Column by Don Glynn —
Sometimes what politicians don’t say is as important as what they do.
That was the case Wednesday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his 58-minute State of the State message to the Legislature, omitted two key topics covered in his prepared text: Hydro fracking and redistricting.
Cuomo never mentioned the proposed hydraulic fracturing in the Southern Tier that proponents contend would be a major step for creating jobs and boosting the local economy. On a larger scale, the drilling for the natural gas could be a significant move to easing the energy crisis.
Hydraulic fracturing consists of pumping a fluid and a propping material (e.g. sand) down the well under high pressure to create fractures in the gas-bearing rock. The process requires large volumes of water to fracture the rocks and produce the desired amount of gas.
Opponents to the drilling of such wells have raised concern about protecting the environment and the water resources.
The governor didn’t take a stand on the proposal — even in his prepared speech — but he did emphasize that the state Department of Conservation had already received more than 15,000 comments during the four public hearings it held across the state. The DEC is reviewing all the comments and the agency expected the advisory panel’s recommendations to be released later this year.
The second sensitive topic Cuomo ignored was his earlier plea for a long-delayed redistricting. Unlike many other states, as the governor noted in the section he didn’t read, New York’s elected lawmakers have been deciding for years what their districts should look like.
As he has said in the past, such a system puts the interest of incumbents ahead of the public interest. High on his reform agenda has been a call for “an independent redistricting process” that will produce new district maps of the state after each census.
If the lawmakers don’t follow his suggested guidelines to accomplish redistricting. Cuomo has threatened to veto their proposal.
In other action during the program Wednesday, the governor’s VIP introductions included the mayors of the five biggest cities in the Empire State. Although Niagara Falls Mayor Paul A. Dyster was present, he was not introduced because the Cataract City is not in the top five for population.
It was probably nothing but an oversight but the governor didn’t mention “Niagara Falls” when he talked about New York as an international destination. (He did refer to several other areas that deal with tourism.) Tourists spent $50 billion in New York state in 2010.
•••
YEAR IN REVIEW: Whatever critics say about Cuomo’s first-year performance , it must be conceded that the governor has restored a sense of civility on Capitol Hill.
While the inevitable differences surfaced at times — Democrats and Republicans following their party lines — none of the debate or delay this time around tainted the lawmakers as one of the most “dysfunctional legislatures” in the nation.
Fred U. Dicker, the acerbic columnist of the New York Post and dean of the Albany press corps, often describes Cuomo as a “very smart leader” who has a thorough understanding of state politics.
Unlike former Gov. George Pataki, who never seemed to be around Albany when needed (In fact, he joked about it himself), Cuomo conveys the impression of one firmly in the driver’s seat.
Instead of stirring up friction between his office and the Legislature, Cuomo has reached out on a number of occasions to convince voters that the governor and the lawmakers are combining efforts to make government work for the public good.
His popularity ratings send a clear message: His strategy is paying off.
Don Glynn
Related Photos
-
Glynn
GLYNN: Cuomo’s doesn’t stick to his prepared remarks
- Don Glynn
-
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
-
GLYNN: All eyes on Seneca casino plaza
There’s a new breed of sidewalk superintendents in downtown Niagara Falls.
Unlike the typical work site — watching hardhats skillfully putting steel beams in place — all eyes Saturday were glued to tightrope artist Nick Wallenda strolling on a 2-inch cable linked to two giant construction cranes.
-
GLYNN: Where Wallenda starts walk still up in the air
Which way will Nik Wallenda walk?
Will he begin his highly touted tightrope performance June 15 at Terrapin Point on Goat Island and proceed past the Horseshoe Falls to his destination near the Table Rock House? Or will he start from the Canadian side and stroll to the U.S.
-
GLYNN: Age not an issue for Slaughter
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, whose district previously included the Niagara area, may be sidelined with a broken leg but she hasn’t lost her sense of humor.
-
GLYNN: Politics front and center in state park
If you watched that press conference from Prospect Park on Wednesday, you may have first wondered what it was all about.
-
GLYNN: Cuomo coy on future plans
It was a page out of the past last week when a reporter asked Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo a familiar question.
-
GLYNN: Ex-private eye helps in dog tags mystery
Over the years Paul Austin of Ransomville has often walked along the Lake Ontario shoreline north of Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown.
-
GLYNN: Press corps dean plans Cuomo book
Whenever there’s talk that someone is writing a book about a high-profile public servant (e.g. a governor), it gives rise to speculation there’s more to the subject than what meets the eye.
- More Don Glynn Headlines
-
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
