Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Cuomo ready to shut down the government over reform

From Capital New York:

Governor Andrew Cuomo laid out a five-point plan to combat corruption in the State Legislature during a speech Monday at New York University, promising to use his power in the state budget process to enact new reforms, even if it means shutting down the government.

“A governor’s maximum leverage, vis-a-vis the Legislature, is the budget process. In that exchange, the governor can effectively say to the Legislature, ‘Either pass my budget, or shut down the government,” Cuomo said, recalling the federal shutdown that occurred during his time working for the Clinton administration. “It was ugly, but sometimes ugly is necessary.”

The governor’s speech comes shortly after Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested by federal law enforcement officials and accused of taking millions in bribes and kickbacks as part of his work with two outside law firms. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, whose office is prosecuting the case, said he is continuing to investigate lawmakers in Albany, which he has deemed a “cauldron of corruption."

Asked after the speech if he had “any clue of what was to come regarding Sheldon Silver,” Cuomo denied any prior knowledge.

“Absolutely not,” said Cuomo, whose Moreland Commission probed legislators' finances before it was disbanded. “No one had any clue. I was totally shocked on a number of levels.”

At the heart of Cuomo’s proposals are changes he’s previously presented: the creation of more robust campaign finance restrictions, alongside a public financing system and far greater disclosure of legislators' outside income.

The governor also said he would push for a change to the state constitution that would deprive a convicted public official of a pension, end the use of campaign funds for personal use and curtail legislative “per diem” payments to cover only actual expenses.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

We heard this all before.

Anonymous said...

I DESPISE THIS MAN!

Anonymous said...

He's a big liar. Just ask his ex-wife.

Anonymous said...

But no term limits??? Phony ,empty suit........

Anonymous said...

Without term limits and no side work / jobs / non-profits, etc. reform is impossible.

JQ said...

sure when the heat is getting too close,make vague threats.

he seems to neglect the fact,that he already shut down the government,a part of it,when he put the kibosh on moreland

ugly,but true.

get him preet

Anonymous said...

He is the biggest phony and liar around. When things heat up he either takes off on a trip overseas or makes a bogus speech about something. When Moreland broke he flew to Israel and Afghanistan. Too bad Andy, the people you represent will never forget. We are watching you very closely. You cannot be trusted!

Anonymous said...

I believe is going to Cuba too.

Anonymous said...

Throw the guv in jail. Corruption begins at the top and trickles down. That is the trickle down effect that a republicans are always talking about , ain't it?

Anonymous said...

Paging Preet Bhrara. Hope he investigates the 3 men in the room and locks them all up. Then they'll be known as 3 men in a cell.

Anonymous said...

there's a lot of crooks in the city and state need to be search more.

georgetheatheist said...

Re vicious pit-bull owner Heastie.

Nolan is quoted in today's (Tuesday) Times:

"the joy he will bring to all communities of our state."

Anonymous said...

Give the media and investigators 6 months to find something on this crumb. Was Silver his mentor?

Anonymous said...

I'm wondering how he will make a decision now that the old man is gone.