Politics on the Hudson

Rob Astorino, the Republican candidate for Westchester County executive, today called on leaders in the New York State Senate — Democrats and Republicans — to resign their leadership posts if they can’t resolve their differences by Friday.

Because the stakes are high for places like Westchester, Astorino said a resolution was needed. He said the paralysis has real consequences for working people and called on leaders to actually lead. By failing to pass the income tax surcharge and mortgage recording tax extensions, routine renewals in Albany every two years, the City of Yonkers alone would lose $15 million, Astorino said.

“The Senate leadership fight is adversely affecting counties throughout New York State and it needs to be resolved now,” Astorino said in a statement. “Whatever the reason, the current leaders of the Republican and Democratic conferences cannot come to an agreement, so it is time to let others try. It’s time for new leaders in Albany to put the state’s interests ahead of partisan interests. This hyper-partisanship has gone on long enough.”