New York Republican Chairman Ed Cox critiqued Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the state’s economy, taxes and the passage of January’s gun control law this morning in an address to local county chairs.

According to his prepapred remarks, Cox blasted Cuomo’s push to extend taxes past their expiration dates in his $142.6 billion budget proposal, while also not including enough relief for local mandates.

And, in a rare mention of social issues, Cox complained that Cuomo’s priorities have included the legalization of same-sex marriage and gun control, when he should have been focused on businesses.

At a time when New York desperately needs pro-growth reforms to attract businesses and create jobs, what have Andrew Cuomo’s priorities been? Progressive taxes, gay marriage and infringing upon New Yorkers’ 2nd Amendment rights.

That may be good politics for Cuomo’s progressive base and his political ambition, but on the most important issues to New York as a whole, jobs and the economy, Governor Cuomo has failed to deliver.

Cuomo’s budget proposal, it should be noted, does keep state spending within a self-imposed 2 percent increase.

It is still an uphill battle for Cox and the New York Republican Party, which is fighting shrinking voter enrollment and a popular Democratic governor who they cannot seem to find an opponent for in 2014 when he runs for re-election.

But Cox has taken a more aggressive stance toward Cuomo in recent weeks, which comes after hiring a new communications and political directors for the state party.

Senate Republicans, which have worked well with the governor in the practical world of legislative politics, have re-asserted themselves in recent days on a variety of issues, ranging from the extension of the 18-a utility assessment surcharge (which GOP Leader Dean Skelos called a tax increase yesterday) and a brief tussle over Cuomo’s nominee for the state Court of Appeals.

Cox will be a guest on Capital Tonight this evening at 8 and 11:30

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