Former Gov. George Pataki said in an interview with the conservative website and publication Newsmax that state lawmakers should oppose Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s push to enhance abortion and reproductive rights in New York.

I don’t think it should be controversial. It should just be rejected,’’ Pataki told Newsmax.

“This is partial birth abortion…It is the wrong thing to do and I hope that the legislature in its wisdom takes a hard look at this and decides that New York should not.’’

Update: A Cuomo administration official sends over this response to say:

“Former Governor Pataki clearly either doesn’t know or understand the Governor’s position.”

“Nothing the governor will propose would expand access to abortion but rather only codify existing rights under federal law and court precedent in to state law.”

The interview was highlighted by The Chiaroscuro Foundation, a group opposed to abortion that has touted its own poll highlighting opposition.

“An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers agree with Governor Pataki that increasing the number of abortions in New York – especially third-term abortions – is not what we want to do,” said foundation Prsident Greg Pfundstein.

“We released a comprehensive survey last week on the opinions of New Yorkers on the issues surrounding abortion and it was clear that both pro-life and pro-choice men and women oppose late-term abortions. Governor Pataki is correct; this should not be controversial: The abortion expansion plan in Albany should itself be terminated.”

The interview comes after an uptick in the conservative press criticizing Cuomo’s support for the Reproductive Health Act, which supporters say updates the state’s abortion rights laws in order to codify the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

Cuomo on Sunday said he would write his own reproductive health measure, which is part of an overall package of women’s equality bills that include pay equity and provisions to strengthen violence against women laws, along with new propsoals to prevent workplace discrimination.

Pataki’s position on abortion is actually quite moderate, with groups on either side not especially in love with his position, and it has been seen as hindrance for the former governor whenever he has considered making a run for national office.

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