The Most Powerful Man in NY

Arguably, the NY Governor is the most powerful man in the most powerful state in the most powerful nation. Who will the next governor be?

Election 2010: New York State’s Run for Governor

While there may be a number of issues that Western New Yorkers cannot seem to agree on (Peace Bridge and waterfront development plans to name a few), one thing hard to disagree on is that the state of our government could use a major overhaul.

New Yorkers currently pay some of the highest combined state and local taxes and were recently noted (according to statistics posted on Andrew Cuomo’s website) as leading the nation with one of the largest out-migrations of 20—35 year olds, a critical demographic to a communities economy.

While Election Year 2010’s candidates for governor showcase broad differences in their philosophies and ideologies, the thing they all seem to agree on is that things need to change at a political level in Albany and each candidate promises that they have a plan of action ready to be implemented to shake things up and hopefully, in the process, make the cost of living easier and the quality of life better for all New Yorkers.

We’ve taken the time to sort through some of the details (and mud-slinging propaganda) to bring you a summary of each of the two major contenders in the race for governor.

Candidate Name: Andrew Cuomo

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Birthdate: December 6, 1957

Running Mate: Robert J. Duffy, a former police chief and current mayor of Rochester.

Slogan: “Drive for a new New York.”

 Background: Born in Queens and is the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. His paternal grandparents arrived in Queens in the 1920’s from Salerno Italy and made their living in part by running a small grocery store.

Experience: Has been the NYS Attorney General since 2006.  Formerly held the position of Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Bill Clinton. It was in this role that he is credited for reinventing HUD, which prior to his arrival, was considered one of the most poorly managed federal agencies in existence. Some call him a hero for this reinvention; others credit his policy changes as contributing factors to the current housing crises.

Stance on Issues:

Tax Reform Will impose a cap on spending and freeze state employee salaries as part of a 1-year emergency financial plan. Will commit to no increase in personal or corporate income or sales tax and will impose a local property tax cap. Says, “We CANNOT tax our way out of the current crises!”

Also intends to “rightsize” the government by reducing its employee count by 30%.  Cuomo says the current government is “too big, ineffective and expensive.”

Education says education is the “new civil rights battle” and supports the charter school movement. Will increase the charter school cap from 200 to 460 and oppose limits on the number of charter schools within a given district. Is supportive of the Board of Regents work.

Job Development Hopes to impose a “Jobs Now” tax credit in which companies would receive a $3,000 tax credit for hiring unemployed New Yorkers.

Immigration Believes we need to fight for offering New York’s immigrants fair rights and privileges

Medicaid: Will work on a fundamental restructuring of Medicaid and will shift authority of Legislature rate control to a non-political administration system. Will strive to consolidate the purchase of pharmaceuticals in an attempt to lower costs.

Gun Control Will enforce safer gun laws. For example, will push for “microstamping” of guns.

Abortion will “continue to vigorously protect a woman’s rights to choose and will fight for the passage of the Reproductive Rights Act.”

Same-Sex Marriage Hopes to legalize same sex marriage and ensure that all couples have equal rights under the law.

            Interesting Fact: Currently dating Food Network star Sandra Lee.

            Quote: “I don’t run from a problem. I run at it...We the people formed the     government. We the people must reform the government.”

            Official Web Site: www.andrewcuomo.com

Candidate Name: Carl Paladino

Party Affiliation: Republican

Birthdate: August 24, 1946

Running Mate: Tom Ognibene, the supposedly feisty (also Italian) council minority leader in Queens who ran for mayor against Michael Bloomberg.

Slogan: “I’m mad as hell too!”

Background: Paladino is a tried and true Buffalonian born and was raised in the city. He received the honor of Buffalonian of the Year in 1991 and has 40 years of experience as a private businessman in the area and is CEO of Ellicott Development Company in Buffalo.

Experience: Paladino is a fighter who did not make it onto the primary ballot in a traditional manner but through petitions. He claims he will create a Tea Party line on the general election ballot if the conservative party does not endorse him in the primary elections next month.  He will be the first to say he is “not a politician” and is known for speaking his mind, sometimes to his detriment, but in a manner that leaves you thinking ‘at least you know what you’re getting.’

Stance on Issues:

Tax Reform Plans to declare a fiscal state of emergency and claims he will cut taxes by 10% in the first six months of his administration and cut state spending by 20% in his first year as governor. He will “evaluate every department and agency of the state government for efficiency, effectiveness and necessity.”

Education Is considering extending both the school year as well as the school day. Supports charter school and will raise the state cap from 200 to 500. Will also advocate for vouchers, restructure laws that do not allow for the removal of poorly performing tenured teachers, and plans to dissolve the State Board of Regents.

Job Development Will give New York manufacturers a tax holiday to reinvest profits and create good paying jobs.

Immigration Paladino is from a line Italian immigrants and believes that “legal immigration continues to add to the strength of this nation.” Is opposed to any form of amnesty or other political tactics that attempt to “absorb” illegal immigrants into the country and believes elected officials have a responsibility to enforce laws in relation to this.

Medicaid Will “no longer allow non-New Yorkers to ride the backs of tax-payers by moving here and tapping into our welfare.” Plans to impose a minimum one-year residency in New York before eligibility for Medicaid begins.

            Gun Control Supports an individual’s right to bear arms.

Abortion “I oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate the procedure.”

            Same Sex Marriage opposed to same sex marriage

Interesting Fact:  Feels he is “on a mission” since the death of his 29-year old son in a tragic car accident last year and has also publicly discussed the integration into his family of a daughter from an extramarital affair a decade ago.

Quote: “New York needs to be running, not walking; we need to cut [taxes], not just cap. Capping taxes is gutless; cutting taxes takes courage. I will cut taxes.”

            Official Web Site: www.paladinoforthepeople.com