Cuomo’s 14-day gov-in-waiting period ‘not what I asked for,’ says Kathy Hochul

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul wishes Gov. Andrew Cuomo would not stick around for 14 days after announcing his resignation — saying Wednesday that his decision to give two weeks notice was not her choice.

“It’s not what I asked for,” said Hochul of the disgraced governor’s plan to have a 14-day transition period after quitting in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.

“However, I’m looking forward to a smooth transition, which he promised.”

Hochul insisted she’s ready right now — and has been for years — to serve as the state’s chief executive.

“They viewed it as necessary. I’m prepared to take office, as any lieutenant governor is, from the very first hour you’re sworn in as lieutenant governor,” Hochul explained during a press conference in Albany, where she spoke publicly for the first time since Cuomo Wednesday said he’ll leave office.

In a bizarre decision, Cuomo said Tuesday that he’s stepping aside — but won’t leave office until 14 days later. In contrast, after former Gov. Elliot Spitzer resigned amid a sex scandal, David Paterson assumed the top position in New York State government just five days later.

Spitzer resigned on the 12th but it didn’t take effect until the 17th.

Hochul recalled that the current governor told her the gap between Cuomo announcing he’ll leave the governor’s mansion due to the fallout from the state Attorney General’s probe and her taking over is aimed at encouraging “continuity.”

“He spoke to me about wanting to make sure that the transition — that continuity is important, that I have an opportunity to meet the cabinet officials, other people as well,” she said.

Hochul promised to “take advantage” of the gap and to “engage with the people of the state of New York.”

“At the end of the 14 days,” she said, “I look forward to coming back to a venue like this and to make sure that we are ready to deal with all the challenges that we face.”

Additional reporting by Carl Campanile