Our governor has got some folks scratchin’ their heads. Is he a political dummy? Or maybe super-smart?

Andrew Cuomo grew up within the state’s Democrat machine. Literally and figuratively. He marches in that machine’s parade. But lately he has fallen out of step. He has wandered off the parade route.

One political columnist listed the fights the governor has picked lately. Fights with big guys in the party. He has clashed with the Big Apple’s new mayor. And with union leaders. He supports charter schools — the very schools many Democrats want to crush. He went toe to toe with Assembly Democrats over the budget. By threatening to drain some of the corruption in which they marinate.

Cuomo supports cuts in taxes. While many in his party want to raise them. He tries to cut state spending. And reduce tax burdens on business. Both moves go against the thinking of many top Dems. And … sin of sins … he has cozied up to Republicans in the state Senate.

Some Democrat leaders openly criticize Cuomo. Some spurn him publicly. Some wonder aloud if he can win re-election. Many say they will not support him if he tries for the White House.

So what is going on? Is the governor slashing his political wrists? 
Maybe he has principles. Not likely. When you enter politics in this state, there is a big sign at the door, “Abandon Your Principles, All Ye Who Enter.” Principles are what get sliced, diced, mashed, and pulverized in Albany. Yes, making laws is like grinding out sausage. And you don’t want to watch it up close.

Here is a possibility. The Gov has a better sniffer. He may be picking up scents in the winds of change that others are missing.

Here is a possible scenario. Possible. Nationally, the Democrats get thumped in November. They lose control of the U.S. Senate. They lose further ground in the House of Representatives. The party is humiliated.

It is easy to imagine the fights that would break out. Young Turks would blame the old-line progressives. For leading the party into the wilderness. Hillary is certainly an old-line progressive. Her enemies could begin to paint “Same Old, Same Old” signs on her back. They will remind die-hards: Obamacare crippled the party’s fortunes. It grew out of Hillarycare.

The young Turks would want to push the party away from old progressives like Hillary. And back toward the center. Where guess-who would be standing: Andrew Cuomo.

This scenario is plausible. ‘Tis certainly possible the party could take a licking in November. If it does, the entire progressive wing of the party will lose credibility. Who will want to listen to the guys who ran the ship onto the shoals?

Pendulums swing. Progressives have pushed the party further left for decades. Can you imagine the party saluting JFK’s proclamations today? “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” The progressives pretty much endorse the opposite.

I suggest you Google JFK tax quotes. He pushed for tax cuts to excite the economy. Then imagine Hillary or Obama mouthing them. Their aides would think Karl Rove had hacked their teleprompters.

Back to the Gov. Cuomo may be catching a whiff of some of the above. He may be planning beyond November. He may be loping down a few back streets hoping to end up in front of the parade. If and when it turns in his direction.

‘Tis possible. Lyndon Baines Johnson is often portrayed as a guy who saw politics as the art of the possible. He certainly knew how to get in front of the parade.

From Tom…as in Morgan.

Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta, in addition to his radio shows and TV show. For more information about him, visit his website at www.tomasinmorgan.com

New York is home to more than 900,000 veterans, and some estimates indicate that as many as 72 percent have seen combat. Additionally, New York is home to about 30,000 active-duty military personnel, as well as 30,000 National Guard and Reservists.

Many returning vets choose to start up their own small businesses upon return. In fact, New York has the fourth highest number of veteran-owned small businesses in the country. The New York Legislature recently passed the “Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act,” and Governor Cuomo signed it into law. The goal is to increase participation of service-disabled veteran-owned business and award up to 6 percent of all state contracts to such businesses.

I was pleased to vote in support, and in fact, I co-sponsor a similar measure called NY Jobs for Heroes. I was pleased that many aspects of that measure were integrated into the governor’s program bill and signed into law. This law contains one of the more meaningful reforms New York has made to help veterans in recent years.

The new state law is similar to legislation that has passed in more than 40 other states. It also mirrors federal legislation that includes a goal to award up to 3 percent of federal contracts to veteran-owned businesses.

Every year, the state procures billions of dollars in goods and services that benefit New Yorkers. Each state agency does its own contracting. The new law creates a division of service-disabled veterans’ business development within the Office of General Services. In order to qualify, the businesses will have to go through a certification process and the division will create and maintain a directory of qualified service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and assist state agencies in promoting the use of these businesses.

I was pleased this measure passed. This dovetails on some of the improvements that were signed into law last year, including a tax credit for employers who hire veterans. Beginning in 2015, employers who hire a veteran who has been discharged on or after Sept. 11, 2001 will receive a tax credit equal to 10 percent of each veteran’s salary or $5,000, whichever is less. The credit increases to 15 percent for the employer if the veteran is disabled. The state also recently added a Veteran’s Employment Portal (www.veterans.ny.gov). This offers a one-stop career priority service to veterans and their eligible spouses.

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.