Mayor de Blasio avoided any talk of his infamous tax-hike proposal Sunday while still pushing for pre-kindergarten funding in Albany.
In public and private meetings, the mayor skirted the subject, saying he did so in deference to Gov. Cuomo, who has rejected the idea, especially if it benefits only New York City schoolchildren.
“I wanted to be respectful to the governor,” de Blasio said after the two worshipped together at Albany’s Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ.
“He’s someone I personally know and am close to, and I respect him and what he’s doing as governor.
“The good news is we have a difference how to do it, not whether to do it.”
Cuomo has rejected de Blasio’s tax-the-rich plan to fund pre-K, saying it would leave out New Yorkers who live in cities with fewer 1 percenters.
Even though de Blasio dodged the tax subject, Cuomo still looked uncomfortable, staring at his hands and nodding as the mayor spoke.
Cuomo later gave de Blasio a friendly embrace and a handshake. The two conversed quietly on the dais as the program continued.
De Blasio also spoke with legislators about funding pre-K.