The Gov

Andrew Cuomo Is Vague On Walmart, Ray Kelly, DREAM Act, Min Wage; Certain On David Paterson, Gay Marriage

Andrew Cuomo met the press in New York City today for an announcement about a new initiative regarding the Department of Financial Services’ efforts to reclaim lost life insurance funds, and he was met with a number of queries that have been roiling the city’s media-sphere.

And Mr. Cuomo did a good job of being non-committal.

Asked, for example, about whether or not Walmart should move to New York City–something that the city’s pols vehemently oppose–Mr. Cuomo said, “I don’t have a position on that–what store, where, when, how.”

Asked if he supported a state DREAM Act, Mr. Cuomo said he supported a federal DREAM Act and the concept of “making education affordable for everyone.” And he declined to get into specifics about how such a measure could be enacted.

“There are a number of proposals we are discussing and we will see,” he said.

Asked if he supported an increase in the state’s minimum wage–today Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright is holding hearings on the measure–he said, “I support the minimum wage, the concept of a minimum wage. I have supported minimum wage increases in the past. On the specific question of how much of an increase, at what time, in what economy, what factors, what dynamics, how much of an increase are you talking about–those issues we are still working through.”

Mr. Cuomo also declined to take on the question of whether or not Ray Kelly should run for mayor in 2013 (a subject that is near and dear to his biographer)

“That issue will be left to the people of the City of New York,” he said.

On other matters, Mr. Cuomo wasn’t nearly as non-committal.

He was asked, for example about whether or not it was wise for him to appoint David Paterson to the MTA Board, in light of the fact that Mr. Paterson’s administration was riddled with ethical lapses that Mr. Cuomo investigated.

“Gov David Paterson has spent a lifetime in public service,”  Mr. Cuomo responded. “He has been very involved in MTA issues going back to his days in the Senate and I think he is going to be a powerful advocated and an informed voice on the MTA…He understands how the legislature works. He understands how budgets work. He understands the political process so I think the knowledge and experience he brings to the Board is going to be invaluable.”

And Mr. Cuomo was asked a question about same-sex marriage, which he helped shepherd through the legislature last year. No regrets there, either.

“I think passing marriage equality in New York was one of the great great accomplishments of the past year. I think it has made a New York a better state, a fairer state, a state that is more just.”

“I would do it every day of the week,” he added.

 

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