Andrew Cuomo Sworn in As New York’s 56th Governor

ALBANY — Andrew Cuomo became New York’s 56th governor at a stroke after midnight Saturday morning, making him the first son to follow his father into the office.

“I am honored and humbled to accept this tremendous responsibility,” Cuomo said.

“The time has come to return integrity, performance, and dignity to New York and make it the Empire State once again.

”I look forward to getting to work right away for the people of our great state.“

With his father, former three-term Gov.Mario Cuomo, mom Matilda, siblings and children looking on, Cuomo took the oath of office in the governor’s mansion at 10:09 p.m. during a private ceremony.

Cuomo’s gal pal, Food Network celebrity Sandra Lee, held the Bible he rested his hand on last night to take the gubernatorial oath. It’s the same Bible he used four years ago when he was sworn in as attorney general.

The ceremony took place in the mansion’s main receiving hall in front of an ornate fireplace.

Cuomo’s ascension became official just after midnight, when his signed, notarized oath filed with the secretary of state’s office took effect.

For Cuomo, President Bill Clinton’s ex-federal housing secretary, his climb to the governor’s office fulfills a lifelong dream.

He first ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 2002. His father was New York’s 52nd governor, having served three terms from 1983 to 1994.

He replaces David Paterson, the overmatched Harlem Democrat who assumed the job after the hooker-happy Eliot Spitzer resigned in March 2008 amid a sex scandal.

Cuomo now takes the reins of a state government that is considered broken and dysfunctional – and in ethical disarray.

His first task will be to address the state’s $9 billion budget deficit – a gap he’s proposed closing through unpopular cuts to education and health care, as well as caps on state spending and property taxes. He has ruled out imposing new taxes.

Cuomo is set to hit the ground running this morning with a scheduled 8:30 a.m. staff meeting at the state Capitol.

He’ll follow the strategy sessions with an austere public inauguration ceremony at the Capitol that will cost no more than $40,000 – a tab that will be picked up by his campaign.

Of the five living ex-governors, only Mario Cuomo and Paterson were invited to today’s inaugural ceremonies.

The new governor is expected to give a short opening address, focusing on his main campaign themes of reengaging the public and restoring government integrity.

He’ll touch on the ethical problems that have plagued the state in recent years – and highlight ways New York can do better.

Cuomo also will address the state fiscal crisis and economic turmoil that has driven jobs – and residents – from the state, the aide said.

After his speech, Cuomo will greet about 300 members of the public at the mansion.

The Cuomos last night returned en masse to the historic home up the road from the Capitol. About 40 family members, including Cuomo’s parents, three daughters, siblings, and aunts and uncles, enjoyed a buffet dinner consisting of pasta and chicken – and New York wines.

Lee, also was there, though she left the cooking and recipes to the mansion staff.

In her latest blog entry, Lee wrote of this being ”the most special New Year of all“ as her ”sweetheart“ was set to be sworn in as governor.

”To us, it’s a countdown to start working on making N.Y. State and our country a better place,” she wrote.