I don’t take Michael Caputo seriously. Michael Caputo went to, I believe, The New York Times and “Capitol Tonight” and claimed he had the support of the tea parties across the state. That is a lie. I’ve spoken with many tea party leaders across the state. Most are outraged at that remark. I’ve heard from people that went to the meeting, that it was a screaming match, a yelling match, and they were upset that Michael Caputo was even there, stating what he was stating.

We’re talking about a meeting that took place in Oneonta. I believe the date was Jan. 30. … He got up and pushed Cuomo’s budget. A lot of people were very angry. I believe it took place at the Neptune Diner, and I believe they were told never to come back.

I do not. There are too many unknowns. He’s going after education. That is a good thing. That one, I approve of, because 74 percent of these school districts have a hell of a lot of money stashed away. Some things he wants to do are good. But I don’t think he’s going strong enough. I don’t think he’s going after the pensions of these teachers. The tenure part. The unions. He needs to be stronger. Read more at www.syracuse.com

Failed gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino’s campaign manager, Michael Caputo, coined the “Carl Lite” phrase, so I can’t take credit for it.

But however much Gov. Andrew Cuomo might take issue with that characterization, it seems be working, as Caputo’s push to get New York’s Tea Party crowd on board with the Democratic governor’s fiscally conservative budget appears to be gaining steam.

The latest to sign on are Bob and Mary Meyer, co-founders of the Suffolk County 9-12 Project.

The couple sent out an e-mail yesterday that included a link to a recent National Review story entitled “Cuomo the Conservative,” and urged fellow Tea Partiers to back Cuomo’s agenda, even though it doesn’t go nearly as far as Paladino had proposed. Read more at www.capitaltonight.com