#Scrub Cuomo’s name from glorious bridge

This week, Gov. Cuomo was forced to resign after years of bullying, abuse, harassment, and predatory sexual behavior, all of which was corroborated in the attorney general’s report.

He disgraced himself and his family name, which is exactly why we need to rename the bridge which is adorned with his father’s name.

In 2017, Andrew Cuomo made a behind-closed-doors effort to put his family name on the Tappan Zee Bridge, erasing the Native American and Dutch history of the region, in an ego-driven deal made in the dead of night, made without any local input.

The simple truth is Gov. Cuomo viewed the new bridge as one of his greatest accomplishments. If he could have, he would have named it the Andrew M. Cuomo Bridge. He couldn’t, so instead he settled for his late father, Mario M. Cuomo. It was wrong then and it is wrong today.

That’s why I’ve introduced Bill A.6594, which would change the name of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge back to its rightful name, the Tappan Zee Bridge.

I urge each and every one of my colleagues in the Assembly to back this piece of legislation, so that we can remove the stain of the Cuomo name and turn the page on Andrew Cuomo.

No one, especially survivors of sexual harassment and assault, should have to travel over the Cuomo Bridge and be reminded of Andrew’s horrible, perverted, predatory actions.

Let’s do the right thing, recognize the Native American and Dutch history of the Hudson Valley region, and restore decency and a neutral name to one of our state’s most iconic bridges.

Assemblyman Mike Lawler is a Republican representing the 97th District in Rockland County.