Commentary: Everyone loves Andrew Cuomo

Long Island Business News, May 26, 2009 by David Reich-Hale

Does Andrew Cuomo have cross-over appeal? Apparently so.

According to a Siena Research Institute poll released this week, Cuomo has a 66 percent approval rating, while 20 percent have an unfavorable view of him. Apparently Siena polled credit card companies and placement agents.

Obviously Democrats were big supporters, as he had a 67 percent to 14 percent approval rating. Independents were also on board. But the biggest surprise? The enthusiastic support he gets from Republicans.

The Siena poll found that a staggering 65 percent of Republicans also back Cuomo.

LIBN conservative columnist George Marlin weighed in on Cuomo, writing a column in which he backed the attorney general's push to consolidate or eliminate special districts.

From his LIBN column:

On Long Island, there are 901 such districts. My own Nassau County tax statement includes taxes for 18 special districts.

These shadow governments, which are a major contributing factor to New York having the highest combined state and local taxes in the nation, are shielded by political bosses because they serve as patronage mills for the party faithful. Many have highly paid executive directors, legal counsel and scores of staff members.

Hence, perpetuating their existence is in the best interest of pols, not taxpayers.

Now in the aftermath of the Wall Street meltdown, Attorney General Cuomo, having heard the cry of beleaguered taxpayers, has entered the fray with a bold proposal many believe is the first initiative of the Cuomo administration.

Cuomo was also on an Albany talk show last week, where he said the state needs to cut taxes, not increase them. Let the posturing ahead of 2011-2012 budget negotiations between Cuomo and Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver begin.