous teacher
evaluation system,¨ Bloomberg said.

"The framework initially proposed by the State Board of Regents provides us a critical
opportunity to create a system that evaluates teacher performance based on multiple measures
of effectiveness ÷ including student outcomes. But that proposal did not go far enough.¨

"The thoughtful recommendations made today by Governor Cuomo will greatly improve the rigor
of these new evaluations, and Ì am heartened that the Regents agreed to adopt them. But it
will take the sustained commitment of all invested parties ÷ and perhaps most importantly, the
cooperation of the teachers union ÷ if we are to make this evaluation system a reality.¨

Recall that Bloomberg (who endorsed Cuomo in 2010) had a bit of a blowup with the governor
after the Senate passed his LÌFO bill and the governor responded by immediately putting out a
statement calling for a statewide teacher evaluation system.

The governor has said there should be "objective, fair criteria¨ for evaluating teachers that
doesn't "penalize seniority¨.

The two administrations have also been at odds over education funding cuts and the amount
of cash the city has in reserve. When Bloomberg introduced his budget, he blamed Albany and
Washington for the city's fiscal woes ÷ a line he has repeated often since then.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/bloomberg-praises-cuomos-thoughtful-teacher-
evaluation-approach/


DiNapoIi 2014 - 5/12/11

Six months after his first statewide election victory, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is already
preparing for his next go-round in 2014.

The comptroller's revamped 2010 campaign committee "DiNapoli 2014", is hosting a fundraiser
(Ì think his first major event since the elections last fall) next Thursday in Woodbury on Long
Ìsland. Tickets run from $100 per person (friend) to $1,000 (host).

The invite email reads:

"As Tom's friends and supporters, you know he has done so much in such a short time to
restore a sense of ethics, responsibility and sound fiscal thinking to Albany.¨

"Not only has the Comptroller's office identified hundreds of millions of dollars in waste and
abuse in the State, but he has also made the office more accountable and transparent with
monthly public reports and online records. Please show him you believe in his work and support
him on May 19th.¨
DiNapoli had just $23,476 in his campaign account as of mid-January.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has not only renamed his 2010 campaign committee, but also
already has "Cuomo 2014" swag, made it fairly clear last year that he was only lukewarm about
the idea of seeing DiNapoli elected to the post he was given by his former legislative colleagues
after the resignation of scandal-scarred former Comptroller Alan Hevesi.

Cuomo never endorsed DiNapoli, preferring to stay, as he put it, "officially neutral.¨

He did, however, clear him of any guilt in the pay-to-play pension fund scandal, robbing
Republican contender Harry Wilson of a significant campaign issue.

Wilson came just shy of defeating DiNapoli, and might have actually pulled off an upset had Carl
Paladino not been atop the GOP ticket. He hasn't formally ruled out another run, but he hasn't
ruled it in, either.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/dinapoli-2014/


SeIective Attendance - 5/10/11

Some updates to the ongoing storyline about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's low-profile approach, which
serves to elevate the appearances he does choose to make to a new level of importance.

As has been widely reported, the governor is heading to Central NY today for the first stop in his
statewide "People First¨ tour during which he will enlist the support of the public for his top three
post-budget agenda items: The property tax cap, ethics reform and the legalization of same-sex
marriage.

Cuomo opted for his noon appearance at Onondaga Community College over the annual
memorial ceremony to honor law enforcement officers from across the state who have died,
including two who were killed in the line of duty in 2010. All told, 15 names will be added to
the memorial on the Empire State Plaza, the bulk of those (nine) died of Ground Zero-related
illnesses since 2008.

This event has been a tradition for governors dating back to as long as Ì can remember (and
that would be former Gov. George Pataki's tenure; he attended every year). Former Govs. Eliot
Spitzer and David Paterson also made a point to go.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has also made it a point to attend this event. He will be there
today and is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m., according to his press office.

Cuomo's decision to remain behind closed doors yesterday and send LG Bob Duffy to reassure
attendees at ESPA's annual lobby day that the administration remains firmly committed to trying
to push the marriage bill (when there is one) through the Senate did not go unnoticed.

The governor's absence from yesterday morning's announcement by US Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood that New York had won $354.4 million of the $2 billion high-speed rail
funding returned to the Obama administration by Florida was also remarked on by officials who
attended the event, according to a source who was present.

There was "surprise¨ among the federal attendees that Cuomo took a pass on the LaHood
appearance, said the source, he noted: "He asked for the money.¨ (Actually, he asked for $517
million to fund eight projects; what he ended up with will be enough to pay for three of those).

Ì emailed Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto to ask why Cuomo didn't join LaHood, but never
received a response. The governor was working at the Capitol yesterday, and did meet with
LGBT officials for a closed-door strategy session along with his point-man on gay marriage,
Steve Cohen.

DN columnist Bill Hammond has a smart piece this morning about Cuomo's eschewing of the
spotlight since he took office in January.

The upshot: Cuomo, who was tripped up in 2002 by his "hold the coat¨ remark regarding
Pataki's post-9/11 leadership, has learned that the less you say in public, the less chance there
is for screwing up.

NOTE: A Cuomo aide pointed out that the DOT commissioner was present at the LaHood
event and Duffy is again surrogating at the police memorial. Ìn response, Ì pointed out that
sending a representative doesn't send the same message as the governor putting in a personal
appearance.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/05/selective-attendance/


Cuomo Vetoes Phantom Member Items (Updated) - 4/12/11

A reader flagged the fact that Gov. Andrew Cuomo quietly signed 22 line-item vetoes of the
budget deal he struck with the Legislature earlier this month.

A Budget Division spokesman confirmed the vetoes, informing me that 16 of them are
for "reappropriated member items that didn't actually exist¨ worth some $6.7 million.

Curious. Here's how Ì understand this: The 2011-2012 budget deal did not include any new
member items, but did contain about $136 million worth of pork-barrel spending that was
appropriated in years past but hasn't yet gone out the door.

Last year, as you'll recall, Gov. David Paterson vetoed about 6,900 worth of member item
grants ÷ painstakingly putting his signature to each and every one. Somehow, 16 of those
vetoed member items found their way into the budget bills passed by the Legislature just shy of
the April 1 deadline.

As a rule, the governor does not include member items in his executive budget proposal.
Ìnstead, it falls to the Legislature to add them in. So, does the administration think state
lawmakers were trying to slip something by them here?

No, Ì was told. This was characterized to me as "fairly inconsequential technical clean-up items¨
that had to be vetoed because "nothing existed to be reappropriated.¨ Make of that what you
will.

UPDATE: Apparently, not all of those vetoes were benign. Ì just received a press release from
legal services and housing counseling providers decrying the governor's nixing of $1.5 million to
fund foreclosure prevention services.

According to this release, the money "was put in the budget by the Assembly Majority in a last
ditch effort to keep the program alive through the end of the state fiscal year.¨ Note of irony:
Cuomo has a long-standing background as a housing advocate and also served as HUD
secretary in the Clinton administration.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/04/cuomo-vetoes-phantom-member-items/


Cuomo: My First 100 Days 'Good' For NY - 4/8/11

Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave himself a pat on the back for his performance during his first 100
days in office, saying having him at the helm has been "good¨ for the state.

Cuomo marveled at the amount he's been able to accomplish in such a short period of time,
joking during an interview with Susan Arbetter on "The Capitol Pressroom¨ that he feels like he's
actually been on the job a lot longer than just over three months.
Ì feel like it's been a lot longer than 100 days.Ì think if you count the hours rather than the days
it's been years of service,¨ the governor said.

".Ìf Ì had told you 100 days ago: Well, the New York State Legislature is going to pass this
budget on time, Ì think there'd be significant disbelief. And it was a good budget, an honest
budget, a clean budget. Ìt's not a gimmick-laden budget. We didn't punt the difficult issues.¨

The governor said he will be focusing in the coming weeks on "performance¨ in both
government and education (he said this in response to a question about the property tax cap).

He went back on the attack against school districts, saying they've focused maining on growing
the "front office¨ in recent years, increasing the number of teachers and administrators even
while student enrollment has dropped by 6 percent overall.

Cuomo insisted he's open to discussion and negotiation on the property tax cap, seeming to
suggest (yet again) that both the 2 percent mark and the number of exemptions are on the
table.

"Ì'm not saying it's my way or the highway,¨ the governor said. "That would be unintelligent. That
would be rigid. That would be counterproductive.¨

However, he sent out mixed messages on this particular topic, noting several times that his
proposal was endorsed by the people ÷ through last year's election and in subsequent public
opinion polls.

(Ì'm not so sure about that poll thing, though. The questions on a tax cap are pretty general and
don't usually go into specifics about what ÷ if anything ÷ should be exempted or how high the
cap should be).
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/04/cuomo-my-first-100-days-good-for-ny/


Cuomo UnveiIs New Parking PIacard PoIicies (Updated) - 4/7/11 ExampIe of Poor
Reporting/Inadequate fact-checking before distribution

The Cuomo administration is dramatically reducing the number of state-issued police and
executive branch parking placards following an investigation by Ìnspector General Ellen Biben
that found they are widely misused by officials and pols.

"Government issued parking placards are meant to be used by state employees when they are
doing official business,¨ Cuomo said in a press release.

"Under my administration, abuses of government powers will be stopped and those responsible
will be held accountable. Ì applaud Ìnspector General Biben for her review of the distribution and
use of parking placards, and for her recommendations reforming the system to hold those who
have placards responsible for their actions.¨

The number of police placards distributed will be slashed by more than 84 percent from 1,730 to
261 by limiting recipients only to law enforcement personnel. They will only be issued to officials
with statutory police powers and will only be distributed only by the State Police.

All placards marked "police¨ are being recalled by the administration so they can be
redistributed under the new rules, and the State Police will handle that distribution.

UPDATE: Based on the comments section, Ì revisited the press release, which, as you can see,
is a bit confusing, and updated the numbers in this post.

The total number of placards distributed to executive agencies and the Legislature is being
reduced from 2,210 to 1,993. Those without police powers will only be given a placard
marked "official business.¨

Ìn addition, new policies have been established for members of the executive and legislative
branches who seek a placard. Chief among the changes: Applicants will have to explain in
writing why they need a placard and what vehicle it is intended for.

Any employee who misuses a placard could face disciplinary action.
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/04/cuomo-unveils-new-placard-policies/