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Cuomo's resignation, under pressure, means Gov. Hochul, with question marks regarding 2022 race and potential changes from the top; Port Authority staffers blast "non-transparent, politically motivated decisions"

Facing impeachment on multiple charges of sexual harassment (validated by a report from Attorney General Letitia James), seeing key aides resign, and recognizing an inevitable impeachment process, three-term Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned yesterday--effective in 14 days--setting the stage for Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, from the Buffalo area, to take over. 

It was a shocking fall--with a not so conciliatory speech--for such a powerful, imperious governor, whose mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, notably nursing-home deaths, did not affect his national profile, built by daily press briefings last year that contrasted with President Donald Trump's disdainful, dismissive approach.

What about 2022?

That opens up the 2022 governor's race, with Hochul expected to run, with the advantages of incumbency. That said, a politician with a downstate base, including James, NYC Public Advcoate Jumaane Williams, and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio could run, as could state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Note that it's easier for city politicians, elected in odd-numbered years, to run for a state office, and James--though she clearly could be the front-runner--might first seek re-election as Attorney General, and then run for an open seat.

What's next for Cuomo is unclear. The resignation may have staved off an impeachment process that might be said to crowd out other Legislative tasks, and may make it less likely that prosecutors pursue potential criminal complaints. 

Meanwhile, Cuomo has an enormous campaign war chest and could run again for something--remember, after Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace, he ran unsuccessfully for city Comptroller and, as Errol Louis writes, other national politicians have tried to come back. But probably not next year.

Rebalancing the relationship between city mayor and state governor, Cuomo's resignation means more power for expected incoming mayor Eric Adams, whose support for a gubernatorial nominee next year might be key. And if he does endorse Hochul's run for a full term, surely he'd extract concessions.

What about Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park?

I've previously suggested that, based on the Spitzer example, not much would change for Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park, which is moving--intermittently--down a track set by previous administrations.

That said, it's also possible that a more left-leaning legislature might not renew, or might curtail, the 421-a tax break, making future construction more difficult.

But with Cuomo out of office, it might be more difficult to get a legislative "fix," as suggested in March by Steven M. Cohen, Chairman of Empire State Development (ESD), to help the project avoid those onerous $2,000 a month fines for missing affordable housing.

With new leadership at ESD, might it be possible for the state authority to be more responsive to the public, say, delivering promised meeting minutes promptly?

At another gubernatorially controlled authority, well, there's some internal pressure. The Daily News reported yesterday, in Cuomo’s departure leads Port Authority staffers to demand agency halt his LaGuardia AirTrain plan:

”For too long, Gov. Cuomo and his staff have repeatedly pushed the agency to make non-transparent, politically motivated decisions, including decisions that squander the trust and money of our bondholders, customers, and the general public,” said a letter sent to Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton on Tuesday by dozens of staffers.

Hm, "non-transparent, politically motivated decisions," that's never happened elsewhere, has it?

A new day for FOIL?

Could the new state government regime finally start acting on pending Freedom of Information Law requests? We'll see.

Real estate is on board

Indeed, here's a headline from Bisnow: Cuomo Announces Resignation As Real Estate Backs His Replacement.
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