Cuomo watch: McDonough an unexpected guest

Assemb. David McDonough (R-Merrick) showed up last week at Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's local announcement of a commission to investigate corruption in state government, including the legislature.

McDonough's presence, in the front row of a Hofstra University meeting room, prompted a few perplexed looks and whispered comments. No other current state lawmaker was there.

"I want to hear what he has to say," McDonough explained.

Cuomo seemed happy to have McDonough on hand, mentioning him in remarks about legislative accomplishments over the past two years. Later, Cuomo denied the announcement and others across the state were intended to pressure lawmakers into embracing campaign finance reform.

-- James T. Madore