Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Cuomo delivered his State of the State address and unveiled his latest budget proposal on Tuesday in Albany.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered the State of the State address on Tuesday in Albany, advancing his “Justice for All” agenda through a series of priority proposals, from infrastructure to education to economic opportunity and more, that he has called on the State Legislature to act upon in the first 100 days of the new session.
Highlights of Cuomo’s ninth State of the State include:
Legalizing Adult-Use Cannabis: The governor has proposed the establishment of a regulated cannabis program for adults 21 and over in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget. According to Cuomo, the program will: reduce impacts of criminalization affecting communities of color; automatically seal certain cannabis-related criminal records; implement quality control and consumer protections to safeguard public health; counties and large cities can opt out; restrict access to anyone under 21; generate approximately $300 million in tax revenue and create jobs.
“Let’s create an industry that empowers the poor communities that pay the price and not the rich corporations who come in to make a profit,” the governor added.
Reduce Traffic Congestion in NYC and Fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Cuomo has pledged to implement congestion pricing to establish a reliable funding stream to transform the transit system and reduce congestion in Manhattan. By charging fees for vehicles to move within the most congested area of New York City and then reinvesting those funds into transit improvements, this plan will combat gridlock and deliver to New York City’s residents and visitors a world-class transit system, the governor said.
Establish Accountability for the MTA: To overhaul this bureaucracy and fix the system, Cuomo promised to work with the Legislature to establish clear authority over the MTA, while continuing to solve the need for dedicated funding and splitting capital funding shortfalls between the City and State.
Protect Student Loan Borrowers: Cuomo indicated that he will advance protections for student loan borrowers by requiring that companies servicing student loans held by New Yorkers obtain a State license and meet standards consistent with the laws and regulations governing other significant lending products such as mortgages; banning upfront fees; requiring fair contracts and clear and conspicuous disclosures to borrowers; and providing penalties for failing to comply with the law.
Pass the Jose Peralta DREAM Act: When enacted, this measure will give undocumented New York students, who are deserving of the same advantages given to their citizen peers, access to the Tuition Assistance Program, as well as state administered scholarships, the governor noted.
“It’s a lot. No doubt about it,” Cuomo acknowledged. “But there’s been a lot that has been bottled up for many, many years that we couldn’t get done. And in many ways I feel the state is now liberated with the Senate Democratic Caucus and we can get these things done and we can get them done together and pass a new budget and I believe we can get them done within the first 100 days to show this state a new reality.”
