politics

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced on You Tube his candidacy to run as a Republican against Governor Cuomo, on You Tube.

Astorino, a Republican who has twice won the county executive’s seat in the democratic dominated Westchester County, painted a grim picture of New York under Governor Cuomo, saying the state is “dying” from highest in the nation taxes and among the poorest business climates in the country.

“Is New York winning or are we losing?” Astorino asks in the video.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered something for everyone in his fourth State of the State message, as he faces a re-election year. He outlined programs ranging from property tax cuts to an education bond act, to allowing medical marijuana.

Cuomo began his speech focusing on tax cuts and job creation. He highlighted a plan announced earlier in the week to cut the corporate tax rate, and property taxes , in a scheme that would hinge on local governments freezing spending, and consolidating.

“The highest property tax in the country is in Westchester County,” said Cuomo.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s name is frequently mentioned as a possible presidential contender in 2016, that is if former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton doesn’t run.

But the governor first has to think about an earlier date 2014 and his re-election race, and how to shore up his support in upstate, where he’s been flagging in the polls.  

During the past several weeks, Cuomo has spent much of his time in upstate New York.

Civilian employee furloughs start at Fort Drum this week, as part of the federal budget cuts known as sequestration. Non-uniformed workers face one mandatory unpaid day off each week for 11 weeks. About 1,800 workers – and many services on post – are affected.

Uniformed members of the military are exempt from the furloughs, but that doesn't mean they won't be affected by them.

State lawmakers  finished up their work for the year,  approving a measure to build four gambling casinos upstate and create tax free zones at college campuses.  But the final hours of the session were overshadowed by back and forth skirmishing over a Women’s Equality Act, which ultimately, failed.

The casinos measure would allow four new gambling centers upstate, if New Yorkers vote yes on a referendum in the fall to amend the state’s constitution.  If the ballot item is rejected, then the bill allows the state to set up more video lottery terminals instead, which are slot like machines already legal in New York.