The election isn’t until November, and the inauguration is in January 2011 — but for months, front-running gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo has been flexing muscle as if he’s already the state’s top executive, Democratic sources say.
As lame-duck Gov. Paterson has been hamstrung by ethics scandals and Cuomo is polling far ahead of a lackluster GOP field, the door was opened for him to nudge along the executive branch in budget talks and strong-arm lawmakers into supporting legislation, such as lifting the cap on charter schools.
“Andrew ran the executive positions [during budget talks] and ran them strong and hard,” said a Dem lawmaker.
“[Paterson’s chief of staff] Larry Schwartz is doing Andrew’s bidding and no one doubts it,” said the source.
Cuomo, who has backed a 2 percent state-imposed cap on annual property-tax increases, persuaded Paterson to support it. “The property-tax cap became an issue at the end,” said the source. “David doesn’t believe in it but Andrew wanted it taken care of.”
Paterson ultimately rejected the financial recommendations of Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, because Cuomo opposed the borrowing required by Ravitch’s plan, said an administration source.
“Cuomo had operatives pressuring and imploring Senate Democrats not to borrow under any circumstances to balance the state budget,” said a Democratic source.
“He was also pulling the strings on SUNY and CUNY reform and told Democrats it was very important to him.”
Some lawmakers said the blurring of the line between administrations comes as no surprise.
“What happens now will have an impact on what happens in January,” said an administration source. “It would be crazy if Cuomo weren’t involved.”
“Andrew had no role in the budget and disagreed with many aspects thereof,” said Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto, adding that the Attorney General’s positions against raising taxes or borrowing were clearly outlined in his announcement speech. “Andrew speaks to many elected officials regularly, both Democrats and Republicans, in the course of his duties.”
Paterson and Cuomo have even started some transition work, which normally takes place after the election.
“It’s not going to be an easy transition,” said a source close to Cuomo.