Capital Confidential: Astorino's 'pay-to-play' contributions

Update: While Cuomo and Astorino are busy bashing each other, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is bashing both. 

Hawkins on pay to play

Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and challenger Rob Astorino, a Republican, accuse each other of using their offices to benefit supporters. Howie Hawkins of the Green Party says both are right.

Put the debates on TV and include me in all of 'em

Howie Hawkins has something to say about the debate about debates.

The Green Party candidate for governor held a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to call for approval of an independent commission — part of campaign finance system — to set up debates for governor and for inclusion in the debate proposed by the Wall Street Journal and WNYC and also for that debate to be televised.

Not Exactly A Campaign Of Ideas

At this point, the wonk of the race is Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Hawkins: all NY gov debates should be televised

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says the debates in the New York governor's race should be televised and should include all candidates qualified for the ballot.

Hawkins came in third in the 2010 race and faces Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Rob Astorino in November's election.

Cuomo, Astorino trade barbs over pay to play

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins labeled Astorino and Cuomo as "hypocrites," saying their campaigns are both fueled by big-money interests. He said the state needs a broad public-campaign-financing system to limit money in politics.

"For once Cuomo and Astorino are both right -- and both guilty," Hawkins said in a statement. "They are both right about the other participating in pay-to-play contributions-for-contracts. They are both hypocrites for calling out the other for unethical transactions in which they themselves participate."

Students, New York gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins rally for divestment at SU

Around 80 members of the Syracuse University community gathered on the steps of Hendricks Chapel Tuesday afternoon with one goal: to end the university's reliance on fossil fuels.

They were joined by Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, who was the final speaker at the rally and spoke for about six minutes.

"You can make a difference. Don't ever believe you can't. So keep on keepin' on," Hawkins said.

Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for New York governor, speaks at the divestment rally on the Quad on Tuesday afternoon. At the rally, Syracuse University community members called for the university to end its reliance on fossil fuels. Spencer Bodian | Staff Photographer