You pay for gov's 'ads'
Watchdogs W growl at state fliers, promos
Gov. Cuomo’s raised more than $30 million for his re-election — but he still hitting up taxpayers to burnish his image.
State agencies are buying ads and printing mailers touting the governor’s record.
“We view it as a brazen use of government resources to boost the governor’s image before an election,” said Blair Horner, who heads the New York Public Internet Research Group.
Cuomo is facing actress and activist Cynthia Nixon in the Democratic primary on Sept. 13.
The Department of Environmental Conservation recently mailed glossy fliers that featured Cuomo’s name, claiming that under his “leadership,” New York “is taking unprecedented action to enhance artificial reefs.”
The mailer was noted by Spectrum’s “Capital Tonight” show and “State of Politics” Web site.
While state lawmakers often use government-funded mailers to tout accomplishments to constituents, they are banned from sending them within 30 days before an election, Horner said.
In another recent example, an unknown agency purchased a full-page ad on the back of Aug. 20’s City & State magazine, touting “New York’s Climate Leadership.” It prominently features a quote from Cuomo.
State law bars politicians from appearing or being featured in ads bought by agencies.
“I don’t think it’s in keeping with the spirit of the law,” said Alex Camarda, a senior policy adviser with Reinvent Albany. “When you have the campaign war chest that the governor has, he should use his private campaign funds to run anything that looks like a campaign ad.”
State comptroller records show that the City and State University systems — whose governing boards are appointed by Cuomo — are the only state agencies that have bought ads in the magazine in recent months, a combined $48,000.
The magazine ad is just the latest example of state government putting its power behind Cuomo’s bid for a third term.
Previously, a Post photographer spotted a state transportation truck distributing Cuomo swag during the city’s Gay Pride Parade.
And The Post obtained a DMV mailer touting Cuomo’s contested record on voting rights.
Cuomo’s office defended the mailers and ads.
“The only things the agencies are promoting are policies and initiatives designed to improve the lives of New Yorkers,” said Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi. “All language used conformed with all applicable rules and regulations.”