Obama calls for a rise in spending

[hrmjustin]

AP

Tarrytown

With New York's aging Tappan Zee Bridge looming behind him, President Barack Obama challenged congressional Republicans to spend more money on the nation's crumbling roads, see-through bridges and outdated ports or face losing businesses to other countries.

"We've got ports that aren't ready for the next generation of cargo ships," Obama said against a backdrop of cranes that are being used to replace the 58-year-old Tappan Zee. "We've got more than 100,000 bridges that are old enough to qualify for Medicare."

Obama used the major Hudson River crossing point north of New York City and its $3.9 billion replacement project to illustrate a fast-track system he initiated that he said cut the permitting time from five years to 1 1/2 years.

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Obama-calls-for-a-rise-in-spending-5479114.php#photo-6305277

[hrmjustin]

1. Astorino: Cuomo’s ‘petty politics’ behind seating at Obama speech

Jimmy Vielkind

RYE BROOK—Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino accused the Cuomo administration of “petty politics” after, he says, a gubernatorial aide gave away a front-row seat he had been promised for Barack Obama's speech near the Tappan Zee Bridge.

“The White House was very gracious, actually,” Astorino told reporters after a brief dinner appearance at the Republican State Convention. “They had reserved seats for me, apparently, in the front row, and the next thing I know I can't get that ticket.”

Astorino said he and Rockland County Executive Ed Day, both Republicans, then stood in the back for the seat while lower-level elected Democrats—including Senate Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.—enjoyed a block of seats that Cuomo aide Amy Vargas said were “reserved.”

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/05/8545413/astorino-cuomos-petty-politics-behind-seating-obama-speech

[hrmjustin]

2. Democrats go old school Daily News in mocking Rob Astorino over seating complaints

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/democrats-old-school-daily-news-mocking-rob-astorino-seating-complaints-blog-entry-1.1793154

[hrmjustin]

3. Cuomo opo research.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/nyregion/cuomos-camp-prepared-to-define-astorino-before-he-gets-a-chance.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1