Cuomo TV ad seeks help changing state government

ALBANY - Seeking to build support for proposed changes to state government, Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo will air a television commercial Thursday night exhorting voters to help him lobby lawmakers and to hold them accountable.

Cuomo, speaking from his office, vows to tackle the twin challenges of economic malaise and skepticism about government. He calls for unity and repeatedly thanks voters for their support in the election.

"I tell you now this will not be easy. . . . The special interests that control Albany will not give up without a fight," Cuomo says. "I will lift the veil of secrecy that is now around Albany because I want you to know what the issues are and who is doing what. But only you can hold your local legislators accountable."

The three-minute ad will air statewide and can be found at cleanupalbanynow.com, a new website Cuomo plans to use to galvanize support for his agenda.

A Cuomo aide declined to reveal the commercial's cost but said it was paid for with campaign money. He also said another website would be established for people seeking jobs with the new administration.

Separately Wednesday, Cuomo began a tour of state facilities with stops at Sing Sing prison in upstate Ossining and the Manhattan Psychiatric Center. He will visit more facilities upstate next week.

At the mental health center, Cuomo hailed the state's commitment to criminal justice, SUNY and care for the developmentally disabled. Each system employs thousands of people, but he said the fiscal crisis offers "an opportunity to redesign the system" to be more effective at less cost.

Cuomo dismissed a reporter's question about "rumblings" he plans to propose marriage to girlfriend Sandra Lee, a Food Network host. The divorced father of three laughed and said, "I haven't heard those rumblings."