NY Governor Cuomo: Corruption Charges Present An Opportunity for Reform

Public reaction to corruption charges against state officials could help propel political will to craft solutions

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo gives his State of the State address in Albany in January. Cuomo in a radio address on April 8 said the alleged corruption, seen in charges against multiple officials last week, is a good time to reform the political system. (photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

NEW YORK—Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday said two cases involving multiple state officials presents an opportunity to reform a system everyone knows is corrupt.

“We know the problems, and we know the solutions,” he said, in a radio interview on Capital Pressroom. “We haven’t had the political will.”

“These are crises, but they’re also opportunities,” he said. “And they’re opportunities to bring reform to the state, and put together a comprehensive agenda and get the legislature to act. You know, when the people are focused, and public opinion is strong, that’s a time for government to move.”

In the first case announced last week by Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, state Sen. Malcolm Smith was charged with conspiring through bribery to enter the New York City mayor’s race.

In the second case, Assembly person Eric Stevenson was charged with taking bribes from developers of day care centers in exchange for introducing legislation that was favorable to the developers. All persons involved in the cases have said they’re innocent.

Cuomo said that the problems are systematic, and while it’s good to catch individuals breaking the law, it would be more permanent to reform the system.

Changes he’s looking at include giving state and local prosecutors the same power U.S. attorneys, such as Bharara, have; reforming the state Board of Elections, which doesn’t do their job of enforcing laws well; and examining how member items are used in the legislature.

Another problem with the system, Cuomo said, is that it’s too difficult for political newcomers to enter into the politics, “which is exactly the opposite of what we want.”

He'll spend the remaining time left in the legislative session, a couple months, working on reforms.

As for a report that he is working on replacing Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who has been speaker since 1994, Cuomo basically said it’s untrue. The individuals charged in crimes decided to break the law, not the leaders, such as Silver.

“It is wholly up to the legislative bodies to select a leader,” he said. “I would never even for a moment try to influence that decision.”