NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A Republican state lawmaker is calling for the bridge renamed after embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo's late father, former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, to return to its prior title amid a backlash over his sexual misconduct allegations.
Assemblyman Mike Lawler is highlighting his legislation, first introduced in March, that would return the bridge — which connects Rockland and Westchester counties— back to the Tappan Zee Bridge.
The bill is currently in Assembly committee, Senate records show.
Lawler, who has represented Rockland County since January, wrote on Twitter Thursday that the findings from state Attorney General Letitia James' independent investigation warrant the name change.
Named in honor of the three-term governor, the Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge was first partially reopened in 2017 before the original Tappan Zee Bridge, built in the 1950s, was ultimately demolished.
Upon its initial reopening, Cuomo touted the new bridge "as much more than a magnificent, cutting-edge structure, it is a symbol for this state and this nation."
However, within the first few months of the bridge opening, calls for the name to return led to an unsuccessful 2018 petition with 110,000 signatures — which Cuomo called "vindictive."
Calls for the governor's impeachment and details of his alleged misconduct have only reignited new efforts to return the name with supporters on Twitter asking for the same move.
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