On January 8, Governor Cuomo delivered his tenth State of the State Address, themed “Making Progress Happen.” He set the stage by deeming New York as the progressive capital of the country for its results-driven leadership during this turbulent time with a divided nation and polarized Federal government, pledging that New York will continue forward with a robust and aggressive agenda.
The Governor welcomed new Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay from the 120th district, which encompasses parts of Oswego and Jefferson Counties, and Senator George Borrello of the 57th district, who won a special election in November 2019 for the seat that had previously been held by Cathy Young. Encompassing 4,139 square miles, the 57th Senate District is one of the state’s largest and includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua counties plus eight towns in Livingston County.
Governor Cuomo congratulated New Yorkers on the many successes “rooted in reality” during 2019, including increased safety, improved infrastructure, higher wages, decreased taxes and increased jobs.
He laid out a comprehensive list of proposals that spanned drug pricing, education funding, numerous social justice initiatives, the legalization of marijuana, middle class income tax reductions, climate change and numerous infrastructure investments. All of which are being proposed within the context of a $6.1 billion projected budget deficit, largely attributable to Medicaid spending. While the Governor acknowledged the deficit and alluded to a desire to shift some costs to localities and to re-convene his Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT), the details of how to pay for his agenda will be left to later this month when he will release the Executive Budget.
Throughout his address, the Governor referenced the recent anti-semitic attack in Monsey and the need for cultural understanding, tolerance and unity among New Yorkers. His passion and fervor were evident as he ended his speech saying, “And when you try to divide the great State of New York, we will stand up tall. We will stand up unified. We will stand up and we will fight and we will win! Because we are right! And that is the New York way! Excelsior! Thank you, and God bless you!”
2020 State of the State Proposals
- Preventing Individuals Who Commit a Serious Crime in Another State From Owning a Gun in New York
- Banning Fentanyl Analogs to Further Combat the Opioid Epidemic
- Mandating Automatic Manual Recounts in Close Elections
- Closing the Rape Inthttps://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-unveils-4th-proposal-2020-state-state-closing-rape-intoxication-loopholeoxication Loophole
- Banning the Use of Single-Use Styrofoam Food Containers in New York State
- Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for All New Yorkers Through Comprehensive Three-Part Plan
- Advancing the Strongest Net Neutrality Protections in the United States
- Protecting Consumers from Abusive Debt Collectors
- Cracking Down on Retailers Who Sell Illegal Cigarettes
- Eliminating the Pink Tax
- Legislation to Prevent Sexual Predators from Using Social Media, Dating Apps and Video Games to Exploit Children
- Making the “New York Buy American” Act Permanent
- Developing an Innovative Strategy to Build High Speed Rail in New York
- Increasing Transparency in Healthcare Costs
- Legislation Banning Flavored Nicotine Vaping Products and Vaping Ads Aimed at Youth
- Legalizing Gestational Surrogacy
- Combating the Scourge of Robocalls
- Banning Untraceable “Ghost Guns” by Requiring Firearm Parts be Treated as Guns and Have a Serial Number
- Growing New York’s Craft Beverage Manufacturing Industry by Reforming Antiquated Prohibition Era Laws
- Passing the First-in-the-Nation Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment
- Expanding Access to Safe and Affordable Financial Services
- Preserving 4,000 Acres of Land in the Mid-Hudson Valley
- Investing $9 Million In Unmanned Aerial System Experimentation and Test Facility at Griffiss International Airport
- Transferring Pier 76 Tow Pound to Hudson River Park for Reuse
- Industry-Leading High Technology Companies to Create More Than 700 Jobs in and Near Rochester’s Downtown Innovation Zone
- Protecting the Health of Lake George’s Waters
- Rebuilding the Mid-Station Lodge at Whiteface Mountain
- Transforming Buffalo’s North Aud Block
- $300 Million Plan to Reimagine the Iconic Erie Canal
- Creating a 21st Century Empire Station Complex in Manhattan
- Creating the State’s First Comprehensive Education and Workforce Training Center in Syracuse
- Expanding New York’s $175 Million Workforce Development Initiative to Meet Emerging Job Demand
- Banning Sex Offenders from MTA Transit Systems
- Strengthening Relationship Between Local Police and the Communities They Serve