ATTORNEY General Andrew Cuomo, a likely candidate for governor, is joining the criticism of Gov. Paterson’s secretly prepared, newly adopted, record-high, tax-and-spend budget.
“The attorney general believes the state must do a better job of reducing government spending and increasing efficiencies in order to avoid tax hikes,” Cuomo spokesman Richard Bamberger told The Post when asked specifically about the new budget and its $8 billion in tax increases. “The AG also believes our government needs to be more transparent in its budget processes,” he continued.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, like Cuomo a Democrat, blasted the budget before it was adopted as a “buy time” document that “does not adequately respond to today’s economic realities.”
Cuomo’s comments, which put him at odds with fellow Democrat Paterson and the Democratic leaders of the Legislature, are sure to be seen as another sign that he’s gearing up to run for governor next year.
A Quinnipiac University poll pitting Cuomo against Paterson in a primary matchup is to be released today.
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While Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) is quite happy being described as New York’s de facto governor for his lead role in crafting the new budget, many Assembly Democrats are privately fuming.
“A lot of members are getting killed over the budget back home and it’s being made worse because all the stories saying Shelly is the one who did this to their communities,” said a Democratic source.
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The state Power Authority, which dumped controversial longtime State Police operative Daniel Wiese as its inspector general last year amidst Cuomo’s probe of possible police misconduct, has just fired the entire remaining inspector general staff.
Ousted were Deputy IG Al Swansen, a longtime Wiese associate and retired State Police official who was paid $131,018 a year; Peter Scalici, the $123,732-a-year deputy IG; Chief Investigator Tim Dolce, who was paid $96,851; and homeland-security liaison William Mazzuca, paid $90,615, according to an authority spokesman.
“The Power Authority is in the process of initiating a series of reforms from previous practices to address some of the criticisms in past and current investigations,” the spokesman said, adding:
“We have made the decision to eliminate the NYPA Office of Inspector General and instead will have a liaison position to the state IG.”