Assemblyman Brindisi Blasts Gov. Cuomo [AUDIO]

Utica Democratic Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi was holding nothing back on Wednesday as he took aim at Governor Andrew Cuomo over the AMS-Marcy Nano debacle and the Governor's proposal for free tuition at state colleges and universities.

On the issue of free tuition: "We're facing some financial uncertainties going into this year."

WIBX/TSM

"Even in his best estimates when the assembly looked at this proposal a few years back, it was way more expensive that what he's proposing right now. So, with this Governor, the devil is always in the details. He gets these splashy headlines but it's never quite what it seems," said Brindisi.

Brindisi didn't stop there. He was equally as critical of Cuomo over the fact that he hasn't come to Utica to speak to the people about the failed AMS chip fab plant that dissolved before Christmas.

"If he wants to be a leader he needs to be there in the good times and the bad. I've also criticized him for not coming here to tell the people of this region that he is going to make

Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, North Country, that looks like Ohio and Wisconsin and Michigan and all those rust belt states that Hillary Clinton just got shellacked in.

this right...It's disgraceful in my opinion that he hasn't. It's easy to be there for the ribbon cuttings and the ground breakings; but, to be a true leader you've got to be there in the tough times as well, and that's something he shies away from." Brindisi also added a comparison to the Governor's father, the late Governor Mario Cuomo, stating that the elder Cuomo was much better at communicating with and facing the people and his critics when dealing with negative topics.

Brindisi wrapped up the conversation with one final shot in regards to Cuomo's political aspirations. "If he really was intending to run for president in four years, it would do him well to focus on [Upstate] because Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, North Country, that looks like Ohio and Wisconsin and Michigan and all those rust belt states that Hillary Clinton just got shellacked in...and If he's successful fixing places like Utica, he can go into Youngstown, Ohio and say look what I did in Utica and I can do that here too."

Listen to the complete interview with Assemblyman Brindisi:

_____________________________________________________________________________
Follow Bill Keeler on Facebook