Why is Albany still a cesspool of corruption? Do we have to start voting Republican to get their attention?
10
Corrupt Cuomo illustrates perfectly why young voters are turning to Socialism.
It is impossible to reform a system that produces "liberals" like Governor Andy.
The whole rotten system must be thrown out & replaced with one that serves the people, not the money interests . . . .
17
@Red Allover Tuvarich! When in Moscow do as the Moscovites do. Da nyet?
Progressive White Power tolls must use millennial socialist threat as battering ram for "liberals" who can get things done and make big threat to GOP Menshevik.
The Democrat party needs new tent. Clowns are out of control, elephants are stampeding and the high-wire has no safety net. Nyet.
Let us all make prayer now to Gods of Money...
The more things change, the more they stay the same.......
4
You gotta love New York Democrats. We keep voting for them. Now that the Republicans are all but extinct in New York, it will be fun to watch the Democrats tear each other apart. From the inexperienced idiots to the experienced hypocrites and liars.
16
Seems like all involved are hypocrites. Guess we now know why citizens united was never overturned by Congress, who have the power to take money out of politics. I know understand why those in government become millionaires over night. This was NOT what was envisioned when our country started; representatives had jobs and when Congress wasn't in session, they went home to work those jobs. Today's government representatives have one job - make more money by taking from lobbyists and holding extravagant 'fund-raisers' to enhance both their power and pocket books.
I believe we are at the point where not only term limits must be applied, but that no one working at the local, state, county levels as well as in Congress should be admitted unless they prove they have an actual job that supports them, outside of the government.
12
@Ma
When our country started the rich landowners had control of government . None fought in the Revolutionary war except Washington. It was the poor and immigrants that bore the brunt of battle. We need to stop making the true history so patriotic. MONEY always ruled.
8
While the political issue has merits, the immediate question is why the governor continues to employ staff who engages publicly in vulgar name calling. But of course I am reminded that New York is the land of Trump.
9
The claim by Richard Azzopardi that big money contributions do not buy influence is either willful ignorance or plain stupidity.
32
Cuomo is a hypocrite he bad mouths the president then treats women in a derogatory fashion render it was him who during his fathers campaign created the very homophobia campaign poster about Ed Koch. Let this be a lesson be careful what you wish for he wanted a democratic controlled government he got it now we can all watch them eat themselves alive
6
Does any of this money go towards fixing the transit system? Politics as usual and its dirty.
5
We DEFINITELY need public money for political campaigns.
AND even MORE funding:
-For the MTA, (to address system neglect, pay MTA workers more, more ferry and LIRR subsidies, and free Metro Cards cards to "low income" folks.)
-For free prep classes for entry to competitive high schools, + more competitive high schools, another "Renewal" program to save failing schools, and - not just free school lunches for all regardless of need, but breakfasts too (most important meal of the day!)
-For more legal aid to stop evictions, plus free high speed wifi for everyone, and better free cell phones.
-For another Thrive program for the scary crazies on every block.
-For more free apartments, and nicer apartments than those free ones we currently provide.
Every one of these issues requires serious consideration.
What seems to have broken down completely is any sort of system for building consensus and setting priorities.
Instead, we get name calling that only serves as a role model for the fourth graders who aspire to be bullies in grade six.
And it seems to start with the Governor and his perpetual anger, sneer, and attack-mode.
Perhaps one more reason for the "out migration" from New York. NY's domestic migration losses were the worst of any state in the region in 2017, per the Census Bureau, and the highest since the mid 2000s.
This will accelerate as college educated, modestly successful Baby Boomers retire - tired of being demonized and tapped like a bank account.
8
NO, we don’t think it’s okay for the lobbyists and the special interest groups plan to spend over $170 billion to grease the wheels. We as taxpayers are stuck in the quagmire! Outlaw lobbying! It’s deceitful and indecent at best.
18
"Carl E. Heastie, the Assembly speaker, said he did not believe Mr. Cuomo’s fund-raiser, or any budget-time fund-raiser, was inappropriate."
Of course the Speaker, now that he is one of the now "Two Men & A Woman" that get to put their fingers on the scale, wants to retain all previous rights and privileges. The next campaign is the primary concern between the morning alarm clock and the midnight snack for most NY State legislators.
As ever it was and will be.
8
I remember the video of Cuomo ignoring Teachout who was trying to say hello at a parade in New York. So old world politics you cant hardly believe it. So typical type A Male, always feuding with people, always negative and yet wants to be President. Really?
18
Mr. Cuomo you have for some time been telling us that you are the man to clean up Albany by way of campaign reform and ethics. Sir, you have done nothing on both fronts. Instead you schmooze with the elite , make under the table deals, force congestion pricing on people who can ill afford it and now surround yourself with a lackey who apparently hates women.
Meanwhile our roads are in such disrepair that it has become a daily struggle not to find gaping holes on the parkways and expressways that we travel on. You forced oversized signs all over the place, illegally btw and it will now cost us taxpayers 50 mil to take them down. You are past your sell date. Wake up, bring back the Moreland Commission and do something useful for all Citizens of this State instead of the 1% crowd.
21
Unless you voted for Cynthia Nixon, Marc Molinaro, a third-party candidate, or left the line blank, let's be clear about one thing.
You voted for a crook.
If you also voted for him as attorney general, you voted for him to sit on his hands while Donald Trump ran his Trump University scam.
You voted by tribe. You voted by brand recognition. Own it.
26
"Every time I’ve done something that doesn’t feel right, it’s ended up not being right."
~ Mario Cuomo~
Sad to see how very far has this apple fallen away from its tree...
9
No one in Albany wants to look into the mirror. They're afraid of the "house of mirrors" image they project.
2
This sounds silly on all sides. They all had fund raisers ... what am I missing??
3
This reckless infighting is why Mr. Trump will win again in 2020.
4
Let's face it. Anyone who pays $25,000 to have dinner with a politician, is not just paying for the steak.
25
Question: are unions included in this “ pay to play” outrage? If I’m not mistaken, the biggest contributors to state legislators are the teachers union ( NYSUT) and municipal workers. Buying favorable legislation? Follow the money.
6
I have a simple philosophy regarding payments to political parties and politicians: I don't make them and never will.
2
Whenever any system has elements introduced into it so that it not longer works as it was designed, then it is corrupted. Our computers get 'corrupted'. Scientific experiments have to be abandoned because they get 'corrupted.'
And our democratic process is definitely corrupted by campaign money. Large donors expect access to a law maker and responses to their phone calls and proposals.
They may not get everything they want, but they buy the opportunity to try. That's what access is all about.
Meanwhile, us lowly voters can send an email to our representatives, but getting phone calls returned and face time is rare.
We don't have the same access as $25,000 a ticket donors and don't get to make our case for our needs in the same way as they do. And that's corruption of our democracy.
If the system of emails, social media and occasional meetings in the district is good enough for the average voter then it should be good enough for the big time lobbyists as well.
6
“It is impossible to say a $25,000 ticket is not influencing the decisions,” she said.
What a big, big statement.
They said it was impossible to land men on the moon.
Ms. Biaggi seems to possess some kind of prescience regarding Mr. Cuomo's thought process and his intentions.
If she does have that power I would like to know if she would help me fill out my lottery tickets.
I would like to know what happened to Judge Crater.
Where Jimmy Hoffa currently resides.
What is in the Mueller Report...
2
@Interested Party
What do you think the $25k was? A token of their appreciation. Pay to play, that's how it's always been in NY. Louisiana politics pales in comparison.
19
Its disingenuous to insinuate that Cuomo is 'in the pocket' of money and power. Today, NYT featured 'Plastic Bags to Be Banned in New York', passed with Cuomo's support despite powerful opposition, and Cuomo previously protected the state from fracking interests and supported the $15 minimum wage. Cuomo is in the tradition of LBJ - who wouldn't have passed a 'purity test' either - but advanced The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Medicaid.
3
@Rafael Meanwhile the roads are in horrible shape, he's been robbing the MTA to pay for his balanced Budget and now it's come back to haunt him? Please tell us after all of the fare hikes to ride the subways and busses where is the money? I wish to Times would do a story on that.
7
Re: ‘after all the fair hikes, where is the money? I wish NYT would do a story on that.’ How Politics and Bad Decisions Starved New York’s Subways https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/18/nyregion/new-york-subway-system-failure-delays.amp.html
1
What a surprise - Governor Cuomo and his flunkies continue to run NYS in the same thuggish manner they've been doing for the past two terms!
The voters of this state have only themselves to blame for Cuomo's continued reign of petty sniping, half hearted reforms of a bloated government, creating the worst in the nation place to live, work, play and do business and, most of all, his faux progressivism as he eyes a run for president.
10
Why was the Governor’s $25,000 a plate dinner a secret, and not an official calendared event??
22
The presence of a woman (Majority leader Stewart-Cousins) in the budget negotiations is making the governor and his testosterone drunk toadies come completely unhinged.
6
Yep. Budget negotiations were simple and without any conflict before a woman was in the room. You got it.
3
I can't believe that Mario's father, the former Governor of NYS, would have approved of one of his top aides using obscene language to describe three female lawmakers, and doing so in the press room no less. He was the personification of class, but his son's aide's salacious comment was inappropriate, and must have been approved by Mario himself. Shame on him!
I believe that the NYT should have included the vulgarity so we can see how far the current Governor Cuomo will go to denigrate those whom he disagrees with.
4
Optics and how things seem matter in politics often as much as and sometimes more than substance. The rookie can be made to look hypocritical and just jealous he was able to get 25$k plates. Dumb move.
The sexism angle is stupid clickbait.
I agree we need to go back to part-time politicians with term limits. Maybe even have a legislative session every other year. A bit more of Texas would help NY and a bit more NY would help Texas. Extremes of over-government and under-.
3
The fish rots from head.
5
What’s the story here? Are female politicians to be treated with Victorian etiquette? Having been involved in the process in the past, it sounds like they were treated no differently than men. It might be rude, it might be debased, it might be corrupt, but in this instance, it’s also gender-neutral. I suppose that’s progress.
14
He spoke up them as he did to a man and that’s that. They were idiots and the guy he got on he called a moron. Welcome to the big league. It’s a high pressure game.
16
More virtue signaling by the self-righteous. What difference does it really make what time of year pay-to-play, or just plain old political support is done?
7
We have the solution here in Maine. During the entire legislative session no money can be raised from either lobbyists or their employers.
27
Cuomo is the New York Democratic version of Donald Trump. A corrupt, controlling authoritarian who rules with money and power. Bravo to these and other legislators who have the courage to stand up to him
49
@Sam Himmelstein Did you actually read the article? The so-called reformers definitely come off as hypocrites! Maybe you should try reading until the end.
5
@pacificdaedalus That doesn't change my opinion of Cuomo.
4
@pacificdaedalus I disagree; finally someone has the nerve to stand up to this autocrat. I know several state legislators personally and they all live in fear of controlling Cuomo and his vengeful wrath. I can't wait until he is out of office.
6
FYI: Melissa DeRosa’s father is a big time pharmacy benefit manager lobbyist. He is involved in million dollar deals. No appearance of impropriety there?
12
I would like to know what Cuomo is doing with his war chest. He's not helping local Dem candidates with all his REBNY money, he's not using it to fix NYCHA. What's up with his mean press person?
18
I keep voting against Cuomo in the primaries. I don't want to vote for a Republican, especially in the current culture. But I have no confidence that Mr. Cuomo is more interested in the well being of the state than he is in his own well being: rather like another even more crude person in political power. Throw him out!
40
@R Kennedy I have voted Republican only twice in my life. Both this last election. Against Cuomo and DiBlasio.
I maintain that we would've been better off with the Republicans.
3
...or at least a 2 party system.
1
The Cuomo dynasty has had a long run and it is about time Andrew is scrutinized. How much do the NY taxpayers have to put up with.
29
In the words of my new favorite talk show host Meghan McCain “YOU WERE AT MY WEDDING DENISE!”
8
The corruption among NY State politicians continues and New York voters have ourselves to blame. Everyone knows that Cuomo engaged in the pay to play scam when he gave the Crystal Run Healthcare System in the Hudson valley a $25 million grant in return for a $400,000 campaign contribution. And we also know he closed down the Moreland Commission. Yet he was re-elected.
I don't want the taxpayers to be left paying the bills by having to use taxpayer money to fund public campaigns. Instead we need term limits to get rid of these people in a set period of time. George Washington was right- two terms and then go home, No more career politicians.
47
@Accordion At least if taxpayers foot the bills to fund campaigns, they might get some of the funding back when politicians spend money to take care of their constituent' needs because those will be the only people they are beholden to (as it should be).
7
There is a big difference, at least to me, in having a fundraiser three weeks before the budget (Senator Ramos) or almost two months (Senator Biaggi) and having the Governor, who obviously can exert more influence over the outcome of the budget, hosting one a couple of days before the budget is due. It seems Cuomo's staff are implying that two novice Senators hold more sway over the budget than their boss does. The last I knew neither of the Senators are going to be part of the "three men in a room" ironing out details of the budget.
50
@Rit There is? Six weeks makes one great and the other vile? Interesting.
11
@Ernest Montague
In my view, yes. Give Senator Biaggi and Senator Ramos even a modicum of Cuomo's control over the budget, then we can talk about equivalency. Until then, it is, as they say, "false equivalency"--the same tactic as Trumpites use.
6
Isn’t 3 days prior to the deadline too late? I think a donation with some lead time would be more effective. In any case, wouldn’t the date the ticket was purchased be more on point? Texas has the rule about no fund raisers during session. Unlike NY, TX only has one 120 days session every two years. Still, people buy tickets during session so what did it really accomplish?
3
Sage Advice to Rookies: Put brain in gear before pushing the talk button.
16
So much for the Democratic centrists, Cuomo, Biden and the Clinton’s. Time for young blood. Put the old men out to pasture. Yes, the gender is important to the article.
31
I've said it before: "Empty-Suit Andy" is the Democratic Party's equivalent of Traitor Trump.
29
There was absolutely no reason to discuss gender in this piece. There is zero indication that Cuomo’s aide’s comments were motivated by gender animus. You could have just discussed the aide’s hypocrisy and unneeded vulgarity. But you had to make it about gender.
56
@Tom I was looking to see if anyone wrote that before I commented. You are right. I really resent the headline. It has nothing to do with gender.
13
@child of babe: Ah, but if Cuomo had said it about 3 BLACK legislators, what would the headline have read? And what should it have read?
Cuomo is an equal-opportunity sleaze, but that does NOT let him or his aides off the hook for filthy language applied to elected officials in NY State. He shouldn't be talking that way about ANYONE, period.
6
@Tom As someone quoted in the article mentioned, no one ever discusses male politicians in Albany in those vulgar terms. THAT'S why it's sexist - because male politicians are treated with more respect than female politicians.
This is especially noteworthy because there are many new, young women politicians, who I guess are making the men in Albany feel threatened. Hence, the use of a vulgarity to put the women "in their place".
7
It should be obvious to the most casual observer that these three women calling out the governor for something they themselves did is foolish or, ahem, idiotic.
Perhaps they're so full of their righteousness that they'll also go out in their 'new clothes' too? Obviously they're new, the politicians and the clothes.
10
If they are idiots say it. Equal rights means getting just what the guys get. They may be idiots and profanity worthy stupid!
21
Exactly! That’s politics sisters. Grow up. Talking smack is going to happen. You were crusading on some holier than thou deal.
16
No love is lost between the Wall Street Democrats and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party
Thank you, Mr. Cuomo, for continuing to show the values of the Wall Street wing of the Democratic Party in NYS
22
Honest inquiry: Why does it matter that the lawmakers were female? Did I miss something? The recurring emphasis regarding the gender of the lawmakers, to me, is not relevant to the main theme (namely fundraising tactics within the Democratic Party and the behavior of Mr. Azzopardi).
Playing up gender feels as if the NYTimes is implying Azzopardi/Cuomo are sexist; however, it's clear to me that they would have called anyone who disagreed with them an idiot, no matter their gender.....
This is an important point because you shouldn't make something a gender or race issue unless it really is one. Anyways, articles like this misguide us and are not helpful in getting to the bottom of issues.....
I would hope for better from the NYTimes.
76
@qschwellinger Cuomo has a long, well documented history of sexist remarks with misogynist overtones. Stop ignoring it and acting like people are being too sensitive.
6
@thomas Johnson Jr If what you're saying is true, and I'm not saying it's not, this article should have made that point. That's what I'm trying to say.
4
@thomas Johnson Jr If what you're saying is true, and I'm not saying it's not, this article should have made that point. That's what I'm trying to say.
Should also probably note that not knowing is quite different than ignoring.
3
Why does The NY Times feel it is important to clarify the gender of the three lawmakers who were called “(expletive) idiots”?
As if the behavior was somehow more reprehensible because the targets are female?
90
@FMJ Thank you. Did papers report that "in a vulgar diatribe" Tillerson called the male president a moron?
22
Moron is not vulgar. And calling trump moron is a compliment.
13
In fairness to Andy, he would also call men idiots.
22
Would've been a non-issue if Azzopardi hadn't shot his mouth off.
3
Easy to see why the state capitol was shoved upriver to far-away Albany. Better to hide the sewage, and all the very bad smells.
13
Clearly, the fundraisers in question were different only in the amounts charged to attendees and are representative of the many campaign finance problems affecting our elections. However, Cuomo's senior adviser referring to the women legislators as "expletive idiots" and then proudly agreeing to it being on record is more disturbing.
The coarsening of the political dialogue, allowing hate to flow freely, diminishes us all. It says that we do not have to respect each other, we do not have to adhere to any standards of behavior, when working in a public capacity. No surprise, the permission for inappropriate behavior comes from the top down.
15
A plague on all their houses. Banana republics have nothing over New York State when it comes to institutionalized corruption at all levels of government.
25
@Billy Baynew
Amen. This is a few kettles calling the pot black. In this case (due to Cuomo's power, history and shameless pay-to-play tactics) the pot is huge and the kettles are smaller but it's all the same game. The press can't let them get away with this back-and-forth about the dates and locations of the fundraisers. Do they think we're that dumb. If someone gives $25,000 they are expecting to be remembered come "budget season" and, if not, they're expecting some other legislative or regulatory consideration which is just as terrible. We don't necessarily need reform as much as we need the press to be relentless in shining a light on this stuff. The public needs to know about these activities. We need to know who is giving and what they expect in return. This is what the press should be covering. If the NY Times is going to let the politicians control this discussion, then we're going to end up with some silly rules about where fundraisers need to be held in the months of February and March or something like that. It will be useless legislation and will let these crooks claim that they have reformed the state's campaign laws. Nonsense. Keep up this reporting and exposing these people for who they are.
11
UGH! Even the $5K is well above the realm of possibility for 99% of the population. This is ABSURD!! Who's fundraiser was held on exactly what day?? How about no fundraising until a month before the elections and focus on the job your voters sent you there to do: cooperate with each other, find solutions and move the country forward. This is so infuriating.
19
I guess it is easy to learn sleeze. Ms. Biaggi, I would never hold a fund raiser in Albany. Ok but it's alright to hold one in NYC. Ms. Ramos also gave back money to people who did not support her position. I guess hypocrisy is also easy to learn.
4
Power corrupts. Few are an exception. Very few. Minuscule percentage.
1
Sometimes you have to call it like you see it.
6
How about this impossible dream - end fundraisers during budget season AND put a stop to Democrats staging their usual circular firing squads - in any season!
5
We will know we have made some progress when the headline reads "Cuomo Aides Bash 3 Lawmakers" rather than "Cuomo Aides Bash 3 Female Lawmakers".
What does their gender have to do with the story? This seems like gender baiting. The lawmakers can stand on their own. They don't need to be labeled as "female," as if that is some sort of qualifier.
45
"During the news conference, Ms. Ramos acknowledged holding her own fund-raiser, but said she had returned contributions from people whose political beliefs did not align with hers."
Please.This is exactly the sort of too-clever-by-half garbage that makes the public regard all elected politicians as lying clowns. What a sorry fraud.
27
@mpound
That was, from any point of view, pathetic.
4
@mpound
It's not as if contributions from folks aligned with her beliefs is not any less corruption.
And, as a further point, who's to say her beliefs are good for the country or the state?
3
"I did because I can and I shouldn’t be able to"
Spoken like a true slimeball. Team no one. Publicly funded campaigns can't come soon enough.
8
The headline implies that gender was a factor in this story, and that the unnamed aide was somehow being sexist in describing the three lawmakers as 'idiots.' But I see nothing within the text which relates to gender in any way.
Am I missing something here? Would we highlight the genders if it were three male lawmakers who were being accused of idiocy, which is surely an everyday occurrence in Albany? I worry that the headline writer has introduced an element of controversy into this story where none has been demonstrated.
80
@Tom Carpenter "Three Men in a Room."
3
@Tom Carpenter
The NYT has fully adopted a view of the world where identity (often gender) is paramount. This type of headline is reflex at this point. They cannot resist.
4
@Tom Carpenter
Do you not know Albany's history of how women have been treated?
For ages their main purpose was to serve as legislators' playthings...and the men who loudly professed their commitment to women's rights were among the very worst offenders.
The governor still acts as though women can be ordered around at his whim, and woe unto them if they show any backbone.
2
Cuomo is such a class act - Donald Trump’s brother from another mother.
24
@Bigger Thomas; right sentiment, but more Nixon (not Cynthia) than Trump.
1
You endorsed him, NYT. The state voted him in by a good majority. You own him.
31
@rtj
Cuomo wasn't the offender, his aide was. Aides are appointed, not elected.
3
@nom de guerre
Um, yeah, and who appointed the aide? Did his aide hold the pay-to-play fundraiser in the other article too? The NYT endorsed Cuomo and the voters elected him knowing full well the swamp of corruption he was smack in the middle of.
8
A list of Cuomo's high-rollers would be quite illuminating; I hope that's forthcoming. Wonder if there are any real estate people in there????
22
It appears that the system isn't working, that politicians are hypocrites, and Azzopardi would have called them the same thing regardless of gender. There are plenty of problems here but womanizing isn't one of them. Sheeesh.
4
So... one of these women held her own fundraiser and gave the exact same answer Cuomo gave when asked about it (that she would operate within the system until it was changed)...?
I might not use the same expression, but the sentiment fits.
5
Enough with the vulgar name calling.
To all of you in Albany, and in politics anywhere:
Could you possibly give acting like grown ups a try?
16
Azzopardi should resign. Period.
There is no place for such thuggish behavior, let alone among the governor’s top reps — now or ever.
11
@Thomas D. Fired. Today.
6
"Ms. Ramos acknowledged holding her own fund-raiser, but said she had returned contributions from people whose political beliefs did not align with hers." - How about keeping their money but not doing what they want, then? Mr. Azzopardi may be correct in his assessment.
10
"...a push — supported by the Senate, Assembly and the governor — to get big money out of politics..."
Comedy line of the year right there and it's only March.
62
I’m trying to figure out who’s winning the mud slinging contest, but everyone is so covered it’s impossible!
29
@Victor Nobody is because they're both throwing mud. Only thing is the mud that the Democrats sling, is the politically correct sanitized version. Like the stuff they have at spas, terribly expensive & hides the truth on the bodies from view.
1