Archive for the ‘Andrew Cuomo’ Category

Cuomo: Senate gun bill ‘only better than nothing’

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by:jvielkind@timesunion.com (Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau)
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ALBANY — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blasted a compromise that will move a gun control bill through the U.S. Senate, saying Congress will “fundamentally fail to act on a societal scourge” by expanding background checks without reinstating an expired ban on semi-automatic “assault weapons.”

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

“This is a Congress that is captive of the extremists, and there is no clearer proof than this,” said Cuomo, a Democrat. “They’re talking about a bill that might improve the background checks, which is better than nothing, but it’s only better than nothing.”

Wednesday morning, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, announced an agreement to extend background checks to firearms sold at gun shows and by Internet retailers. Private sales between individuals would still not require a background check.

The Democrat-controlled Senate will vote to start debate on gun control Thursday. The Washington Post reports that senators are expected to reject proposals from Barack Obama to limit high capacity magazines and restrict some types of semi-automatic, military assault rifles. A ban on such firearms — including the AK-47 — expired in 2004.

Cuomo said a gun control bill he pushed, dubbed the SAFE Act, goes much further.

“Our gun package goes well beyond what they’re talking about in Washington. … We’re not talking about a significant package anymore. We lost that along the way,” Cuomo said during a radio interview. “I think it points out the intelligence of what we did in New York State, and thank God we did.”

New York’s SAFE Act broadened the definition of banned assault weapons, banned the sale or possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds and places a seven round cap on the amount of bullets they can lawfully contain. The law also increased penalties for illegal gun possession, reduced public access to gun permit information, and required mental health professionals to report concerns about a gun-owning patient who poses a risk to himself or others.

New York’s bill was unveiled on Jan. 14, and passed quickly through a “message of necessity” that waived the legally required three-day waiting period. The New York State Senate, led by a Republican-dominated coalition, passed the measure by a 43-18 vote less than two hours after the bill’s text became public. The Democrat-dominated Assembly passed the bill the next day, and Cuomo signed it. He has since faced criticism and legal challenges to the bill, and his poll standing notched down.

During his first two years as governor, Cuomo would often decline to comment on federal proposals. But during the Wednesday morning radio interview, conducted by WCNY’s “The Capitol Pressroom,” the governor spent 10 minutes on the subject.

Cuomo was careful not to criticize Barack Obama, but contrasted his own efforts in New York — passing bills through a split Legislature where Republicans effectively control one house — with what he described as “paralysis”in Washington.

There has been chatter about Cuomo as a possible 2016 presidential contender, and New York’s Democratic State Committee — under de facto Cuomo control — has started airing ads in the Empire State that weigh in on federal policy.

Still, Cuomo last week told the Buffalo News editorial board: “I don’t think about 2016. … I’m working as hard as I can this year.”

Asked about 2016, Cuomo doesn’t back Clinton

Monday, December 10, 2012 by:jvielkind@timesunion.com (Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau)
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(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, one of two New Yorkers mentioned as a Democratic presidential hopeful in 2016, offered nice words but declined to endorse Secretary of State Hillary Clinton if she made another White House run.

“It’s a long way away,” Cuomo said during a radio interview on WGDJ-AM in Albany this morning. “We just elected a president they want to talk about the next election. There’s no doubt that she is incredibly popular, she has great experience, and there’s going to be all sorts of speculation about her political future, and she is the person who is going to make the decision.”

Buzz around Clinton, who is not expected to stay in her post through Barack Obama’s second term, prompted a front-page article in Sunday’s New York Times exploring her possible perches, and how they are restricted until she definitively rules out another presidential campaign. Clinton, a former New York senator, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for commander-in-chief in 2008. Obama named her secretary of state soon after the election.

Cuomo has said he is focused on his current job leading the Empire State, but is nonetheless mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate. He served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.

States pressure Obama to find $82 billion for federal superstorm relief

Thursday, December 6, 2012 by:max.kranl@chron.com (Max Kranl)
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President Obama is battling with lawmakers over federal spending.

No, not the fiscal cliff.

And he’s not even battling Republicans.

The White House is jostling with lawmakers from the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut over how much of the tab for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will be picked up by the feds.

Discussions have been going on for days. The governors of the affected states have requested $82 billion to clean up the storm damages and for infrastructure improvements to prepare for future storms.

White House officials expect Obama to send his proposal to Capitol Hill at the end of this week.

But on Wednesday the New York Times (an authoritative source for White House leaks) reported that Obama’s proposal to Congress will be about $50 billion. A huge amount of money, but not even close to what coast lawmakers have asked for.

The report has provoked disappointed reactions among senators of the affected states calling for more support by the administration. All six senators from the storm-ravaged states are Democrats, as are the vast majority of House members (including 100 percent of the Connecticut delegation).

The White House immediately called the New York Times report “premature speculation” and said the administration is currently working on the storm aid, so there’s no specific number yet.

Also on Wednesday, during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on homeland security, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan repeated the White House’s statement and promised that the administration won’t forget about the damaged coast states.

Referring to the New York Times report, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “If that is the number, it is inadequate. It will not even go remotely far enough to meet the needs of New York.”

Not to mention Connecticut and New Jersey.

Secretary Donovan did say that the administration’s emergency aid bill will include funding for storm damage prevention, something New York lawmakers have been calling for.

How the bill will be financed — whatever amount it would cover — isn’t clear yet.

On Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie met with Obama at the White House to talk about the issue. Afterwards, he went to Capitol Hill to assure the coast states’ needs will be heard.

Cuomo will make first trip to DC on Monday

Friday, November 30, 2012 by:jvielkind@timesunion.com (Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau)
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will travel to Washington, D.C. on Monday to plead his case for a $42 billion appropriation from Superstorm Sandy, sources said.

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Cuomo, a Democrat who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, has not visited Washington since taking office in 2011. Indeed, Cuomo makes a point of not leaving the Empire State: The only three trips that come to mind are his touch-and-go visit to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September, flying to California for a same-sex marriage themed fundraiser in 2011 and a journey to Puerto Rico also that year to attend the annual Somos El Futuro conference.

An administration official confirmed the governor’s travel plans, but said his itinerary is not yet set. The delegation source said Cuomo is expected to meet with New York’s congressional representatives at some point in the day, but details were still being finalized. It’s unclear if Cuomo will meet with any administration officials or visit the White House.

On Monday, Cuomo huddled in his Manhattan office with Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as several representatives from areas most affected by the storm’s wrath. Cuomo has estimated Sandy’s costs at $50 billion.

The governor at first said the state would seek a $30 billion appropriation from Congress to supplement normal reimbursements paid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But that figure lingered in the public arena for over a week without any specific request attached to it. On Monday, Cuomo outlined $32 billion in reimbursement requests related to the recovery efforts as well as another $9 billion for projects that will rebuild and strengthen New York’s infrastructure.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers on Wednesday.

Cuomo has said the state faces a hostile political climate in Washington for its aid request. While he crafted his own list of needs by consulting with New York officials, he subsequently issued joint statements with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat.

Congress is in session through the end of the year as lawmakers negotiate ways to reduce the long-term deficit and avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” It’s unclear when federal lawmakers may take up a supplemental aid package, or when it will be codified into legislation.

Ron Paul says post-Sandy “price gouging” would’ve helped solve the gas shortage

Monday, November 12, 2012 by:jana.kasperka@chron.com (Jana Kasperkevic)
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(Jewel Samad/AFP)

Even as New York and New Jersey launched lawsuits against business that have participated in price gouging post-Sandy, Texas Rep. Ron Paul has penned a newsletter saying that when it comes to gas this practice would have actually solved states’ problems post the storm.

In the ‘In Praise of Price Gouging’ newsletter, Paul argues that price gouging is “normal market response of rising prices in the wake of a natural disaster.”

According to Bloomberg, New Jersey government is currently suing seven stations for price gouging. Under New Jersey law, excessive price increase of 10 percent or more during a declared state of emergency is considered price gouging.

“We warned merchants again and again not to violate the law by taking advantage of people following this catastrophe,” said New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa during a press conference on Friday Nov. 9. “The fact that we have these fringe businesses that think that disasters are a profit center is troubling.”

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie warned against price gouging as early as Oct. 27, when he said:

“During emergencies, New Jerseyans should look out for each other – not seek to take advantage of each other. The State Division of Consumer Affairs will look closely at any and all complaints about alleged price gouging. Anyone found to have violated the law will face significant penalties.”

On Nov. 5, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has received overwhelming number of complaints about price gouging and was launching an investigation into the matter, reported Reuters.

“Our office has zero tolerance for price gouging,” he said. “We are actively investigating hundreds of complaints we’ve received from consumers of businesses preying on victims.”

However, the outgoing representative from the Lone Star State, Ron Paul, believes that interfering in price gouging and regulating the prices actually hurt the residents in New Jersey and New York and caused the post-Sandy gas shortage to last longer than it otherwise would.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the supply of gasoline was greatly disrupted. Many gas stations were unable to pump gas due to a lack of electricity, thus greatly reducing the supply. At the same time demand for gasoline spiked due to the widespread use of generators. Because gas stations were forbidden from raising their prices to meet the increased demand, miles-long lines developed and stations were forced to start limiting the amount of gasoline that individuals could purchase. New Jersey gas stations began to look like Soviet grocery stores.

Had gas stations been allowed to raise their prices to reflect the increased demand for gasoline, only those most in need of gasoline would have purchased gas, while everyone would have economized on their existing supply. But because prices remained lower than they should have been, no one sought to conserve gas. Low prices signaled that gas was in abundant supply, while reality was exactly the opposite, and only those fortunate enough to be at the front of gas lines were able to purchase gas before it sold out. Not surprisingly, a thriving black market developed, with gas offered for up to $20 per gallon.

The elections must go on: Storm damage can’t stop New York and New Jersey voters

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 by:jana.kasperka@chron.com (Jana Kasperkevic)
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Just like the Giants-Steelers game, the elections must go on despite the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy, New York and New Jersey pols decided this past week.

And they had few ideas about how to make that happen.

Trucks as polling stations:

The Department of Defense was called and came to the rescue by providing large military trucks to be used in place of some polling places that were without power due to Sandy’s destruction.

At this make-shift polling stations, the voters were expected to fill out their ballots by hand.

“You walk up, get a paper ballot, fill it out and hand it back in,” explained New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who called voting this way “old school.”

Consolidated poling stations:

In New York, the Board of Election issued a list of polls that were no longer operational today and directed voters to new polling places such as Abraham Lincoln High School and PS 370 that were now destination for three times as many registered voters as prior to the storm.

Extended early voting deadline:

In New Jersey, that is. New York does not have early voting.

Gov. Christie extended the deadline for early voting till Friday of last week. Those in areas where the polling stations have been completely destroyed were advised by Secretary of State Kim Guadagno to mail it in by Friday. Those who might still make it to another polling station within NJ, can still hand in their ballot in person today.

Email in your vote:

Up until 5 p.m. EST time on the day of the election, New Jersey voters could have emailed or faxed in their request to vote by email or fax. Their request is then reviewed by county clerk and if approved, the voter then receives a ballot. Due to the overwhelming number of requests and the time that it took to process these requests, Gov. Christie moved the deadline for voters to return the ballot to Friday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.

Voting through affidavit ballots:

“We want everyone to vote. Just because you are displaced, doesn’t mean you should be disenfranchised,” said the governor. Later he signed an executive order allowing affidavit ballots, which means that displaced New York voters can go to any polling place and after signing an affidavit, can cast their vote.

Here is Gov. Cuomo’s press conference on the voting situation in NY:

Cuomo’s Executive Order:

Cuomo: ‘Climate change is a reality…we are vulnerable’

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 by:jvielkind@timesunion.com (Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau)
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo doubled-down on his suggestion Tuesday that climate change is responsible for the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, and said there should be more conversation about “a systemic solution long-term, because this is really a long-term issue.”

“It’s a longer conversation, but I think part of learning from this is the recognition that climate change is a reality, extreme weather is a reality, it is a reality that we are vulnerable,” Cuomo, a Democrat, said. “Climate change is a controversial subject, right? People will debate whether there is climate change … that’s a whole political debate that I don’t want to get into. I want to talk about the frequency of extreme weather situations, which is not political … There’s only so long you can say, ‘this is once in a lifetime and it’s not going to happen again.”

“The frequency is way up. It is not prudent to sit here, I believe, to sit here and say it’s not going to happen again,” Cuomo continued. “Protecting this state from coastal flooding is a massive, massive undertaking. But it’s a conversation I think is overdue.”

Cuomo spoke Wednesday afternoon at a briefing on ongoing Sandy-related recovery. He was joined by Joe Lhota, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats, as well as Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who is frequently mentioned as a potential Republican opponent for Cuomo in the 2014 gubernatorial election.

The state’s death toll now stands at 26, Cuomo said. Commuter trains into Manhattan from Long Island and Westchester, home to suburban enclaves just north of the city, will begin this afternoon in a limited fashion. Some Subway service will be restored Thursday morning, but trains will not run between downtown Brooklyn and train stations in the middle of Manhattan — Penn Station at 34th Street and Grand Central Terminal at 42nd Street. Details are available at the MTA’s website.

The officials had just concluded a helicopter tour of damaged areas, some of which Cuomo described as “apocalyptic.” Schumer said the scenes in Queens’ Breezy Point neighborhood — ravaged by fire as well as flooding — resembled London or Dresden at the end of World War II.

Schumer also steered the briefing toward a political subject, saying he was calling on the federal government to reimburse 90 percent or more of the costs of public recovery efforts — road reconstruction, police overtime, etc. — as opposed to the prescribed 75 percent.

“There will be some in Washington who say we shouldn’t do this,” said Schumer. “We expect everybody – Democrats, Republicans, people from everywhere around the country — to rally by our side … We cannot cut corners. We cannot count nickels and dimes. This is not just a New York disaster, a New Jersey disaster, a Connecticut disaster — this is a national disaster and it needs to be treated that way.”

On the subject of climate change, Schumer said there was “a group of people in Washington who just deny the truth.”

“We’re going to pay a price for the change in climate in one of two ways. We’ll either have to totally re-adapt our city…or we can take the bull by the horns and deal with the issue,” he said.

Cuomo: We need to plan, rebuild for ‘new reality’

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by:jvielkind@timesunion.com (Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau)
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said flooding from storms Irene, Lee and Sandy have convinced him that New York City and the rest of the state face “a new reality” of “extreme weather events” and should be reconfigured to deal with it.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo inspects flooding at the World Trade Center site Monday night as Superstorm Sandy swept over New York City. (Howard Glaser via Twitter)

Essentially, the Democratic governor suggested that climate change is having a real impact, though he never used the politically charged term. Cuomo said he joked in a conversation yesterday with President Barack Obama that “we have a 100-year flood every two years now.” But during a press conference Tuesday morning to announce the extent of state damage, Cuomo turned serious on the point.

“I’m hopeful that not only will we rebuild this city and metropolitan area but use this as an opportunity to build it back smarter. There have been a series of extreme weather events. That is not a political statement; that is a factual statement. Anyone who says there is not a change in weather patterns is denying reality,” said Cuomo. “We have a new reality when it comes to these weather patterns; we have an old infrastructure, we have old systems. That is not a good combination and that is one of the lessons I will take from this, personally.”

It’s unclear what that might mean: a giant levee around Manhattan? Generators placed on rooftops instead of in building basements? Some mechanism to seal off subway and vehicle tunnels that move millions of people in and out of Manhattan each day?

Cuomo would not say.

The governor repeated his hope that the federal government would reimburse the state and various local governments for the cost of major repairs.  He said the disruption to the private sector economy was real, but “I don’t anticipate that would be staggering.”

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