Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office quickly released a statement on Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin comparing Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legislative tactics to Hitler and Mussolini, calling them “completely inapporpriate.”

“That comparison is highly offensive and beneath a member of the State Legislature,” said Silver spokesman Michael Whyland. “It is completely inappropriate and doesn’t belong in our public discourse. On the substance, the constitution allows for Messages of Necessity and the Legislature and Governor agree to them as appropriate.”

Silver is an Orthodox Jew.

McLaughlin at a news conference today unveiling a new constitutional amendment that would limit the governor’s use of messages of necessity called the tactics to waive the required three-day waiting period “dictator-like.”

“We were told to shut up and vote and that’s what this is all about,” McLaughlin said. ”Just don’t question it and vote. That’s basically the message here. If that’s not dictatorial, I don’t know what is. Hitler would be proud, Mussolini would be proud of what we did here, Moscow would be proud, but that’s not democracy.”

Technically, the Legislature has to ask for a message of necessity.

Updated: IDC Spokesman Eric Soufer released a statement also calling the statement inappropriate.

“These comparisons are simply revolting. When legislators make comments like this they not only embarrass themselves–they embarrass New York,” he said.

Share|