It seems Gov. Andrew Cuomo can govern New York all by himself. He doesn't need the Legislature; it just gets in the way. And local laws are fine as long as they don't interfere with his plans.
Cuomo announced he preferred to roll out the sure-to-be controversial decision on hydrofracking while he has Albany all to himself. In a radio interview with WGDJ-AM, he said: "I think it's actually better that we do it when the Legislature is not here because I don't want a political discussion."
That remark came just a week after he indicated that lawfully enacted municipal ordinances might be swept away if they get in the way of expanding fracking operations throughout the state.
"Yes, you could override local government," he said to the same radio station, "or you could say, 'Well, we're going to respect home rule if it is coincident with the obvious and necessary ramp-up period anyway.'"
BRUCE FERGUSON
Callicoon Center