How can anyone who is not a lobbyist or in line to take financial advantage of the people of the State of New York, even think of voting for that whining Cuomo who has pretty much failed at everything he has touched. How are the subways doing? They are so lousy that they driven people to use Uber-like modes of transportation as an alternative thereby clogging the streets. The Buffalo billion is a Buffalo bust. How are the new casinos doing?
Look at how he caused the mortgage and housing crises of the last decade when he headed up HUD.
https://www.villagevoice.com/2008/08/05/andrew-cuomo-and-fannie-and-fred...
What has he ever done right?
23
Thanks for the article. I am interested in the outcome of the federal investigation that I read is ongoing in the possible "pay to play" between Cuomo and Crystal Run Healthcare located in the Hudson Valley.It was reported that the governor received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from executives related to Crystal Run Healthcare and Crystal Run Healthcare received millions in grants.
10
Governor Cuomo has gotten away with his corruptions because he is a closet Republican using the Democratic social agenda to further his own political aspirations. Only in New York would a bunch of Democrats be allowed to vote with Republicans. Only in New York would a corrupt official as close to the Governor as Mr. Kaloyeros be convicted without the Governor being seriously damaged and only in New York would a Commission set up by the Governor to investigate corruption be shut down when it gets too close to the top.
Sorry, my mistake. It's not only in New York - it's in Washington D.C. and everywhere else big money taints our elections.
16
For all the talk of Howe being a deranged crook with no connection to the Cuomo camp, he sure was smooth talking and appeared to have a solid connection with Malatras.
Malatras was a big shot in Cuomo's administration.
Given these emails, it is a no brainer that Howe was a valued insider.
Again... Howe was obviously a valued Cuomo insider.
7
It remains baffling why cycle after cycle, decade after decade, NY has such dreadful -- and clearly, openly corrupt -- public officials in the highest positions of authority.
I've been a 'student' of NY, city and to some extent, state, for the last 17 or so years, as even though don't live there, some municipal and state-level decisions made there have affected our family personally.
Also due to our now 'forever' relationship with Manhattan in particular, and NY overall, I care what happens in NY, to NY, and for NY'ers. So, again, from Mayor to Governor, and all the spots in between, why, why, why keep voting in all these terrible people?
~ 9/11 family member
24
Andrew Cuomo worked better as a concept.
7
I know Greenberg et al. Not a super ethical firm. Not good look for a legal advisor to a public servent.
3
This must be what Cuomo had in mind when he said that America was "never that great."
19
Reagan a movie TV actor, Trump a TV actor and Nixon a TV actor ,ah! no Thank you.
1
Oh come on,
We knew he was dirty as soon as he pulled the plug on the Moreland Commission.
Makes me no never mind, I was gonna vote for Cynthia Nixon anyway.
28
Party aside... we have a shortage of integrity and morals at every level...
17
Such a public records request and follow-up article could never have happened in Maryland because, although Maryland has a public records law, it doesn't have an email retention law, so executive branch officials can simply delete potentially embarrassing emails.
Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan would rather swim in shark infested waters than allow the legislature to pass an executive branch email retention bill. After the Clinton email fiasco, bills were introduced in two successive sessions of the Maryland General Assembly to prevent executive branch destruction of emails. Much to the Governor's satisfaction, they didn't pass.
7
Andrew the Untouchable should know that I intend to end my streak of voting Democratic since 1972 at the very first opportunity. As a matter of fact, the Democratic Party should know that I, and I hope many others, have had enough of their lying, cheating, and stealing. Enough is finally enough.
18
This is what is so funny in a weird way about the whole Paul Manafort business, he is not the only over-paid lobbyist, by a long shot. Especially in Washington, D.C., this is a common practice, what happened to Podesta? Who he was working with, and as far as tax evasion, and money laundering, please, Manafort got caught and Mueller is jealous.
1
Ah yes...I expect to have a repeating nightmare for the foreseeable future. In 2020 the Presidential Election will be Trump vs Cuomo. The very definition of “The Hold Your Nose” election.
That nightmare could really come to reality unless Cuomo is beaten by Cynthia Nixon on primary day this year. Then perhaps we might have a chance to right New York State and then America itself.
I have the right to hope (improbable as it may be!)
15
oh, it’s so shocking that a Democrat was lobbied. Get real folks. Lobbying is a fact of government, whether it is local, state or federal. In the absence of publicly funded campaigns, candidates need money. Donors who have deep pockets have an agenda. Lobbyists are the go-betweens. No politician is clean, and never can be. You aren’t going to get elected to anything with $5 donations from the grass roots.
8
We know that “Federalism” is a sensitive and subtle issue, but the Federal government has prosecuted state entities under the “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act” (FICO). If the evidence is as clear as this article indicates, isn’t it about time that Attorney General Jeff Sessions look into this? Why should the Governor’s Mansion be exempt from defending itself from charges of corruption?
2
This is exactly why all IDA's (Industrial Development Agencies) should be eliminated in the entire state. Made illegal. They funnel taxpayer money into the hands of private developers, with little or no oversight. Making amazing promises, they end up with a very nice PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) deal for 10 years or so and they're off to the races. Government should not be financing private development, business should be able to succeed on it's own, or not.
As a private citizen, I would love for some town to encourage me to move there by subsidizing the purchase of my house, then let me pay a paltry sum each year instead of my tax bill. Let me have this juicy set-up for about ten years, just like the big guys. As it expires, I'll move on to some better deal, just like the big guys.
I'm an outstanding citizen, buy lots of stuff, and I'm real nice to everybody. I hire people to fix things around my house and replace my roof or furnace when necessary. Won't you pay me to live near you?
Sounds absurd, doesn't it? But local, county, and state governments do this for private businesses all the time. As the article states, the temptation for fraud is too great, let's end this charade.
37
@Jerry, a perfectly apt comparison that demonstrates how America works: socialism for the rich, and capitalism for the rest of us.
5
For the first time in a long time I will vote Republican to avoid one party rule in Albany.
22
@Bernie Take a look at Cynthia Nixon's platform before doing that and try not to penalize her for being a celebrity. I've seen her speak and she is legit. I know she is a long shot, but I am hoping that my fellow NYC dwellers will pull a miracle and get her the nomination. If not, I will hold my nose and vote for this crook, because I can't bear to see a red governor in our state.
5
@VVV03
Roger that !
Trump has been tried, convicted and sentanced on these pages for much much less, But no matter Cuomo will be Endorsed by this very Paper because he plays for the "Right" Team
27
@Raymond L
Like many non-New Yorkers who come to Manhattan frequently, I find Andrew Cuomo to be a braggart and a big-mouthed bully. Comparing Cuomo to Donald Trump, however, is absurd.
Governors of large states are forced these days to offer tax incentives to private companies to expand or re-locate in their states. The political party of the particular governor is irrelevant. All governors do it because their states are in competition with other states.
This political reality is not pretty, but there is no evidence that Governor Cuomo lined his own pockets, as Donald Trump has done. I'm sure the NYT would be all over Cuomo, if he missed a step.
2
@Raymond L
The 'left' team to be precise
1
@sdw
Puhleeze. No evidence? There are so many indications and flashing signs it's ridiculous.
For one, the timing of so many grants and other monetary awards that took place shortly after a donation was made to Cuomo's campaign.
I forget which outlet listed them, but it was a real eye opener.
Ever wonder how solid blue states get Republican governors? I'm no longer a resident, but i suspect that (like i did in Mass) I'd be ticking the red box for governor. Then again, chances are you'd just get a Christie. Seems the proles just can't win.
10
Can we jail this Democrat for corruption already?
Except that would open the door to Cinthia Nixon.
I am not too sure which option is worse.
11
@Shark What's your problem with Cynthia Nixon? The deteriorating condition of our mass transit system is among the most pressing issues city residents face, and Cuomo's record of indifference to this -- until challenged by Nixon -- is hard to ignore.
7
Shark--Of course, Cynthia Nixon is the better option. Cuomo has always been a Republican-lite, and Republicans usually don't do very well in NY.
9
@heyblondie
Back when i was a resident, NY State was a whole lot more than just NYC. I guess either the state shrunk, or else the city must have cannibalized the entire state since then.
It's not just Cuomo. Why would anyone want to be a member of the NYS Senate or Assembly if not to derive the majority of their income from kickbacks and bribes? Everyone in Albany from Cuomo on down is owned by NYC's real estate cabal and so you have decisions that affect NYC and NYC alone being affected by payouts, amounting often to peanuts, to politicians from Troy and Ithica.
There is a sad irony in the fact that the welfare of millions is determined by whether some political hack gets a new kitchen, while in any other decent corrupt country they would get 10% right off the top. These boneheads can't even graft correctly.
16
stan continople--The same is true of the Congress of the United States of America. Most politicians go there to get rich.
7
America is only great when Cuomo is getting campaign cash through pay-to-play schemes.
16
Robert--I seem to remember saying that America has never been great, but it could be, in response to Cuomo's insistence that it is, last week. Follow the money, and vote for uncorrupted candidates, i.e. those who don;t take corporate, or wealthy individual, money. Until we legislate publicly funded political campaigns, and pull the brakes on lobbying, this stuff will only become more frequent.
5
I am profoundly saddened by the overwhelming ... help me here; can't pull the right word ... belief that being elected to some public office grants you the right, no, the obligation (seemingly) to steal from the public trust.
Disgusting. General Washington rolls in his dire grave. Forgive us, sir. We cast the vote. certeris paribus, caveat emptor.
I honor and respect the lowly civil servant or unionized ditch-digger who works, honestly, at the lowest wage (gov't should be run like a bidness, etc.) in the public interest doing the wretched work nobody like Kalyeros would ever dream of doing. Everyday. Then, may lose his or her job(s).
Ever notice how Kalyeros used to always be in the papers (Alb Times Union, NYT, etc) and never accomplished anything? As a SUNY director. For over $600k dollars US (2015) every year - plus. And, wanted more than Chancellor Zimpfx. It's not hubris. I wonder if he was a nexivm (Raniere) trainee ....
And, as a NYS taxpayer, I want my money back.
13
Cuomo’s Office Hobbled Ethics Inquiries by Moreland Commission
15
Anyone who thinks Cuomo is a liberal or progressive has not been paying attention to his revenue shifting that has hurt individuals and benefited rich corporations. He has cut corporate taxes at the expense of schools, residential property owners, and the poorest New Yorkers.
He's moved more and more state expenses like Medicaid and pension expenses to upstate counties so that property taxes have ballooned (for which Cuomo wrongly blames counties). His army of state police, who are little more than ticket writers, now generate tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue from the poorest New Yorkers for traffic infractions, like noisy mufflers or out-of-date inspections, that 10 years ago would have been reduced to $0 with proof it has been fixed. Not under Cuomo, who wants the state assessment that is attached to every ticket. And there is Cuomo's "annual assessment" that must be paid - even after all tickets have been paid -- by motorists with more than 3 points on their licenses. Last year the Assembly rejected a Cuomo proposal that would eliminate all plea bargains in traffic court (because he wants bigger fines), but you can bet Cuomo will try again next year. Many rural New Yorkers who depend on a car have lost their licenses because they cannot afford the huge fines on minor traffic infractions. All thanks to Cuomo.
24
Corruption thy name is Cuomo! As a recent refugee from New York and a retired SUNY professor, the corruption is enough for evryone to vote for Cynthia Nixon. What most people don't know is the Cuomo administration has consistently cut funding for the SUNY system while cutting deals with private entrepreneurs that robbed it of the funds. Now we know why he suddenly canceled the Moreland commision. Like another New Yorker, he needed to put an end to the "witch hunt" before he was caught.
44
A fascinating and discouraging look into Albany deals that to almost anyone reading those email looks like payoffs to crooks. Howe is quite a character....
10
One story not widely publicized is the one from a few years ago concerning the famed "Maid of the Mist" boat ride in Niagara Falls and its owners, The Glynn Family (Cuomo campaign contributors)whom through payoffs and corruption on both sides of the border were able to continue operating for over 30 yrs. without a regular bidding process.
The story is long and convoluted, yet, for anyone that is interested it can be found in the archives of The Niagara Falls Reporter and/or other local newspapers. When it finally came to bid again the Glynn family failed in their attempt yet, somehow because of their connections, they were able to circumvent the long standing terms of the existing contract and maintain their operation(but only on the U.S. side).
It should be noted, that this "accommodation" to the Glynn Family, disregarding the terms of the new contract and new service provider(Hornblower Tours), the LOSS of $100 MILLION DOLLARS to the taxpayers of New York.
21
I am Shocked Shocked!
But then again Cuomo was never a great governor.
17
@Rob He's a legend in his own mind.
4
Yes, Cuomo and the party of envelope passing cronies " were never great ".
14
This sounds like an episode straight out of Boardwalk Empire. As a fellow Democrat, I find this type of conduct embarrassing and disgraceful. We of all people should know better.
20
They're all products of the system that sustains them. Cuomo is dirty, Nixon has no experience and stares down the barrel of the establishment.
The better way is for federal election reform where all campaigns must be publicly funded. No private donations - corporate, org or otherwise. Watch how fast good people come back to be public servants.
Problem is most democrats don't want this either.
I don't understand why this would not be an issue that unites both sides. You don't need to share philosophy to agree that people's voices are not heard - only PACs, corps, and the wealthy set the agenda.
16
Doesn't it get tiring? I continue to remember a line in a NYT Afghanistan article about two years ago, a quote from someone on the scene. "The system isn't corrupt. Corruption is the system."
26
@uga mugs
Good point. I'll never forget an Afghan man saying in a report pre 911 that the reason he supported the Taliban was they would rid the country of corruption.
1
One more hard hitting report in the NYT of the corruption that passes for politics in Albany. It will be interesting to see how the Editorial Board finesses yet another endorsement for Cuomo as Governor.
35
@CarpeDeam
They have it written already. They are only waiting to see which name to insert, Cuomo or Nixon.
Otherwise it is already ready for publishing
3
Should of deleted them...just sayin
1
There should be a law: if someone communicates with the office of a public official via any of that official's aides, then it is, legally, a communication with that official. It's far to easy for people like Cuomo and Christie to claim ignorance simply by keeping their names out of these correspondences.
5
Governor Cuomo continues to demonstrate his is not worthy of the people of New York State. We have heard about the corruption and pay-to-play environment he has fostered in Albany for years, but this summer has brought an onslaught of proof that no press secretary can possibly spin into anything palatable. It's a disgrace.
I was entirely skeptical of political novice Cynthia Nixon. I groaned when she entered the race as a celebrity "activist." No more. She has my full support. If she can make even a small dent at cleaning up Cuomo's den of thieves in Albany, if her election sends some sort of message to politicians who operate this way, and if she ends Cuomo's misplaced national ambitions, then she will have done New York State residents a tremendous service.
35
@Solaris
I would also discount any candidate endorsed by Cuomo. Where Cuomo goes, so goes corruption. They will rubber stamp anything that he says.
7
It would be very helpful to the public discourse if the NYTimes could explain how massive public works projects should be managed, funded, and overseen by compoetent government. A good example which I'm familiar with was a $2 billion expansion of the SF Airport. The Airport, which is separate from State and City government appointed a respected retired airport manager to follow the whole process, from the selection of architects, engineers, and contractors through construction to commissioning - making sure the new and expanded facilities actually worked as they were intended. The government had seasoned, very knowledgeable professionals overseeing the entire process and approving every penny. There are similar processes for University of California projects, including new campuses. Large scale construction is always "political." The public and paid lobbyists buzz around these projects and their huge budgets like yellow jackets after fresh barbecue.
10
I'm writing in Preet Bharara for Governor, he has experience, he's honest and knows the law, something Cuomo and Nixon don't' apparently. I don't want a newbie running NY State this is not the time for on the job training, look to POTUS for proof. Nixon should have started at the bottom and earned her wings to try for the top job. She is not qualified for the job.
13
@Margo Channing Since Mr. Bharara has absolutely no chance of winning, you are throwing your vote away.
I agree that Ms. Nixon is completely unqualified, and I believe is way too "progressive" to be good for New York. And I also agree that Cuomo should be replaced. So who is left?..... the Republican candidate, Marc Molinaro, but I don't like some of what I've read about him. As usual, I'll be voting for the least worst candidate.
5
Ms. Nixon may not be AS qualified, but worry not, this state is poised to reelect the current governor.
3
@Margo Channing Why waste your vote? The message to send at the ballot box is change (Nixon) and send Cuomo into retirement.
5
The state motto should always have been "Pay To Play", and the Governor's Mansion should have an "Open For Business" banner across the entrance. It is amazing that 40% of us turn out to vote . What a waste of time and taxpayer's money.
24
"My ethics were never that great."
20
Cuomo your party awaits you, seated at the table are Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos. Are we at all surprised at this? Two words Andy: Moreland Commission.
18
And at the end of the day, he is going to win and win bring.
Why can't people wrap their heads around this ??
Is it so hard to connect the dots with this goon
5
@David
Many New Yorker's are not as smart as they think and will vote this liar and crook in Chief back in office. Then complain about it afterwards. Fools.
8
If you want to reduce corruption in government, reduce the influence of government. As long as governments can choose winners and losers there will be pressure for "donations" if you don't want to be on the losing side.
18
@J. Waddell
Your last sentence just confirmed the solution to the problem. Government can be accountable(and effective) to their constituents IF, they could only receive donations from those constituents, NOT large corporate donors and lobbyists whom they ultimately have to answer to.
Those candidates are out there now, in droves.
7
I can think of no politician who is more inept, detestable and incompetent than Andrew Cuomo. The subways, for which he is responsible, stink, the streets are crowded with Uber-like vehicles used by people seeking viable alternatives, his Buffalo initiative is an expensive bust, and look at the horrible job he did when he headed HUD where practically, single-handedly caused the mortgage and housing crises of the last decade.
https://www.villagevoice.com/2008/08/05/andrew-cuomo-and-fannie-and-fred...
How are the new casinos doing?
Now this where it appears that virtually everyone who works with him is corrupt and about to land in jail.
This whining miscreant has had the job of governor for almost 8 years. How are we better off now? The man has not ever done anything right.
I went to a Cynthia Nixon rally last week just to hear what's going on. I disagreed with almost everything she said but I will vote for her in the primary just to get rid of this guy.
It's as simple as ABC - Anybody But Cuomo!
45
@MIKEinNYC
Some of THE highest taxes in the country this is what Cuomo has to show for himself. Keep making deals for his top donors though and giving them continued tax breaks for jobs that don't exist. Putting up road signs at a cost of $ 80,000,000.00 to NYS taxpayers that now have to be taken down all paid for by taxpayers. Thank you Andrew.
10
In "Empty Suit Andy's" house, every suit wearing gangster and criminal has entre.
8
We have a lying, cheating, criminal in the White House and an apprentice liar and cheat as Governor of New York---who is hoping to become the liar-in-chief one day. Both parties serve the financial needs of their biggest donors at the expense of all other citizens. The GOP is obviously worse, but that is a very small comfort. Doesn't this help us understand why so many thinking voters have trouble trusting the leadership of both major parties?
28
@James
One thing Andrew Cuomo is NOT is an apprentice. He's a full fledged Liar since his days at HUD. He's made it into an art. He's passed with flying colors
8
If Cuomo was a Republican there would be no end to the outrage and and non stop coverage. What a double standard.
43
New York and New Jersey’s state governments are so disappointing and corrupt
This needs more coverage please
I really don’t think any incumbents should remain
Awful!!
23
hackery, hackery, all is hackery.
5
Love Howe trying to get contractors paid while in his private life he stiffed them and ripped them off at every turn.
A con artist covering for a bully governor.
15
The corruption and plundering of every institution in the nation and the states, from top to down to the most local, by those supposedly administering them for the public benefit of the voters and their families has been going on for decades now. No side is clean. It's only the degree of the corruption and plundering that distinguishes them -- Rethugs and Donkeys -- and barely, from each other. Of course the greatest corrupt plunderer and liar of them all sits in the Oval Office at the moment.
10
It strains credulity -- implausible deniability, if you will -- for Gov. QuidProCuomo, a notorious micromanager, to contend that he knew nothing of the corruption swirling around him among political and personal intimates who are now convicted felons.
His abrupt pulling of the plug on the anti-corruption Moreland Commission was no accident, and if New York voters choose to extend his reign from eight years to 12, they have only themselves to blame for the inevitable pay-to-play scandals that follow.
78
@Dotconnector
NY State voters aren't as smart as they think they are. Cuomo is a professional and knows about everything that goes on. He's had many people fooled for years. We knew about his dealings with HUD to know what kind of person Andrew truly is. Time for you to go Andy.
3
He pulled the plug on the Moreland commission because the targets of the commission and their allies told Mr. Cuomo I’m no uncertain terms that if he didn’t shut it down, he would never get another budget through either chamber. It’s a story the press has never gotten ahold of, surprisingly. Just look at the “retirements” that happened right around that time: some of the people were shoved overboard, some stayed. People have no idea the battles this guy has fought (Cuomo).
1
Uh-oh, now you did it. Now Cuomo will join Trump in denouncing fake news published by the Times.
15
Cuomo's financial mismanagement is hard to beat
From the NY Times , 2 month ago, headline:
New York Spent $15 Million to Build a Film Hub. It Just Sold for $1.
Key Sentence
"The flop of the Central New York Film Hub, built by frequent and generous donors to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo who are facing federal corruption charges, had been presaged almost since its announcement in 2014."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/nyregion/new-york-film-hub-sale.html
38
I think that Ms Nixon just won the election.
11
@K.Walker
Don't count on it. I was once a NY resident, their tolerance for corruption is very, very high. Handwringing and lip service notwithstanding.
1
Oh for God sakes, Cuomo is rotting from the head down.
Cynthia Nixon please. Is it really so hard to vote for a progressive
who will not take dark money and do dark deeds? And will have the freedom to actually look out for us regular folks?
65
@cheerful dramatist
A dark deed that ms .Nixon will do is kill out multi billion dollar TV & Film business as she has stated she will take away NYS tax benefits for NYC producers and I am not being dramatic nor cheerful at that premise .
@Carlyle T. Please give me proof
@Carlyle T.
Ok got it, Nice try to smear Cynthia.
She wants to cut out corporate Welfare for big companies producing films here which does nothing for the NY economy. Giving these tax benefits to these large corporations is the same as cutting taxes for the one percent and corporations and not closing corporation loopholes. Nothing ever trickles down, you are supporting GOP economics, you know the kind where politicians are bribed to get more money for the rich by squeezing the working class and cutting funding on education and safety nets and keeping wages low. Cynthia wisely does not want to support that corruption.
No doubt The Times will not endorse Cynthia Nixon to get rid of the cesspool in Albany because she is "inexperienced". Cuomo of course is very experienced in greed, deception and letting rich and connected people control key elements of his administration but God forbid we should support anyone without "experience"
77
If Cuomo didn't know about all the corruption under his nose in Albany, then he is either stupid or a liar. Since he seems to be a hands-on type of executive, I think he is a liar. In either case he is not worthy of a third term in office.
52
When is Cuomo himself going to be called to account for all of the corruption that surrounds him and his inner circle. Cuomo is quick to blame Trump as guilty by association, yet he seems to believe that same standard does not apply to him. I will trust Albany politicians when they set up another Moreland type commission to investigate Cuomo and his pals. The same type of commission that Cuomo unilaterally shut down when it got too close to looking at his own actions.
71
Do the emails contain any info on alleged bribes to shut down Indian Point, and award $100 million in fossil-fuel electricity contracts to Competitive Power Ventures? Preet Bharara was in the midst of a federal probe when Trump, guided by Rex Tillerson, pulled the plug on his prosecutorial career.
Or maybe, Cuomo really believes Indian Point’s 2 billion watts of carbon-free electricity can be replaced by a mix of solar, wind, and hamster wheels. Maybe this time, we shouldn’t follow the money.
30
One gets the sinking feeling sometimes that Cuomo is more than a little like Trump, but that he has a polish and subtlety which allows him to better hide his deviousness.
58
So, Mr. Howe and other well-connected friends and very special friends of Mr.Cuomo got him to authorize multi-million dollar expenditures, even if they were of questionable value. Maybe the MTA and its subsidiary, NYC public transit, should have a line in their budget to hire or pay off some corrupt Cuomo cronies - it just might help to unfreeze state funds and get our subways fixed! Hey, it worked upstate.
20
Writing from Seattle, this sure sounds like the corruption-dominated Northeast and especially the New York of old. How can Cuomo think that he has any chance at national office? First, there's the issue of paying lawyers, lawyers who contributed his campaign, $250,000 to try to fend off the press. Then's there's the minor issue of big rigging on a three-quarter billion project that is part of a failed economic strategy. Then there's the issue of Cuomo's continuing resistance to reforming Albany. How does this guy not stand for "The Swamp" that Trump ran against? If we're going to replace the Republicans in Washington, and especially Trump in the White House, we need elected officials who are clean, effective, and forthright in their actions.
95
Two nuggets from the emails are revealing; that the whole game is optics and the job of Trustee is to carry the administration’s water (rather than act as fiduciary).
The first conveys the administration’s deep cynicism. The public good does not matter, what matters is retaining and increasing power.
The second conveys the falsity of the claims of ignorance. Trustees are there not to exercise judgment but to toe the line.
The administration has done nothing to change the system because it has mastered the system, or think it has. How much public confidence is left in our state government?
The administration rationalizes its actions for the good it does. That is for the voters to judge. The economic record seems weak, the services record (transportation and school) seems weak and governance, judged from the standpoint of power grabs in the city and corruption, also seems weak.
13
Here you see the reason for voting for Cynthia Nixon. She will work hard to eliminate the corruption. Remember, A new broom sweeps clean.
105
@dbsweden Really? What about that "new broom," Cuomo, in 2010?
3
@dbsweden
Cynthia Nixon is not suited for this huge job. NY needs someone with State and Fed. bureau experience. Cuomo has made some mistakes, but if we appoint people like Ms Nixon to that position, the huge infrastructure tasks ahead will be postponed again without the experience of a seasoned executive.
NY doesn't have time for this kind of on the job training.
3
@Steve Crouse Cuomo's experience and expertise are on display in the form of the subway system. Nixon has no experience and I disagree with most of what she says but maybe honesty is now the most important quality that the public seeks in our politicians, on the left and the right. She just might change the culture in Albany.
Why should taxpayers foot the bill for this legal defense? Cuomo should reimburse the state
88
@Gaurav
Cuomo should retire not reimburse the state.
8
@Gaurav Cuomo should retire AND reimburse the taxpayers of NYS (aka us). Unfortunately, Mr. Cuomo appears to have glued himself to the governor's chair, and would have to be surgically removed from it. A vote for his challenger in the primary, Ms. Nixon, might well be the solvent that weakens and possibly dissolve this bond. Last, but not least, the endorsement by the NYTimes of the anti-corruption expert and crusader Zephyr Teachout for attorney general appears to be a (late) recognition that she would have been the better governor for our state over the last four years. Regardless of past missed chances, Ms. Teachout appears to be the powerful cleaner that Albany is in dire need of.
45
@Gaurav, your comment addresses the central issue the article presents.
1