Spin Cycle: The Cuomo watch

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week nominated Cesar Perales as secretary of state, thus bringing back another member of the first Cuomo administration. In the 1980s, Perales headed the Department of Social Services under Gov. Mario Cuomo. Other returnees include Andrew "Drew" Zambelli (counselor to the current governor), Larry Schwartz (adviser, mandate relief team) and Joseph Martens (environmental conservation commissioner). Cuomo announced Perales a few days before the April 1 Somos el Futuro spring conference, an annual Latino political gathering. Some groups have been critical of the administration's lack of Hispanic representation. One other Latino heads a Cuomo state agency: Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

-- Yancey Roy