Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is just not letting Kathy Hochul — or voters — neglect his function in what she is now claiming as her accomplishment.
Hochul celebrated completion of the long-sought Lengthy Island Rail Highway third growth Monday, which was championed by her disgraced predecessor and benefactor together with the MTA.
Cuomo’s identify was not uttered on the “All board” Hochul press convention, however the former three-term Democrat made certain to take a bow proper afterwards.
“I thank my workforce who after actually a long time of discuss that remained discuss due to native and legislative opposition, did the work, acquired the funding handed, addressed native issues and acquired the Third Observe off the bottom,” Cuomo stated in a tweet and a press release launched to reporters.
“It was a protracted and troublesome struggle, but it surely was the fitting one that can profit present and future generations of Lengthy Islanders.”
Cuomo introduced a revised model of the LIRR’s third rail undertaking in 2016.
Hochul did give credit score to the “previous administration” — during which she served as lieutenant governor — however didn't utter Cuomo’s identify throughout a ceremonial ribbon reducing in Westbury.
“I perceive that this idea of a Third Observe really dates again to a Newsday column within the Forties,” Hochul stated.
Hochul, who's going through off in opposition to Lengthy Island Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin in a more durable than anticipated governor’s race, even credited native GOPers for pushing the undertaking.
“There’s been elected officers. I give credit score to the previous administration, this began beneath my predecessor. Additionally, on the time, Majority Chief John Flanagan was actually a driver behind this undertaking. I need to thank him for ensuring that the sources had been there,” she stated, referring to the previous state senator from Lengthy Island.
One Cuomo confidante sniffed, “One in all nowadays Hochul goes to expire of Cuomo tasks to chop the ribbon on and we’ll see if the federal government can operate.”
However MTA chairman Janno Lieber, who labored with Cuomo, talked up Hochul’s function in getting the undertaking to the end line.
“You had been gracious to acknowledge the oldsters who labored on this earlier than you grew to become the governor, however let me let you know, Kathy Hochul was right here lengthy earlier than she grew to become the governor ….. . You had been right here. You had been on high of this undertaking from very early on.”
The brand new 9.8-mile observe runs from Floral Park to Hicksville, giving the LIRR extra flexibility to stop disruptions and develop service by 41 % systemwide when the Grand Central Madison cease opens later this 12 months.
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