Cuomo Gives Strongly Worded Speech At MVCC, Saying Voter Participation Is Needed To Force Passage Of Bills

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Speaking at Mohawk Valley Community College, PowerPoint presentation in tow, Governor Andrew Cuomo drove home his point loud and clear--giving elected officials in Albany until the end of the current legislative session to pass the measures in front of them. From the 2-percent property tax cap, marriage equality, to the ethics reform bill, Cuomo says it's about respecting the voters and making government work as it should.

Cuomo says those in Albany who refuse to disclose their clients or are  unwilling to support the ethics reform bill risk being seen as untrustworthy. He strongly drove home the message saying,"If you're not doing something that you're ashamed of, then tell me what you're doing, and when you won't tell me what you're doing, then I think you have something to hide and it makes me suspicious. So disclose your clients, disclose what you're doing before the state, disclose who is paying you, so I know who you're working for, because I thought you were working for me--and if you're not working for me, I want to know who you're working for--otherwise don't be my elected officials."

The governor says his aim is to change business as usual in Albany and is giving legislators the deadline of June 20th, to pass the bills on the agenda, or risk staying beyond the end of the session to work to pass them. He says it's ultimately about democracy and people rising up to make their voices heard and demanding that their elected officials work for them. He says the state is home to social progress sighting that the Environmental Movement, Women's Rights Movement and the Worker's Rights movement all started here, and says he sees no reason why elected officials can't agree to pass the marriage equality bill.

Cuomo says he plans to stick to his administrations agenda and do what he told the voters of the state he would do saying, "I ran for office, I said if you elect me this is what I will do, I was very specific and I'm doing exactly that--get the budget passed, get the budget passed on time, no new taxes, pass a property tax cap, and ethics reform, and work in a bipartisan way and give them a government that they can be proud of. I believe I'm doing just that and that's what I said I would do."

Cuomo also addressed the students in the audience, urging them to stay in the state, saying their future is right here, because he will continue to work to improve the economy and make it a better place for them to live. However, he says nothing will change if the people don't act, by urging their elected officials to pass the bills in front of them.

When asked about the special election to replace, Office of General Services Commissioner, RoAnn Destito, who formerly held the 116th Assembly seat, Cuomo says he is still looking to find the best dates for it, and several other special elections, that are going to be cost effective to the people and municipalities in the respective districts.