A reader tracked down an historical reference that proves Roger Stone was correct when he claimed the “status Cuomo” line originated not with Rick Lazio or Carl Paladino, but with Jack Kemp.

Here’s the pertinent excerpt from a 1986 Time article entitled “What to Make of Mario” (that’s former Gov. Mario Cuomo, of course):

“On average, each of Cuomo’s four budgets has grown by double the inflation rate; his 1986 budget is 30% higher than his 1983 budget. The number of employees on the state payroll has increased by more than 24,000 during his administration.”

“Notes William Stern, former head of the state’s Urban Development Corporation: ‘Mario believes in government activism. That means spending rather than cutting.’”

“Jack Kemp has dubbed the Governor “Status Cuomo.” Cuomo, says one official who left the administration, “never tackles real change.”

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