Political positions of Andrew Cuomo

The political positions of Andrew Cuomo have been reported from his career as Governor of New York, Attorney General of New York, and in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (including as the Secretary). Some of these policy positions have changed, while others remain unchanged.

Economic policy

COVID-19 pandemic

Cuomo came to increased national prominence for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic as Governor of New York. New York was particularly hard-hit by the virus, and Cuomo took strong positions in favor of restrictions to combat the virus. During this time, he was also noted for his feud with President Donald Trump and the federal government's "failed response" to the pandemic.

Minimum wage

Cuomo supported raising the minimum wage as Governor of New York. He announced a phase-in plan to slowly transition to a $15 minimum wage.[1] Some criticized the policy for largely leaving out tipped workers, as restaurant workers were not included in the bill.[2][3]

Cuomo is a strong supporter of paid family leave. He was instrumental in getting a family leave policy passed in New York.[4] He claimed in 2018 that New York's program was the best in the country.[5][6] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo referred to the supposed success of his family leave policy and how effective he claimed it to be in fighting the virus.

Foreign policy

Social policy

Abortion

Cuomo has consistently supported the right to choose. In response to a Donald Trump claim on late-term abortion, Cuomo expressed that he believes late-term abortions are very rare, and he only supports them in the case of a non-viable fetus.[7]

Drugs

Cuomo has supported the decriminalization of marijuana for most of his career, and signed a major bill to further this goal in 2019.[8][9] In 2020, Cuomo supported fully legalizing marijuana in New York within the year.[10]

Cuomo was given a rating of C- by NORML in 2016, indicating hardline anti-drug stances. Some, however, have claimed he has become more liberal on drug policy over time. In 2020, NORML gave Cuomo a rating of an A, much higher than most American governors.[11]

Gun control

Cuomo has been characterized as, and describes himself as, being one of the toughest gun control legislators.[12][13] He has repeatedly touted New York as a model for gun control legislation.[14][15] He has pushed for national gun control legislation in the same vein.[16]

In 2020, Cuomo's budget included six new gun control bills, and more than two dozen sat in the state legislature.[17] Gun manufacturer Remington offered to assist in New York's COVID-19 response, but Cuomo did not respond.[18]

Same-sex marriage
Cuomo at NYC Pride March in 2013

In keeping with a campaign promise, Cuomo signed same-sex marriage legislation on June 24, 2011, following an "intense public and private lobbying campaign", and later called for all states to do the same.[19] Cuomo was lauded for his efforts to pass same-sex marriage legislation.[20][21][22] One prominent advocate stated that "for gay Americans, Mr. Cuomo was "the only national politician with hero status."[21] Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, Cuomo was criticized for describing the viewpoints of same-sex marriage opponents as being "anti-American."[23][24] On July 25, 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the Marriage Equality Act, alleging corruption and violations of the law in the process of passing the bill.[25] The trial court initially held that the plaintiffs' case could proceed, but the decision was reversed on appeal.[26]

Cuomo ordered a boycott of Indiana and North Carolina to protest their anti-LGBT laws.[27]

References
  1. Governor Andrew Cuomo - "Governor Cuomo Announces $15 Minimum Wage Phase-In to Continue in 2020 Following DOB Analysis Showing Ongoing Economic Strength"
  2. New York Magazine - "Why Restaurant Workers Are Protesting New York's Minimum Wage Plan"
  3. Eater New York - "New York Raises Wages for Tipped Workers -- But Leaves Restaurants Out"
  4. HuffPost - "New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Makes Emotional Plea For Paid Family Leave"
  5. PolitiFact - "Cuomo: New York's paid family leave is best"
  6. Governor Andrew Cuomo - "Governor Cuomo Announces Successful First Year of Nation's Strongest Paid Family Leave"
  7. NBC News - "State of the Union fact check: What's true and false in Trump's address"
  8. CNN - "NY governor signs legislation further decriminalizing marijuana use"
  9. Governor Andrew Cuomo - "Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana Use"
  10. The New York Times - "Marijuana Will Be Legalized in New York in 2020, Cuomo Vows"
  11. New York Upstate - "Cuomo earns a top rating from marijuana reform group"
  12. PolitiFact - "Cuomo claims his gun control law is toughest"
  13. RedState - "Andrew Cuomo's Gun Control Proposal Even Scares The Left"
  14. Syracuse.com - "Gov. Andrew Cuomo touts New York as model on gun control"
  15. Advocates for Self Government - Andrew Cuomo Unveils New Gun Control Program"
  16. Spectrum News - "Cuomo Announces New National Gun Control Platform Push"
  17. Newsday - "Cuomo, Democrats creating watershed session for gun control"
  18. Townhall - "Gov. Andrew Cuomo Has Not Yet Accepted Remington's Offer To Help With PPE, Ventilators"
  19. Epstein, Reid (June 24, 2011). "Cuomo signs New York gay marriage bill". Politico. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  20. "Gossip". Daily News. New York.
  21. Kaplan, Thomas (December 1, 2011). "Cuomo Fund Fills With Money From Thankful Gay Donors". The New York Times.
  22. Kaplan, Thomas (October 27, 2011). "Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Calls for Same-Sex Marriage in All States". The New York Times.
  23. Bolcer, Julie (October 25, 2011). "Gay Marriage Opponents Want Apology from Cuomo". The Advocate. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  24. "Burling: Cuomo "Doesn't Scare Me" | Politics on the Hudson". Polhudson.lohudblogs.com. December 9, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  25. "Lawsuit filed over New York same-sex marriage law". CNN. July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  26. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms v. New York State Senate, 98 A.D.3d 285, 297, 948 N.Y.S.2d 787, 797 leave to appeal denied, 19 N.Y.3d 814, 979 N.E.2d 813 (2012)
  27. "In Case Brought by School Speech Pathologist, Texas Federal Court Becomes the Third to Strike Down Pro-Israel Oath as Unconstitutional". The Intercept. April 16, 2019.
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