[ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," DEMOCRATS PUSH AHEAD WITH THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET WHILE GOVERNOR CUOMO FINDS SUPPORT.

WE'LL HAVE DETAILS.

THEN, SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER MIKE GIANARIS JOINS ME WITH THE LATEST ON BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AND WHERE THINGS STAND WITH LAWMAKERS AND CUOMO, AND LATER, KESHIA CLUKEY FROM BLOOMBERG AND KAREN DEWITT FROM NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO JOIN ME WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS.

I'M DAN CLARK AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW. "

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW. "

I'M DAN CLARK.

IT WAS TRULY A BIZARRE WEEK FOR ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS NEW YORK POLITICS WITH TWO VERY DIFFERENT DYNAMICS AT PLAY HERE.

ON THE ONE SIDE, YOU HAVE NEARLY EVERY LEADING VOICE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLING ON GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO TO RESIGN OVER SEVERAL CLAIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

CUOMO DENIED THOSE CAMES AND SAID AGAIN HE'S NOT PLANNING TO RESIGN ASKING FOR A CHANCE TO SHOW HE DIDN'T DO WHAT HE'S ACCUSED OF DOING.

BUT THEN YOU HAVE THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS.

.. CUOMO'S PUBLIC PERSONA DURING A MAJOR CONTROVERSY.

HE HELD A FEW PUBLIC EVENTS THIS WEEK AND IF YOU WATCH THEM, YOU WOULD ALMOST THINK THAT THINGS WERE PERFECTLY NORMAL IN NEW YORK RIGHT NOW.

HERE'S JUST A SLICE OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> BECAUSE TODAY WITH ALL THIS GOOD NEWS, WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT TODAY?

>>ALL: HAZEL!

(SINGING) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

>> THINGS IN NEW YORK ARE VERY MUCH NOT NORMAL AT THE MOMENT, IF WE EVEN KNOW WHAT NORMAL IS ANYMORE AND ON TOP OF IT, THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE AT THE END OF MONTH ADDING ANOTHER WRINKLE TO AN ALREADY COMPLICATED SITUATION.

TAKE A LOOK.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THE STATE BUDGET IN NEW YORK.

IT'S DUE APRIL 1ST.

THAT MEANS DEMOCRATS HAVE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO STRIKE A DEAL ON THE SPENDING PLAN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO RING IN AT ABOUT $200 BILLION.

IN PAST YEARS, LEADERS FROM THE STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEGOTIATE THE BUDGET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO.

BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS.

>> I MISS SEEING ALL OF YOU.

SEEING THESE LITTLE BOXES WITH NAMES.

I DO MISS ACTUALLY SEEING YOU ALL, BUT THIS IS THE BEST WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW UNTIL WE'RE IN A BETTER PLACE.

>>REPORTER: THE PANDEMIC HAS FORCED STATE BUDGET TALKS ONLINE WITH THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING VIRTUALLY AND ON THE PHONE, BUT EVEN WITHOUT COVID-19, DEMOCRATS WHO LEAD BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE JUMPING AT THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH CUOMO RIGHT NOW.

SEVERAL WOMEN HAVE NOW ACCUSED THE THREE-TERM GOVERNOR OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND HE'S ALSO UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION'S HANDLING OF NURSING HOMES.

AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING HIS PUBLIC APPEARANCES WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO THE PRESS, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT.

>> THE QUESTION IN LIFE IS, WHO GETS UP AND WHO GETS UP STRONGER AND WHO GETS UP SMARTER AND WHO GETS UP FASTER, AND THAT IS NEW YORK!

THAT IS WHAT WE DO!

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE!

[ APPLAUSE ] >>REPORTER: IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THE CURRENT DYNAMIC BETWEEN CUOMO AND THE LEGISLATURE.

STEWART-COUSINS HAS CALLED ON CUOMO TO RESIGN AND SO HAVE A LOT OF OTHER DEMOCRATS LIKE U. S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER AND SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND, BOTH FROM NEW YORK.

BUT STEWART-COUSINS SAYS SHE'S NOT EXPECTING THAT TENSION TO GET IN THE WAY OF THE STATE BUDGET.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD RESIGN BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO OUR JOB AND THAT WILL ALWAYS BE MY FOCUS AND MY CONFERENCE'S FOCUS.

>>REPORTER: AND THINGS AREN'T ANY BETTER OVER IN THE ASSEMBLY WHERE SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE HAS OPENED AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION INTO CUOMO THAT'S EXPECTED TO LOOK INTO THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS BUT ALSO COVER OTHER AREAS, LIKE DECISIONS INTO THE NURSING HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT PROBE IS GOING TO TAKE, BUT HEASTIE SAID THIS WEEK THAT THE STATE BUDGET IS STILL THEIR TOP PRIORITY.

>> YES, THESE THINGS CAN BE DISTRACTING.

BUT WE STILL HAVE JOBS TO DO AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THOSE JOBS.

>>REPORTER: BEFORE THIS WEEK, IT WAS HARD TO SEE A POLITICAL FUTURE FOR CUOMO WHO IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR, BUT A NEW POLL FROM SIENNA COLLEGE THIS WEEK SHOWED HALF OF NEW YORKERS DON'T WANT CUOMO TO RESIGN OVER THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS AND A COALITION OF WELL-KNOWN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS STOOD WITH CUOMO THIS WEEK AND PRAISED HIM WITH FOR THE STATE'S RECENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS AND HIS HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC.

FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE RANGEL ADDRESSED THE CLAIMS DIRECTLY OFFERING HIS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR WHILE HE'S UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>> THIS IS THE SAME COUNTRY THAT SAYS THAT YOU CAN MAKE ANY ALLEGATION THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE, BUT DUE PROCESS-- >> COME ON NOW.

>> ==AND A HEARING IS BASICALLY WHAT WE BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>>REPORTER: CUOMO ALSO GOT A BOOST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID HE ISN'T CALLING ON CUOMO TO RESIGN JUST YET.

INSTEAD DEFERRING JUDGMENT UNTIL A SEPARATE INVESTIGATION FROM THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS OVER.

BUT IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE CONFIRMED, BIDEN SAID, CUOMO SHOULD STEP DOWN AND COULD EVEN BE PROSECUTED.

>> IF THE INVESTIGATION CONFIRMS THE CLAIMS OF THE WOMEN, SHOULD HE RESIGN?

>> YES, I THINK HE'LL END UP BEING PROSECUTED, TOO.

>>REPORTER: IN THE MEANTIME, BOTH THE STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY RELEASED THEIR OWN PROPOSALS FOR THE STATE BUDGET THIS WEEK AND BOTH ARE SEEKING TO RAISE TAXES FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AND MAKE OTHER CHANGES TARGETED AT THE RICH.

INCOME TAXES WOULDN'T GO UP FOR MIDDLE INCOME NEW YORKERS.

>> WE'RE OBVIOUSLY ASKING THOSE WHO HAVE MORE TO HELP MORE IN MAINTAINING THIS RECOVERY.

>>REPORTER: DEMOCRATS SAY THOSE PLANS COULD RAISE MORE THAN $8 BILLION FOR THE STATE, BUT REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST THE TAX HIKES SAYING NEW YORK COULD LOSE A HUGE CHUNK OF TAX REVENUE IF THE RICH DECIDE TO RELOCATE.

>> IT WILL HAVE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF DECIMATING OUR TAX BASE BECAUSE DEMOCRATS FAIL TO EVER ACKNOWLEDGE THE REAL TRUTH, THAT OUR STATE'S TAX BASE IS HUGELY DEPENDENT ON HIGH-INCOME EARNERS.

>>REPORTER: IT'S NOT JUST REPUBLICANS WHO FEEL THAT WAY.

CUOMO ISSUED THE SAME WARNING THIS WEEK.

>> HOW YOU RAISE REVENUE CAN ACTUALLY RAISE REVENUE OR CAN COST YOU REVENUE.

IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL THE WAY YOU DO IT, YOU MAY ACTUALLY LOSE MONEY FOR THE STATE BECAUSE BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WILL MAKE CHANGES.

>>REPORTER: REPUBLICANS ALSO ARGUE THAT THE STATE DOESN'T NEED MORE TAX REVENUE.

CONGRESS JUST SENT THE STATE GOVERNMENT $12.

5 BILLION AS PART OF THE LATEST STIMULUS PACKAGE.

SOME ECONOMIC ANALYSTS SAY IT WILL WIPE OUT THE STATE BUDGET AND THEN SOME.

CARL HEASTIE SAID THIS WEEK IT'S NOT ABOUT FILLING THE DEFICIT AS IT IS ABOUT LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WE FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO DO REVENUE RAISES IS BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IF THIS STATE IS REALLY GOING TO RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC.

>>REPORTER: LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO PLANNING TO RAISE STATE AID FOR SCHOOLS, FUNNEL MONEY INTO INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE.

THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE AT THE END OF MARCH.

[ THEME MUSIC ] AND THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY ARE PRETTY MUCH IN SYNC ON HOW THEY WANT TO DO THE STATE BUDGET WITH A FEW SMALL EXCEPTIONS.

THAT COULD MAKE THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET EASIER THAN PAST YEARS BUT WE DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW THE CUOMO FACTOR IS GOING TO CHANGE THINGS AND THEN THERE'S THE QUESTION OF HOW WILL THINGS SHAKE OUT AFTER THE BUDGET WITH CUOMO AND THE LEGISLATURE?

I SPOKE ABOUT THAT WITH SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER MIKE GIANARIS.

DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER GIANARIS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, DAN.

>> THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE HAVE THEIR ONE-HOUSE BUDGETS OUT THIS WEEK.

IT'S BASICALLY A REBUTTAL TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IN JANUARY.

AND NOW YOU'LL NEGOTIATE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH WHEN THE BUDGET IS DUE AND BOTH THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY SEEM PRETTY ALIGNED ON RAISING TAXES ON THE RICH.

MEANWHILE, CONGRESS HAS GIVEN THE STATE $12.

5 BILLION AS PART OF THE LATEST STIMULUS PACKAGE.

TELL ME WHY YOU STILL WANT TO RAISE THOSE TAXES ON THE WEALTHY HERE IN NEW YORK.

>> WELL, THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS GOING ON.

WE HAD A MASSIVE BUDGET GAP COMING INTO THIS PROCESS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN AND SLOWDOWN IN REVENUES SO STEP ONE WAS FILL THE BUDGET GAP.

THE FEDERAL AID LARGELY DOES THAT.

NOT ENTIRELY BY THE WAY, BUT LARGELY DOES THAT AND THEN THAT LEAVES THE REMAINING GAP BUT ALSO ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP PEOPLE RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC, AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RENT RELIEF, BOTH FOR TENANTS AND THROUGH OUR RESIDENTIAL TENANTS AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS, THAT IS ADDITIONAL SPENDING THAT WASN'T PREVIOUSLY IN THE BUDGET AND WE TALK ABOUT HELP FOR EXCLUDED WORKERS, PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL AID THAT CAME TO FOLKS OVER THE LAST YEAR, THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL PIECE AS WELL.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEM THRIVING AND OPEN, WE LOST MANY OF THEM ALREADY THAT IS ADDITIONAL HELP THAT'S NEEDED.

IN ADDITION TO THE NEEDS THAT THE STATE ALWAYS HAS IN THE FORM OF EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, HIGHER EDUCATION.

SO THERE ARE NEEDS BEYOND JUST KEEPING THE BUDGET WHERE IT WAS.

SO YES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HELPS US KIND OF FILL THE HOLE IN LARGE PART, BUT THERE ARE ALL THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT THE FEDERAL AID IS COMING ONCE AND IT'S DISAPPEARING AND SO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY FOR, WE'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOURCES OF REVENUE THAT ARE RECURRING.

SO IT'S NOT JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE YEAR AFTER WHEN WE RUN AFTER MONEY YET AGAIN.

>> REPUBLICANS AND SOME ANALYSTS HAVE SAID OVER THE YEARS THAT RAISING TAXES ON THE RICH MAY DRIVE THEM OUT OF THE STATE SO INSTEAD OF GETTING SIMILAR TAX REVENUE, WE'RE GETTING NONE OF THEIR TAX REVENUE.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE CONCERNS?

IT'S BEEN ONE THAT WE'VE HEARD FOR DECADES NOW AND OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE DONE SOME TAX INCREASES IN THE MEANTIME.

>> YEAH, YOU PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT.

THIS IS THE SAME OLD COMPLAINT WE HEAR EVERY TIME ANYTIME SOMEONE ASKS THE RICH TO DO MORE.

OVER A DECADE AGO DURING THE GREAT RECESSION, WHEN WE IMPOSED THE MILLIONAIRES' TAX, WE HEARD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND LO AND BEHOLD, THE DATA DOESN'T BACK THAT UP.

YOU CAN'T JUST SIT THERE AND SAY THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT REAL DATA TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM AND THE DATA SHOWS THE OPPOSITE.

SURE, PEOPLE LEAVE BECAUSE PEOPLE ALWAYS LEAVE.

MORE PEOPLE COME IN.

NEW YORK HAS SEEN A NET INCREASE OF MILLIONAIRES IN THE LAST DECADE SINCE WE IMPOSED A TAX ON THE HIGHER INCOME INDIVIDUALS DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

ALL THE INFORMATION WE HAVE GOES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

THE FACT IS, WE'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUFFERING FROM A HUGE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION, AND WE'RE ASKING THOSE WHO EARN MORE AT A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO DO MORE BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY DID WELL.

ALL THE INDICATORS ARE THAT THE WEALTHY GOT EVEN WEALTHIER OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THE FAIR THING TO DO IS ASK THEM TO FUND THE RECOVERY TO GET US BACK TO WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE.

>> ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ECONOMIC SCALE ARE PEOPLE THAT LOST INCOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I'M THINKING OF TENANTS SPECIFICALLY.

YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT RELIEF FOR TENANTS IN THE FORM OF CANCELING RENT.

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS OUT THERE.

I'M CURIOUS IN THE ONE HOUSE BUDGET FOR THE SENATE, WHAT KIND OF RELIEF DO YOU HAVE FOR TENANTS?

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE TENANT.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS AN EXCITING PROPOSAL IN OUR ONE HOUSE.

WE HAD A PROGRAM BACK LAST YEAR THAT WAS INADEQUATE.

IT WAS $100 MILLION IN RELIEF.

THE PROBLEM WAS SO MUCH MORE VAST THAN THAT.

THE WAY TO APPLY WAS VERY BURDENSOME FOR THE TENANTS THE WAY MANY WERE DOING IT.

IN THE ONE HOUSE, WE HAVE AN EXCESS OF $2.

3 BILLION FOR RENT RELIEF WHICH JUST ABOUT COVERS THE RENT ARREARS THAT ARE ESTIMATED TO EXIST THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND SO WE COULD PAY ALL OUTSTANDING RENT WITH THIS PROGRAM IF IT APPEARS IN THE FINAL BUDGET AND SO THAT WOULD NOT ONLY HELP THE TENANTS WHO OWE MONEY BUT THEN THE LANDLORDS WOULD BE RECEIVING THAT MONEY.

RATHER THAN JUST SAYING NO ONE HAS TO PAY, WE'RE PAYING IT FOR THEM.

THAT WAY THE SMALL LANDLORDS GET THEIR MONEY, THEY GET TO KEEP PAYING THEIR MORTGAGES AND UTILITIES.

HOPEFULLY, PEOPLE WILL STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND WE'LL GET BACK TO A MORE NORMAL STATE OF LIFE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN NOT SO KEEN ON TAX HIKES FOR THE RICH AND NOT SO KEEN ON CANCELING RENT, AND I KNOW THEY'VE WANTED TO PROVIDE RENT RELIEF, BUT I'M WONDERING IN TERMS OF THE DYNAMICS, DO YOU THINK BECAUSE OF THE INVESTIGATION SURROUNDING THE GOVERNOR THIS YEAR, DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THE BUDGET EASIER FOR YOU GUYS?

BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR MAY WANT TO MAKE MORE CONCESSIONS, OR DO YOU THINK IT WILL MAKE IT HARDER BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT AS MUCH COMMUNICATION?

>> IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS BOTH THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY ARE WORKING HARD TO BE IN SYNC.

THESE ONE-HOUSE PROPOSALS ARE CLOSER TOGETHER THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN AT ANY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'RE TALKING WITH COLLEAGUES IN THE OTHER HOUSE AS WE DEVELOP OUR PLANS.

TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN COME FORWARD WITH A UNIFIED APPROACH, THAT CAN ONLY HELP.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT THE GOVERNOR IS GONNA HAVE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR WILL BE AROUND AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO BE HONEST.

MANY OF US HAVE CALLED FOR HIS RESIGNATION ALREADY.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS FOCUSING ON THE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

IN THE RACE TO THE BUDGET, WE HAVE A GREAT NEGOTIATING PARTNER IN THE ASSEMBLY.

NOW THAT ONE-HOUSES ARE DONE, WE WILL SEE WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP WE GET FROM THE EXECUTIVE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE ASSEMBLY HAS OPENED AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION NOW.

IF THEY DO MOVE FORWARD WITH IMPEACHMENT, THE SENATE WOULD HOLD A TRIAL WHERE THE GOVERNOR WOULD EITHER BE ACQUITTED OR CONVICTED.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE RIGHT NOW IN THE SENATE IN TERMS OF HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT A CONVICTION FOR IMPEACHMENT?

IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE TRIAL WAS HELD TOMORROW, DO YOU THINK THAT HE WOULD BE CONVICTED BY THE SENATE?

>> WELL, I WANT TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE WE WOULD BE SITTING IN JUDGMENT OF WHAT IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES THE ASSEMBLY WOULD PASS.

UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY SPECIFICALLY WE WOULD BE JUDGING.

WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW WHAT SCANDALS ARE BEING REPORTED ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE KNOW WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS INVESTIGATING.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO PREJUDGE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE ASKED TO LOOK AT DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS WE HAVE A VAST MAJORITY OF THE SENATE THAT IS ALREADY DEEMED THE GOVERNOR UNFIT AT THIS TIME, CALLING FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

A VERY LARGE MAJORITY OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE AND I BELIEVE ALL THE REPUBLICANS WOULD BE AND SO THAT GIVES YOU AN INDICATION OF HOW THE SENATE VIEWS THINGS.

>> I IMAGINE THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH SITUATION IF THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT RESIGN AND HE'S NOT IMPEACHED BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE CALLED ON HIM TO STEP ASIDE IN SOME FORM.

IF HE STAYS IN OFFICE AND HE'S-- HE DOESN'T LEAVE BE BEFORE THE END OF HIS TERM NEXT YEAR, DO YOU SEE A FUTURE WHERE DEMOCRATS CAN EFFECTIVELY WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR?

>> SO MUCH OF THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED, IT'S HARD TO SAY.

RIGHT NOW, THE ASSEMBLY IS HAVING AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION.

THEY CAN DECIDE TO PASS AN IMPEACHMENT ARTICLE OR NOT AND THEN IT WOULD COME TO US IN THE SENATE.

TRYING TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S IN OUR CONTROL RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET A BUDGET DONE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

IF THIS DRAGS ON LONGER THAN THAT, OBVIOUSLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S INVESTIGATION IS GOING TO COME FORWARD.

THERE ARE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARE OF SOME OF THESE ALLEGATIONS.

THERE MAY BE OTHER ALLEGATIONS.

WE DON'T KNOW.

IT BRINGS ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT SO I GUESS IT'S A LONG WAY OF SAYING I'M NOT REALLY SURE LONG TERM HOW WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS OR IF WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT, BUT WE WILL TACKLE IT IF IT COMES.

>> YOU ARE A LEADING VOICE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

YOU LEAD THE CAMPAIGN ARM OF THE STATE SENATE DEMOCRATS AND OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE THE ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR.

IF HE DOESN'T RESIGN AND HE WANTS TO RUN FOR A FOURTH TERM, DO YOU THINK THAT DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SHOULD COALESCE AROUND A DIFFERENT CANDIDATE TO TRY TO COMPETE AGAINST HIM IN A PRIMARY AND MAYBE REPLACE HIM IN THE OFFICE?

>> WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO FOCUS ON OUR OWN ELECTIONS IN THE SENATE.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE DONE VERY WELL.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST MAJORITY THAT EVER EXISTED IN STATE HISTORY FOR OTHER PARTY.

WE'VE DONE THAT BY KEEPING OUR HEADS DOWN, RECRUITING GREAT CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTING GREAT INCUMBENTS AND FOCUSING ON OUR ELECTIONS.

WE WENT THROUGH MANY YEARS WHEN THE GOVERNOR WASN'T EVEN ON OUR SIDE IN THESE ELECTIONS.

WE'VE LEARNED HOW TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, AND IF HE STILL TRIES TO RUN, I GUESS THERE WILL BE A PRIMARY BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO NOVEMBER.

THERE'S A LOT OF STEPS FROM HERE TO THERE.

WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

QUITE A BIT CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR.

THAT'S WHEN THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ELECTED NEXT YEAR.

UNTIL THEN, THANKS FOR JOINING ME, SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER MIKE GIANARIS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, DAN.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> ALL RIGHT.

LOTS TO TALK ABOUT WITH THIS WEEK'S PANEL.

JOINING ME THIS WEEK ARE KAREN DEWITT FROM NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO AND KESHIA CLUKEY FROM BLOOMBERG.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY HIRING A LAW FIRM TO LEAD THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION.

THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY OVER IT.

THE LAW FIRM IS POLK, DAVIS & WARDWELL AND HAS TIES TO, IN SOME RESPECT, CUOMO AIDES.

KAREN, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> YES.

IT HAS TIES TO THE CHIEF JUDGE JANET DIFIORE, WHO, IF THERE IS A TRIAL, WOULD PRESIDE IN THIS TRIAL.

HER HUSBAND WAS A PARTNER IN THIS FIRM FOR 30 YEARS AND CUOMO HAS APPOINTED HIM TO VARIOUS BOARDS AT SUNY, CASINO SITING BOARD, SO THE ATTORNEY FOR ONE OF THE WOMEN, CHARLOTTE BENNETT, SAID THIS RAISES RED FLAGS; IS THIS GONNA BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT'S THERE'S TIES TO CUOMO IN THIS LAW FIRM?

AND SPEAKER HEASTIE KIND OF DOUBLED DOWN AND SAID, NO.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE FAIR.

WE VETTED THIS LAW FIRM.

THEY'RE THE BEST LAW FIRM TO USE.

I MEAN, PART OF IT IS-- I MEAN, NEW YORK CITY IS A BIG CITY, BUT THE POLITICAL WORLD IS A SMALL WORLD.

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FIND SOME CONNECTIONS BUT THAT'S THE QUESTION WITH THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, IS HE STALLING BY HAVING THIS LONG IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION WITH MAYBE A POLITICALLY CONNECTED FIRM?

ARE THEY SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING ON WITH ACTUALLY FINDING EVIDENCE?

THERE WAS A LEAKED ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC MEETING THIS WEEK THAT CAUSED KIND OF A RUCKUS THAT SHOWED THAT THE CONFERENCE, THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS ARE SPLIT OVER THAT.

SOME SAY, WHY DON'T WE JUST GET TO IMPEACHMENT?

YOU ARE YOU'LL STALLING.

OTHERS LIKE SPEAKER HEASTIE SAY IT'S ABOUT DUE PROCESS.

>> JUST BECAUSE I COVERED THE LAW BEFORE AND KESHIA'S COVERED A LOT FOR BLOOMBERG LAW OBVIOUSLY, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY TOUGH THAT FIND A LAW FIRM THAT DOESN'T HAVE TIES EITHER TO THE CUOMO ADMINISTRATION OR TO DEMOCRATS IN THE ASSEMBLY OR SOMEWHERE IN THE RESPECT OF THE STATE COURT SYSTEM.

TO ME, I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT SUPPOSED CONFLICT AND I SHOULD SAY I SAID A TOP AIDE OF CUOMO AND THE CHIEF JUDGE IS NOT A TOP AIDE.

SHE'S THE HIGHEST APPOINTED JUDGE.

>> SHE ACTUALLY HAD BEEN A TOP AIDE.

>> YES, YES.

>> SHE RAN HIS ETHICS COMMISSION-- HIS, IT'S A STATE ETHICS COMMISSION BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS CUOMO CONTROLS IT.

[LAUGHTER] ACTUALLY, SHE DOES HAVE TIES.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

CERTAINLY THESE BIG SO-CALLED WHITE SHOE LAW FIRMS, PEOPLE SHUFFLE IN AND OUT OF THEM.

THEY GET A JOB THERE FOR A WHILE.

THEY'RE KIND OF A RAINMAKER, THEY GET CLIENTS AND GO BACK OUT INTO PUBLIC SERVICE.

IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR.

I HAVE SEEN MANY EXAMPLES OF THAT.

>> IT COULD BE INTERESTING, TOO, BECAUSE THEY COULD USE-- DEPENDING ON THE TIMING.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION IN TERMS OF IMPEACHMENT IS LIKE VERY VAGUE, HASN'T BEEN USED SINCE 1913, SO NO ONE LIVING KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED-- WAS THERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LAW BEHIND IT.

AND SO THE TIMING OF IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING.

IF THE AG'S REPORT COMES OUT BEFOREHAND PERHAPS THAT COULD BE USED AS OPPOSED TO THIS SEPARATE INVESTIGATION.

BUT I THINK IT DEPENDS WILL ALL OF THEM FIND?

IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE ASSEMBLY INVESTIGATION IS SUPPOSED TO BE WIDER THAN JUST THE, YOU KNOW, THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.

IT'S GOING TO GO INTO NURSING HOMES AND ANY OTHER-- IT COULD BE A WIDE SWATH.

>> ALSO THE CUOMO BRIDGE AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER IT'S STRUCTURALLY SOUND IS BROUGHT UP IN AN ARTICLE BY THE TIMES UNION.

THERE'S A LOT THERE.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THOSE FACTS?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD TAKE MONTHS.

>> YEAH.

I'M THINKING SUMMER IS WHERE IT'S AT, AND THE QUESTION IS, DOES THE GOVERNOR STAY IN OFFICE UNTIL THEN?

>> EVEN WITH THE ASSEMBLY'S IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION AND WITH MIKE GIANARIS THAT AIRED ON THE SEGMENT IN THIS SHOW, HE MADE A COMMENT THE ASSEMBLY, IF THEY DO IMPEACH THE GOVERNOR, THEY HAVE TO SAY IN THEIR IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION, WHY THEY ARE PASSING IT.

THAT MIGHT BE A DETERMINANT FACTOR OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SENATE WHEN THEY HOLD THE TRIAL.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY ONLY IMPEACH HIM IN THE ASSEMBLY, SAY, BECAUSE OF NURSING HOME STUFF AND MAYBE NOT THE MAJORITY OF THE SENATE AGREES WITH THAT IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION.

HE COULD BE ACQUITTED AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THERE'S JUST LIKE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

>> EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

THERE'S WHY MAYBE THERE'S SOME CREDENCE TO MAYBE WHY SOME MEMBERS IN THE ASSEMBLY WANTING TO STALL FOR TIME BECAUSE, WELL, MAYBE THIS WILL BLOW OVER AND WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

ALSO THIS WEEK, CUOMO IS NOW HOLDING THESE STRANGE EVENTS WITHOUT PRESS AND WITHOUT A Q&A.

HE HELD A-- I DON'T WANT TO YOU'LL TODAY IT A PRESS CONFERENCE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PRESS THERE AND THERE WAS NO Q&A.

>> WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT?

>> EXACTLY.

I THINK TOM PRECIOUS OR SOMEBODY TWEETED THAT IT WAS LIKE A VIDEO PRESS RELEASE WHICH I THINK IS AN EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF IT.

KAREN, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE STRATEGY THAT THE GOVERNOR IS USING NOW?

HE'S OBVIOUSLY DODGING US FOR A REASON.

WE'RE ASKING QUESTIONS HE DOES NOT LIKE.

>> HE'S IN A LOT OF TROUBLE, AND HE HAS THESE CAREFULLY STAGED EVENTS.

HE'S IN CONTROL.

EVERYBODY LOVES HIM AND HE WENT TO HARLEM AND HAD SOME TOP AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS NAACP LEADER, HAZEL DUKES, FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE RANGEL SAYING REALLY NICE THINGS ABOUT HIM AS I THINK WE SAW EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

HE PRESENTED HER WITH A BIRTHDAY CAKE.

>> HAZEL DUKES WAS THE ONE THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO IN CASE THAT CONTEXT WAS MISSING.

KIND OF A STRANGE EVENT.

>> THEY HAD A LOVE FEST AND A CAMPAIGN RALLY AND YOU KNOW, CUOMO TALKED ABOUT HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND I THINK IF HE PRESENTS KIND OF THAT FACADE, HE'S THINKING, WELL, MAYBE THESE CHARGES, THEY'LL GO AWAY AND IF I LOOK LIKE I'M GOVERNING AND EVERYBODY LIKES ME, THEN I CAN KEEP, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STILL BE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR HE'S GOING TO GET WITH THAT.

BUT HE'S CERTAINLY GIVING IT A GOOD TRY, ISN'T HE?

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

AND HE ALSO HAS THE SUPPORT LIKE YOU SAID CHARLIE RANGEL WAS THERE AND HE ACTUALLY-- MOST OF THEM WERE JUST IN GENERAL, LIKE WE SUPPORT WHAT CUOMO IS DOING.

WE LIKE HIS COVID LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

AND THEY DIDN'T REALLY TOUCH ON THE ALLEGATIONS BUT CHARLIE RANGEL DID.

I MEAN-- >> HE DID.

>> IN A WAY, HE WAS LIKE WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING AT YOU, YOU LOOK TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO GO BEHIND YOU, WHICH IS A VERY STRONG SUPPORT FOR CUOMO, AND I THINK HE'S SHOWING THIS POWER THAT HE WIELDS IN THE STATE, RIGHT?

LIKE HE'S A VERY POWERFUL MAN.

YOU KNOW, HE'S LIVED HERE.

HIS FATHER LIVED HERE.

I MEAN, HAZEL DUKES WAS SAYING MY SON AND HE WAS CALLING HER MY SECOND MOTHER.

IT JUST SHOWS HOW STRONG IT IS AND HOW ALMOST LIKE A WARNING TO PEOPLE COMING OUT, RIGHT?

LIKE LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE BEHIND ME AND YOU'RE GOING TO CROSS ME?

AND JUST KIND OF ENGAGING WITH-- WE ALSO HAVE THE NEW YORK METS, THE YANKEES AND THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE COMING OUT BEHIND HIM AT THESE VIDEO PRESS RELEASES.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S A STRANGE STRATEGY BUT PROBABLY ONE THAT IS GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

>> THE BASEBALL OWNERS DO KIND OF NEED HIM BECAUSE HE WAS GRANTING THEM PERMISSION TO ESSENTIALLY MAKE MONEY AT THEIR STADIUMS BY ALLOWING FANS IN.

SO THEY KIND OF REALLY HAD AN INTEREST THERE IN BEING PART OF IT.

THAT WAS ANOTHER STRANGE EVENT.

A LOT OF JOKES.

A LOT OF EVERYTHING'S JUST FINE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST HAVING A FUN TIME HERE.

EVERYTHING'S GREAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT IS A DIFFERENT REALITY THAN WHAT THE REST OF NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

>> EXACTLY.

BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, THERE'S A DEBATE GOING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW OVER MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SAID THIS WEEK THEY REACHED AN IMPASSE BECAUSE OF BASICALLY DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED.

HOW DO YOU DETECT THAT IF SOMEBODY IS TAKING THE DRUG?

HOW DO YOU PROSECUTE THAT, THINGS LIKE THAT?

KESHIA, YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND COVERING THIS CLOSELY.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND WITH MARIJUANA RIGHT NOW?

>> YES, WE'RE DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN THE DETAILS.

PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, THE TAXES, THE TAX REVENUE.

I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY'VE COME TO SOME SORT OF AN AGREEMENT ON THOSE BY A FEW SOURCES, BUT THIS LEGAL ISSUE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM.

I MEAN, TO THE POINT WHERE LAST FRIDAY, THEY WERE SAYING WE'RE DEFINITIVELY COMING OUT WITH THIS NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BILL.

WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON IT.

WE'RE TAKING IT OUT OF THE BUDGET.

WE'RE DOING IT SEPARATELY AND NOW THEY'RE LIKE, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HAVE A BILL AT SOME POINT BEFORE THE BUDGET COMES OUT WHICH IS A PRETTY BIG CHANGE.

AT THIS POINT, I'M HEARING, YOU KNOW, ANY POINT TODAY INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT THEY'RE REALLY STUCK ON THIS AND WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LEGISLATION OR TO HAVE MAYBE SOME SORT OF A TASK FORCE.

>> HAS ANYBODY REALLY RESOLVED THE ISSUE OF HOW YOU TEST SOMEONE IF THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY HIGH?

>> YES.

>> THEY HAVE ACTUALLY-- >> THE LAST TIME I WAS REPORTING ON IT, I KNOW IT WAS STILL A DEBATE ON HOW YOU DO IT >> A PROFESSOR FROM CANADA REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS AND THEY USE MACHINES UP THERE THAT ARE BASICALLY LIKE BREATHALYZERS THE PROBLEM BEING THAT EACH MACHINE COSTS $5,000 AND IF YOU KNOW LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN NEW YORK STATE THEY DO NOT HAVE $5,000 TO SPEND PER POLICE VEHICLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S ALWAYS BEEN STINGY WITH LOCALITIES AND THAT WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO RAISE LOCAL TAXES BECAUSE THEN IT'S LIKE HOW DO YOU GET THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE AT THAT POINT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME UNFORTUNATELY.

MARIJUANA IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES.

[LAUGHTER] WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

KAREN DEWITT FROM NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO AND KESHIA CLUKEY FROM BLOOMBERG, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME FOR THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW. "

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION.