Lawmakers say Andrew Cuomo’s aggressive tactics, scandals fueled calls to rename Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
TARRYTOWN, NY — Before Governor Andrew CuomoThe re-emergence of politics is setting off a new and stronger attempt to get his family name off the old list. Tappan Zee Bridge.
As CBS2’s Marcia Kramer reported Wednesday, though the bridge is named for Mario CuomoLawmakers feel that the way Andrew Cuomo bullies them to carry out his bid adds to the need to rescind what has always been a controversial move.
Since coming out of his cocoon of shame, Andrew Cuomo has been trying to convince people he’s been carried away by the so-called “cancellation culture”. And while that may be appropriate for some audiences, lawmakers who have embraced his strong-arm tactics recall all the way the Machiavellian strategist actually got his father’s name on the bridge.
It is not beautiful.
Representative Thomas Abinanti said: “The former governor tried to sneak in to rename the bridge at 2am as a ransom for the last part of the budget law.
Abinanti has one of two bills in Albany to change the name of the $4 billion double bridge connecting Rockland and Westchester counties. He’s really looking for a compromise, but he says More and more legislators are not asking for name changes because of scandalsAndrew Cuomo’s recent re-emergence in politics, and because of the way he’s brought down their name.
“So is Andrew Cuomo’s 2 o’clock ransom attempt still on the radar for those who remember it?” Kramer asked.
“Oh, I believe so. Yes, that’s the best example of Andrew Cuomo’s bullying,” Abinanti said.
Bill Abinanti would rename the bridge to Mario Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge. It was a compromise, he said.
Another bill from Republican Congressman Mike Lawler that is receiving bipartisan support would “repeat” Cuomo and call it Tappan Zee.
“Honestly, the time to compromise on this has passed, regarding the re-adding of the Tappan Zee name,” Lawler said. “The governor didn’t want that at the time. He wanted to take the last name Cuomo. He, through his own actions – not mine, no one else’s, through his own actions – did dishonor that name and it needs to get rid of the bridge,” Lawler said.
Former Westchester County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino said that if he wins, he will make sure the name is changed.
“There’s no Cuomo on that bridge. I’m going to take off CUOMO myself on day one and drop those letters into the Hudson River and it’ll go back to Tappan Zee Bridge,” Astorino said.
Team Cuomo was not amused.
“With all the critically important issues facing New Yorkers, it’s crazy stunts like this that separate the politicians chasing the headlines from the bureaucrats, the real ones. focus on making a difference,” said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi.
And nearly four years after Andrew Cuomo officially christened the bridge by driving over the span with his mother, Matilda, at FDR’s 1932 Packard, the anger still lingers. Because of the scandal of the former governor, many people do not want to see his name on the bridge.
Irvington’s Kelli Johnn said: “I absolutely want to remove his name.
“I’m comfortable with keeping the name on the bridge. Mario Cuomo is a good governor and I have no reason to withdraw it just because of a certain resentment of his son,” said Cristopher Carthy of Armonk. .
Another said: “Every time I pass by and see the name, it bothers me.
“Bring it back to Tappan Zee. Personally, I think in the end the Cuomo family arrogance changed it,” said Stephen Feleciano of Newburgh.
Lawmakers with whom Kramer spoke said they were not opposed to naming something for Mario Cuomo — something in Queens, where he was born and raised. But they won’t rename some of the projects Andrew Cuomo has embarked on, like repairing John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
