Cuomo watch: A boost for minority caucus

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo delivered on a small, but some say imperative, item for the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus. He issued an executive order Thursday to state agencies to provide free interpretation and translation services for vital forms and instructions in six languages: Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, Russian, French and French Creole.

Some minority-group leaders have criticized Cuomo's focus so far on property taxes and social-service spending cuts. So the governor's coming through on a relatively small-ticket policy (costing $1.5 million) signaled they aren't forgotten.

"This policy came about from the governor engaging the caucus," said Assemb. Philip Ramos (D-Brentwood). "He said he would address it and the governor has been true to his word."

-- Yancey Roy