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Should Sandra Lee declare her financials? – Metro US

Should Sandra Lee declare her financials?

It’s time for domestic goddess Sandra Lee to lift the lid on her financial interests if her boyfriend Gov. Andrew Cuomo really wants to make Albany more transparent, good-government groups say.

According New York state law, spouses and children of elected officials must make their finances, including investments, publicly available. But Lee, millionaire star of the Food Network show “Semi-Homemade,” is Cuomo’s live-in girlfriend — not his wife.

“In no way is Sandra Lee required by state law to reveal anything. But do those financial interests have any influence on his decision-making?” said John Kaehny, director of Reinvent Albany. “The gist here is Cuomo should be leading by example.”

Since Cuomo is backing an ethics bill that would require lawmakers to reveal outside income, “if he would ask his girlfriend to reveal her finances, he would have a stronger political hand,” said Kaehny.

New York Public Interest Group’s Blair Horner said he thinks lawmakers should explore requiring long-term partners of elected officials declare their finances, including gay and lesbian pols who may not be able to marry in some states.

“It’s a legitimate issue,” said Horner. “These are 21st century relationships.”