Andy’s porkonomics

$200M ‘strategic’ fund raises fear of hidden giveaway

Albany — In his new budget, Gov. Cuomo quietly seeks to create a $200.5 million pot for economic projects, which critics fear could turn into a pork barrel slush fund that he controls. Cuomo aides say the money is geared toward already-announced nanotechnology programs and will ensure that required payments are made after the state fell behind on some last year.

But the budget language does not specify that.

Under the Strategic Projects Program, the money would be earmarked for “services and expenses, loans, and grants, related to strategic economic development projects that create or retain jobs and support innovation.”

“That language does not, in fact, restrict their ability to use this money for other purposes,” said E.J. McMahon, of the Empire Center for Public Policy. “The last thing we need is another discretionary pot of capital pork.”

Howard Zemsky, Cuomo’s handpicked head of the Empire State Development agency, insisted that despite the vague budget language, there will be legislative oversight and that any money spent from the fund would have to be approved by an existing board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders.

He said the money will go toward nanotechnology projects that his agency took over from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and related entities after a federal probe into several of Cuomo’s upstate economic development initiatives led to bid-rigging and pay-to-play charges against nine Cuomo associates, including former top aide and close friend Joseph Percoco.

Zemsky said after a year in which there were project payment delays, “one thing we’ve been very committed to do is square up, honor our commitments. Our intention is to catch up on our obligations. Do it above-board and with transparency . . . and make sure we strengthen the foundations with these important (private) partners so we can move forward.”

Lawmakers have complained Cuomo (photo) still controls money in the budget even after eliminating new noncapital funds they had directed to projects in their districts.

lll A former top aide to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has not joined the Cuomo administration as expected, but instead was given a short-term advising contract.

The News reported in late November that after briefly helping potential GOP mayoral candidate Paul Massey, Maria Comella began advising Cuomo on his 2017 agenda.

But it wasn’t until Jan. 10 that a contract for up to $25,000 with Comella’s firm MAC Strategies, was sent to the state controller’s office that covers Nov. 14 through Jan. 31. No payments have yet been made.

“Maria is a top-notch talent who played a key role in developing our 2017 agenda that will help the middle class, make college affordable and move New York forward,” said Cuomo’s chief of staff, Melissa DeRosa.

“We’re proud to have her as a part of Team Cuomo.”

lll The state prison guard union is hardly shedding tears that Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell moved this year from chairman of his chamber’s corrections committee to head of the tourism and arts committee.

The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association had a contentious relationship with O’Donnell during his four years as corrections committee chairman, union and legislative sources say.

The Manhattan Democrat, whose sister is comedian Rosie O’Donnell, said he’s wanted to chair the tourism and arts committee for years and requested it after previous head Margaret Markey (D-Queens) lost her primary last year.

Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) is the new corrections committee chairman.