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Andrew Cuomo

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Andrew Cuomo
56th Governor of New York
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2011
LieutenantRobert Duffy
Preceded byDavid Paterson
64th Attorney General of New York
In office
January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2010
GovernorEliot Spitzer
David Paterson
Preceded byEliot Spitzer
Succeeded byEric Schneiderman
11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
In office
January 29, 1997 – January 20, 2001
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byHenry Cisneros
Succeeded byMel Martinez
Personal details
Born
Andrew Mark Cuomo

(1957-12-06) December 6, 1957 (age 66)
Queens, New York
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseKerry Kennedy (1990–2005)
ChildrenCara
Michaela
Mariah
ResidenceExecutive Mansion
Alma materFordham University (B.A.)
Albany Law School (J.D.)

Andrew Mark Cuomo (pronounced /ˈkwoʊmoʊ/; born December 6, 1957) is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Born in Queens, New York, he is the son of Mario Cuomo, the 52nd Governor of New York (1983–1994).

Early life, education and career

Cuomo was born in Queens, New York, to a family of Italian-American origin and is the eldest son of Mario Cuomo, and Matilda Raffa, daughter of Charlie Raffa.[1] He is the older brother of ABC News journalist Chris Cuomo.[2]

Cuomo graduated from Saint Gerard's School in 1971 and Archbishop Molloy High School in 1975. He graduated from Fordham University in 1979, and Albany Law School in 1982. A member of the Democratic Party, Cuomo was a top aide to his father during his 1982 campaign for Governor. He then joined the Governor's staff as one of his father's top policy advisors, earning $1 a year.[3]

From 1984 to 1985, Cuomo was a New York assistant district attorney. Cuomo briefly worked at the law firm of Blutrich, Falcone & Miller. Cuomo founded Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (HELP) in 1986 and left the law firm to run HELP full-time in 1988.[3][4] From 1990 to 1993, during the administration of former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, Cuomo served as Chairman of the New York City Homeless Commission, which was charged with developing policies to address the homeless issue in the city and to develop more housing options.

Political career

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Cuomo, as HUD Secretary holding a press conference with then Treasury Secretary Larry Summers

Andrew Cuomo was appointed to the Department of Housing and Urban Development as Assistant Secretary in 1993, a member of President Bill Clinton's administration.[5] After the departure of Secretary Henry Cisneros at the end of Clinton's first term under the cloud of an FBI investigation,[6] Cuomo succeeded him as HUD Secretary in January 1997 after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate, serving until 2001 when Clinton's administration ended.[5]

In 1998, Cuomo's lauded work in the department garnered speculation that he could challenge Senator Al D'Amato but he ultimately declined, saying that he had more things to revamp in the Department. Instead, Congressman Charles Schumer won the Democratic nomination and ultimately defeated D'Amato. Cuomo was also mentioned as a candidate for U.S. Senator in 2000 but deferred to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. He was also on Al Gore's short list for a running mate during the 2000 presidential election.[5]

In 2000, Cuomo led HUD efforts to negotiate an agreement with the United States' largest handgun manufacturer, Smith & Wesson that required Smith & Wesson to change the design, distribution and marketing of guns to make them safer and to help keep them out of the hands of children and criminals.[5] Budgets enacted during his term contained initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing and homeownership, and to create jobs and economic development. These include new rental assistance subsidies; reforms to integrate public housing; higher limits on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration; a crackdown on housing discrimination; expanded programs to help homeless people get housing and jobs; and creation of new Empowerment Zones.

Cuomo as HUD Secretary

During Cuomo's tenure as HUD Secretary, he called for an increase in home ownership.[7] He also pushed government-sponsored lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy more home loans issued to poor homeowners, in an attempt to end discrimination against minorities.[4] Some believe that this helped lead to the current subprime mortgage crisis.[7][4][8] Edward J. Pinto, former chief credit officer at Fannie Mae, said "they should have known the risks were large. Cuomo was pushing mortgage bankers to make loans and basically saying you have to offer a loan to everybody."[7] But others disagree with the assessment that Cuomo caused the crisis. Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said Cuomo "was a contributor in terms of him being a cheerleader, but I don't think we can pin too much blame on him."[7]

2002 New York gubernatorial campaign

Though Carl McCall was the favorite of the Democratic establishment, Cuomo initially had more momentum and led in fund-raising and polls. A turning point in the campaign occurred on April 17, 2002, when Cuomo said "Pataki stood behind the leader. He held the leader's coat. He was a great assistant to the leader. But he was not a leader. Cream rises to the top, and Rudy Giuliani rose to the top." The remarks were widely derided, and even his father Mario later admitted it was a blunder.[9]

On the eve of the state convention, Cuomo withdrew from consideration after concluding that he had little chance of support as opposed to the favored party candidate, State Comptroller H. Carl McCall.[10] Later, in September 2002, on the all-but-certain defeat that loomed in the state primary, again at the hands of McCall, Cuomo withdrew from the race, but his name remained on the ballot, as it did in the general election, as the Liberal Party of New York candidate. In the primary, the withdrawn candidate only received 14% of the vote. In the general election, he received 15,761 votes out of 4.7 million cast,[11] handing a costly defeat to the Liberal Party, which thereby lost its automatic spot on the New York ballot. McCall, who ran a poor campaign and failed to resonate with voters, was defeated in a landslide by Governor George Pataki.

2006 New York Attorney General campaign

Main article: New York attorney general election, 2006

Some expected Cuomo to run for Governor of New York again as a candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2006, but he decided against a run when New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer entered the race in late 2004. Cuomo declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New York State Attorney General in 2006, and on May 30, 2006, captured the Democratic Party's endorsement, receiving 65 percent of the delegates' votes. Though Cuomo won the endorsement, former New York City Public Advocate Mark J. Green, Charlie King, a two-time candidate for lieutenant governor, and Sean Patrick Maloney, a former aide to President Clinton, also earned places on the Democratic primary election ballot.[12] King dropped out of the race before the primary and endorsed Cuomo.[13]

Cuomo won the primary with a majority of the vote, defeating his nearest opponent by over 20%. Clinching the Democratic party nomination was considered a significant rebound following his unsuccessful and unpopular 2002 gubernatorial campaign and at the nominating convention, June O'Neill, the Democratic chairwoman of St. Lawrence County, called him "New York's own Comeback Kid."[14] He won the general election against the Republican nominee, former Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro on November 7, 2006, winning 58%-40%. Cuomo won New York City in a landslide, and did quite well upstate, defeating Pirro in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany areas, as well as in Westchester and Rockland counties. Cuomo only narrowly defeated Pirro on Long Island.

Notable work as Attorney General

Police surveillance by the Governor's Office

Main article: Eliot Spitzer political surveillance controversy

On July 23, 2007, Cuomo's office admonished the Spitzer administration for ordering the State Police to keep special records of then-Senate majority leader Joseph L. Bruno's whereabouts when he traveled with police escorts in New York City.[15] At the direction of top officials of the Spitzer administration, the New York State Police created documents meant to cause political damage to Bruno.[16] Spitzer responded by accepting responsibility and issuing an apology to Senator Bruno.[15][17]

Student loan inquiry

In 2007, Cuomo has been active in a high-profile investigation into lending practices and anti-competitive relationships between student lenders and universities. Specifically, many universities steered student borrowers to a "preferred lender," which resulted in the borrowers incurring higher interest rates. This has led to changes in lending policy at many major American universities. Many universities have also rebated millions of dollars in fees back to affected borrowers.[18][19]

Cuomo with Representative Gary Ackerman

Usenet

On June 10, 2008, Cuomo announced that three major Internet service providers (Verizon Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Sprint) would "shut down major sources of online child pornography" by no longer hosting many Usenet groups. Time Warner Cable ceased offering Usenet altogether, Sprint no longer provides access to the alt.* hierarchy, and Verizon limiting its Usenet offerings to the Big 8. The moves came after Cuomo's office located 88 different newsgroups that contained child pornography.[20][21][22]

Capital punishment

Andrew Cuomo opposes the death penalty.[23]

United States Senate

See also: Possible appointment choices for the New York Senate seat

After Hillary Rodham Clinton became Barack Obama's choice for the position of U.S. Secretary of State, Governor David Paterson was charged with appointing a temporary replacement until a special election in 2010 for the conclusion of her Class 1 seat. Cuomo was seen as a leading contender for this appointment (in fact, his name was first mentioned dating back to the 2008 Presidential primaries).[24][25] Caroline Kennedy (the first cousin of Cuomo's ex-wife) was another leading contender, but withdrew for personal reasons two days before Paterson was set to announce his choice, leaving Cuomo and Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as the most likely appointees.[25][26] On January 23, Paterson announced he was naming Gillibrand to the Senate.[27]

2010 New York Gubernatorial campaign

Main article: New York gubernatorial election, 2010
County results of the 2010 election

Cuomo was a candidate for Governor of New York in 2010.[28][29] On September 18, 2009, advisors to President Barack Obama informed Paterson that the President believed Paterson should withdraw his 2010 gubernatorial candidacy, stepping aside for "popular Attorney General Andrew Cuomo."[30] On January 23, 2010, the New York Daily News reported that Cuomo would announce plans for a gubernatorial campaign at the end of March.[31] Later reports indicated he would announce his gubernatorial campaign coinciding with the state Democratic Convention in late May.[32] On May 22, 2010, Cuomo announced his run for governor in a video posted to his campaign website. Cuomo announced his choice for Lt. Governor on May 26, 2010; Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy was offered, and accepted, the position on the ticket alongside Cuomo.[33]

In the November 2, 2010 general election, Cuomo faced Republican Carl Paladino, a Buffalo-based businessman who had been heavily supported by the Tea Party movement. Cuomo won the election for Governor of the State of New York.[34]

Governor of New York

Andrew Cuomo assumed the office of Governor at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2011, succeeding David Paterson.[35][36]

During his first year as Governor, Cuomo worked to pass an on-time budget[37][38] that cut spending without raising taxes,[39][40] made a new deal with a large state-employee union,[41] signed ethics reform legislation,[42] passed a property tax cap,[43] worked to enact a same-sex marriage bill with bipartisan support,[44][45] and restructured New York’s tax code.[46][47] As of December 20, 2011, Governor Cuomo enjoyed an approval rating of 68%,[48] and there was media speculation about a future presidential run.[49][50][51]

In early 2011, Cuomo first came under criticism for proposing cutting all funding for New York State programs that support homeless and runaway youth, which would leave thousands of youth in New York City without shelter beds.[52] Carl Siciliano, who runs a New York shelter, said “Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal is bad news for the 1,600 homeless LGBT youth stranded on the streets of New York each night without access to a shelter bed. These youth, who suffer horribly and whose lives are in danger, deserve the attention and concern of their governor no less than the other members of our community.”[53] Critics also pointed out that according to the US Justice Department, one in three runaway teens without a place to sleep are forced into prostitution within 48 hours.[52]

In keeping with a campaign promise, Cuomo signed same-sex marriage legislation on June 24, 2011 following an "intense public and private lobbying campaign."[54] After same-sex marriage legislation passed the New York State Senate, Cuomo remarked, "The other states look to New York for the progressive direction... What we said today is, you look to New York once again. New York made a powerful statement, not just for the people of New York, but for people all across this nation."[54] In a post-vote press release, he added, "New York has finally torn down the barrier that has prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry and from receiving the fundamental protections that so many couples and families take for granted... With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law. With this vote, marriage equality will become a reality in our state, delivering long overdue fairness and legal security to thousands of New Yorkers."[54]

Cuomo was lauded for his efforts to pass same-sex marriage legislation.[55][56][57] One prominent same-sex marriage advocate stated that “for gay Americans, Mr. Cuomo was “the only national politician with hero status.”[58] In the fall of 2011, Governor Cuomo made a speech calling for all states to legalize same-sex marriage; Cuomo stated that “We need marriage equality in every state in this nation… Otherwise, no state really has marriage equality, and we will not rest until it is a reality.”[59] Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, Governor Cuomo was criticized for describing the viewpoints of same-sex marriage opponents as being “anti-American.”[60][61][62] On July 25, 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the Marriage Equality Act, alleging corruption and violations of the law in the process of passing the bill.[63] The trial court held that the plaintiffs' case could proceed, stating that “clear arm-twisting by the Executive on the Legislative permeate[d the] entire process” by which the same-sex marriage law was passed.[64]

On July 16, 2011, Cuomo finalized a five-year deal with the Public Employees Federation to end pay raises, implement furlough days, and require additional contributions to health insurance accounts.[65]

Governor Cuomo received accolades for his 2011 restructuring of the New York State tax code.[66][67][68] Cuomo also received criticism for including tax increases for high earners,[69][70] and for allegedly requesting a unanimous Assembly vote in favor of the proposal and threatening to campaign against Assemblymembers who voted "no"[71] -- a charge Cuomo denied.[72] Cuomo also received criticism from voices on the left who felt that the Governor's tax reform was not far-reaching enough.[73]

In an interview with The New York Times, Cuomo stated his top goal in 2012 is the reduction of public employee pensions.[74]

Personal life

Cuomo was married to Kerry Kennedy, the seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, for 13 years. They have three children: Cara, Michaela and Mariah. The two separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005. As of 2011, Cuomo resided with his girlfriend, Food Network host Sandra Lee.[75][76][77][78][79]

References

  1. ^ Blauner, Peter (February 13, 1989). "All Star Family Feud: The Governor's In-Laws Battle Over a Father's Legacy". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  2. ^ Barbaro, Michael (November 23, 2010). "All That Time Serving the Public? Very Sexy". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  3. ^ a b O'Shaughnessy, Patrice (September 27, 2009). "Andrew Cuomo: From Horror on the Hudson to Democrats' chosen son". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  4. ^ a b c "Andrew Cuomo bio box". The Ithaca Journal. October 23, 2010. Retrieved November 13,2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Powell" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c d "The (Real) Governator". GQ. January 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2011. Cite error: The named reference "HUD" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ Evans, Judith (November 30, 1996). "HUD's Cisneros to Leave a Legacy of Public Housing Reform". Washington Post. p. E01. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  7. ^ a b c d Phil Fairbanks (August 21, 2010). "Cuomo's HUD career under scrutiny". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  8. ^ Wayne Barrett (August 5, 2008). "Andrew Cuomo and Fannie and Freddie". The Village Voice. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  9. ^ Dreher, Rod (September 4, 2002). "Where the Son Doesn't Follow". National Review Online. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  10. ^ Schneider, Bill (September 6, 2002). "Let a political connection be your umbrella?". Inside Politics. CNN.com. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  11. ^ "2002 Election Results". New York State Board of Elections. 2002-12-13. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  12. ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (May 31, 2006). "Cuomo Wins Democrats' Backing in Primary Race for Attorney General". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  13. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth (February 26, 2010). "Sharpton Praises Paterson, Won't Endorse Cuomo Today". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
  14. ^ Hicks, Jonathan P (31 May 2006). "Cuomo Wins Democrats' Backing in Primary Race for Attorney General". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  15. ^ a b Hakim, Danny (July 23, 2007). "Spitzer's Staff Misused Police, Report Finds". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  16. ^ Matthews, Cara (July 23, 2007). "Cuomo: Spitzer aides used state police to try to damage Bruno". The Ithaca Journal. Retrieved 2007-07-24. [dead link]
  17. ^ Goldenberg, Sally (July 23, 2007). "Report: Governor's office compiled, leaked data on Bruno". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  18. ^ "Cuomo: School loan corruption widespread". U.S.A. Today. April 10, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  19. ^ Lederman, Doug (May 15, 2007). "The First Casualty". Inside Higher Education. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  20. ^ Rosencrance, Lisa. "3 top ISPs to block access to sources of child porn." Computer World. June 8, 2008. Retrieved on September 23, 2010.
  21. ^ DeJean, David. "Usenet: Not Dead Yet." PC World. Tuesday October 7, 2008. 2. Retrieved on September 23, 2010.
  22. ^ McCullagh, Declan (June 10, 2008). "N.Y. attorney general forces ISPs to curb Usenet access". CNET News. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  23. ^ Andrew Cuomo Calls for Reexamination of NY's Death Penalty, Death Penalty Information Center, retrieved 2009-10-10
  24. ^ Chan, Sewell and Richard Pérez-Peña (2007-01-22). "If Clinton Should Win, Who Would Take Her Place?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  25. ^ a b Hakim, Danny (2007-10-04). "Wishing and Hoping for Clinton's Seat". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  26. ^ Hakim, Danny (2008-11-21). "New York Weighs Options to Fill the Seat of Senator Clinton". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  27. ^ Silverleib, Alan (January 23, 2009). "N.Y. governor names Clinton successor". CNN. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  28. ^ "AIG Chief Benmosche Says Cuomo 'Unbelievably Wrong' on Bonuses". Bloomberg.com. 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  29. ^ "Gov. Paterson or AG Cuomo for NY Governor?". www.WHEC.com. 2009-08-18. Retrieved 2010-05-16. [dead link]
  30. ^ "Obama cordial but cool to Gov. David Paterson". Newsday.com. 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  31. ^ Molloy, Joanna (January 23, 2010). "Source says Andrew Cuomo will announce plans to run for New York Governor in March". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 24, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
  32. ^ "Cuomo Said to Wait for N.Y. Convention to Declare Governor Run". Bloomberg.com. 2005-05-30. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  33. ^ "Cuomo Names Mayor Duffy as Running Mate". Your News Now (YNN) Rochester. May 26, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  34. ^ "Long Islanders put Paladino to test as their cup of tea," Buffalo News, September 12, 2010.
  35. ^ Hakim, Danny (December 31, 2010). "Cuomo Is Sworn In as New York's Governor". New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  36. ^ Gershman, Jacob (January 2, 2011). "Cuomo Takes Office, Calls New York State's Reputation a 'National Joke'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
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  52. ^ a b Schur, Catherine (March 30, 2011). "Cuomo's budget plan leaves homeless youth with no where to go". NewHouse Communications Center. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  53. ^ Schindler, Paul (January 22, 2012). "Homeless youth get no love from Gov. Cuomo". Gay City News. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  54. ^ a b c Epstein, Reid (June 24, 2011). "Cuomo signs New York gay marriage bill". Politico. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
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  63. ^ "Lawsuit filed over New York same-sex marriage law". Cnn.com. 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
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  65. ^ Kaplan, Thomas (July 17, 2011). "Union Yields on Benefits in Deal With Cuomo". The New York Times. pp. A16.
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  74. ^ Kaplan, Thomas; Barbaro, Michael (July 14, 2011). "Cuomo Says Curbing Public Pension Benefits Will Be His Top Goal in '12". The New York Times. pp. A20.
  75. ^ "AG Andrew Dating Foodie". New York Post. December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  76. ^ "A TV Cook’s Next Serving? Cuomo Family Style" by Michael Barbaro, The New York Times, May 15, 2010. "Sandra Lee has built an empire with her simple cooking advice, and as Andrew M. Cuomo’s companion, she may soon be hosting parties at the governor’s mansion." Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  77. ^ [33]
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