The last six months may rank among the most challenging for Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 10 years he's been in office, but on Monday, he praised the legislative session in Albany as a superlative success. 

"This legislative session more was done intelligently then probably any legislation legislative session that I participated in and that's from the budget right through the end," Cuomo said during an event at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes.

The session included the passage of a $212 billion budget that saw the approval of a sharp rise in school aid spending, as well as tax increases on the rich, two items the governor did not embrace over his term in office. And it all comes amid controversies ranging from allegations of sexual harassment to questions surrounding the reporting of nursing home fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

State and federal investigations have been launched; Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing. 

Prominent Democrats in Congress and the state Legislature have called for Cuomo to resign and a Democratic-led impeachment investigation began in the Assembly. One of the final bills lawmakers approved last week was a measure authorizing the state to dip into a $150 million fund to pay for the potential impeachment; Cuomo signed the bill on Friday.

And yet, Cuomo came away with some victories despite the trouble he is facing, including the confirmation of two new judges to the state's highest court as well as a range of appointments across state agencies. The state Senate may still return later this month and take up a restructuring of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that Cuomo is seeking.  

Vaccine distribution is nearing 70% of the state's population receiving at least one dose and restrictions put in place to stem the growth of COVID-19 have started to lift. 

And polling has shown a plurality New York voters have not totally soured on Cuomo, including a majority of Democrats and Black voters. Crucially, Cuomo has kept some lawmakers in his corner as well.  

"Thanks Gov. Cuomo's leadership, we're finally able to close the chapter on COVID," said Democratic Assemblyman Al Stirpe during the event at the fair. 

Added Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli: “Governor Cuomo made sure our community got what we needed to make it out of this pandemic, and I want to say something personally. Make no mistake about it: He was the leader in this pandemic. I look forward to continuing to work together.”