7 June 2021: Cuomo Stuck on Sidelines as Power Diminishes

Cuomo on the sidelines as legislators wrap up session

This report from Politico emphasizes the extent to which Andrew Cuomo's power as New York's governor has diminished as a consequence of his multiple scandals.

Embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo has held a series of public events in recent weeks to discuss everything from a car show to a plan to give free Lotto tickets to people who get vaccinated, all designed to present an air of normalcy. But he has been almost completely silent on nearly all of the major policy debates unfolding in the final days of the legislative session. At no point during Cuomo’s decade in office has he played a less prominent role in lawmaking. “Since all the allegations about him kind of came out, he’s been kind of quiet on most things [in the Legislature],” said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). “He concentrates on Covid and infection rate and opening the state back up.”

Governors often have their best successes influencing the Legislature by using their pulpit to bully lawmakers. But Cuomo could have a lot to lose if he antagonizes his fellow Democrats or complicates the debate just before legislators are due to end their session on Thursday. “There's probably nobody who’s going to be happier this year that we’re gone than the governor, for obvious reasons,” said Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt.

One way to describe Governor Cuomo's current political situation is that he is serving at the pleasure of top legislators rather than the voters of New York. That won't stop when the legislature goes into recess.