NEW YORK (AP) – The Cold War between New York’s two leading Democrats is showing no signs of abating.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday did not back down in his ongoing feud with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, doubling down on his criticisms of Albany, rebuffing a call for a “pasta summit” to clear the air and vowing he would continue to call out further obstructions from his friend-turned-foe.
“What I’m not comfortable with is business as usual in Albany, because too often that has left the people of New York City out of the equation,” de Blasio said after an unrelated event in Brooklyn. “When Albany doesn’t listen to what people in this city need and doesn’t act, I will fight.”
The bitter back-and-forth between de Blasio and Cuomo reached new heights – or, perhaps more aptly, plunged to new depths – in recent weeks.
Even as Cuomo repeatedly blocked portions of de Blasio’s agenda, the two men have touted their decades-long friendship. But things took a frosty turn last week when de Blasio, upset with what he perceived was the governor’s lack of assistance for New York City during the closing days of the state legislative session, unburdened himself of 18 months of frustration.