Democrat Pushes To Rename MCB To Republican's Delight

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — State Sen. James Skoufis is the prime sponsor of a bill that would return the Tappan Zee name to the bridge over the Hudson River between Rockland and Westchester counties, much to the delight of a Republican who has agitated over it since it was renamed the Mario Cuomo Bridge in 2017.

Skoufis said then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo got the bridge renamed after his father without seeking feedback or public discourse.

"The long and short of it is our former Governor jammed this change down the throat of the Legislature and the entire Hudson Valley," Skoufis said in a news release. "This has been a pain point for my constituents, and I’m proud to lead the charge to return the Tappan Zee name back to its rightful place.”

The news delighted freshman Congressman Mike Lawler, who as a Republican state Assemblyman spent a lot of time calling for the bridge's name to be changed back. On Wednesday his staff set up an online store selling "No Cuomo" merchandise to raise money for "Team Lawler."

The bill had been first introduced by former Sen. Mike Martucci, who represented much of Skoufis’ new Orange County district. Skoufis agreed to champion the bill in the current session.

In his NY Senate District 42, there are several bridges over the Hudson River, but the MCB is not one of them.

Lawler represents Rockland and Westchester counties in the 17th Congressional District.