ALBANY — An ad war over Gov. Cuomo’s pension reform proposal was averted as negotiations on an overhaul intensified Friday.
At the urging of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, t he state AFL-CIO pulled a planned ad blitz blasting Cuomo’s plan.
Silver told state AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento that some type of pension reform is likely and that “you’re better off at the table than not being at the table,” a source briefed on the talk said.
AFL-CIO spokesman Ryan Delgado confirmed the ads were pulled but wouldn’t go into specifics as to why.
“That ad is now being held as we monitor the rapid development of the state budget.”
He said the labor group “is ready, willing and able to be on the air at a moment’s notice should we need to do so.”
Cilento, sources said, is under intense pressure “not to cave” on pension reform from his national group, which sees New York as a barometer for the country.
One well-known official said Cuomo has threatened to veto lawmakers’ legislative redistricting plan if a deal on pension reform is not reached.
Cuomo aides insist the two issues are not tied together and that no veto threat was made.
Assembly spokesman Michael Whyland declined comment.
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said, “There are ongoing discussion on a number of different issues, but no issues have been linked.”
Team Cuomo met Friday with union reps as well as legislative officials to discuss lowering pension benefits. Talks are expected to continue this weekend.
Cuomo got an assist from frenemy Mayor Bloomberg , who went on a statewide radio blitz Friday in support of the governor’s plan to rein in soaring retirement costs.
During an appearance on an Albany radio station, Bloomberg depicted legislators as pawns of public employee unions.
And he warned a vote against pension reform would actually help criminals because localities would be forced to layoff cops.
“I don’t think the governor is going to get rolled here,” Bloomberg said. “He is too smart and just too dedicated to this state. He is going to do what is right.”
gblain@nydailynews.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment