New York Business Leaders Back Cuomo in Election

New York’s business leaders are endorsing Gov. Andrew Cuomofor a third term, despite the minimum-wage increases and paid family leave requirement that he pushed over the past four years.

The Business Council of New York State political-action committee made its decision after hearing from both Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, the Republican nominee.

“We will continue to support [the governor]’s efforts, recognizing there are some things he needs to work on,” said Heather Briccetti, the Business Council president.

Mr. Cuomo already has the imprimatur of major labor unions, but the Business Council’s backing will help him continue to claim the mantle of fiscal moderation.

Ms. Briccetti pointed to the governor’s spending restraint, in comparison to his predecessors, as well as a 2% cap on property tax increases that he pushed into law and reductions in business and estate rates. She said she was glad that Mr. Cuomo said he opposed a state-level single-payer health-care system, which members of her group also oppose, and that he promised to keep working on tax-conformity issues if re-elected in November.

Mr. Molinaro holds those same positions, and has promised to roll back economic development incentive programs he says Mr. Cuomo has abused and to push to help localities cut property taxes.

Ms. Briccetti said the group appreciated Mr. Molinaro’s positions, but it is “unclear if Molinaro could accomplish that given who the state Legislature is.” Democrats overwhelmingly control the New York state Assembly. Republicans control the state Senate but only with the help of a rogue Democrat.

The Business Council PAC endorsed Mr. Cuomo in 2010 and ’14. It has endorsed both Democratic and Republican candidates for the Legislature this year, but in competitive districts that will determine which party controls the closely divided state Senate, the Business Council is supporting Republicans.

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