Summary of the Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State address
Source: Office of the Governor
In the past three years, under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the state has reversed decades of dysfunction to become a model for the nation, and demonstrated the impact an effective and responsive government can have on the lives of its people. The state has established real fiscal discipline by limiting spending to 2% and passing on-time budgets, added over 380,000 new private sector jobs since 2010, and reduced taxes for middle class New Yorkers to the lowest rates in 60 years. Additionally, we have made significant reforms in our state’s education system and made New York a fairer and safer state for our citizens.
On January 8, 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo delivered his 2014 State of the State address – a sweeping agenda that builds on the immense success we have achieved over the past three years. To read the full plan, click here.
The State of the State highlighted the Governor’s efforts to:
Continue New York’s successful job growth strategy through property tax relief, business tax cuts, and innovative job creation initiatives;
Transform New York’s schools to provide the highest quality education for all of our children;
Create more progressive, safer, cleaner and fairer communities; and
Reimagine New York State in the wake of recent disastrous storms by improving our disaster response capabilities and hardening our infrastructure to protect against future severe weather.
Under the Governor’s leadership, we have gone from a $10 billion deficit to a $2 billion surplus. Rather than using this revenue to increase spending, the Governor instead proposed to provide additional tax relief for New Yorkers, including significant property tax relief for homeowners and a tax credit for renters; reduced taxes on businesses to make our state more competitive and create jobs; and additional tax cuts designed to help New Yorkers. Click here to read details of the Governor’s tax relief plan.
The number one priority for New York State continues to be jobs. Through the Governor’s tax relief plan, New York will become more competitive to attract business and investment. The Governor will also continue to encourage targeted investment in New York businesses through key industry initiatives and our Regional Economic Development Councils. Additionally, he proposed to host the Global NY Summit on World Trade and Investment to reach foreign investors to increase investment in New York. His agenda will also further revitalize upstate communities by continuing to invest in tourism, bringing world-class destination resorts to Upstate NY, and eliminating the corporate income tax rate for Upstate manufacturers. He also outlined a plan to quickly and efficiently modernize LaGuardia and JFK airports – these gateways to New York are major economic engines and New York deserves globally-renowned, 21st century airports.
Our next step in transforming our schools is to reinvent our classrooms with new technology – to do this, the Governor proposed launching a $2 billion “Smart Schools” bond referendum to help bring all of New York schools into today’s high-speed, high-tech world. Additionally, the Governor will build on his programs to reward our most effective teachers, encourage students to study in math, science and engineering, and make full-day pre-K universal in NYS.
The Governor also understands there is more to do to make New York communities more progressive, safer, cleaner, and fairer. The NY Youth Works program has helped 13,000 inner city youth find work, and for 2014, the Governor has proposed increasing the program to further combat the unacceptable unemployment levels in our communities. To ensure New Yorkers have safe, clean, and decent housing, the Governor’s agenda includes preserving or creating 3,000 more units of affordable housing. New York remains one of only two states in which the age at which youths are treated as adults in the justice system is 16 – nearly 40,000 16- and 17-year-olds had their cases handled in adult or criminal court in 2012, which is why the Governor proposed establishing the Commission on Youth, Public Safety & Justice to provide concrete, actionable recommendations regarding youth in New York’s criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Medical research suggests that medical marijuana may help manage the pain and treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses, which is why the Governor has proposed launching a medical marijuana research program at 20 hospitals to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a medical marijuana system.
To further protect New Yorkers against drunk drivers, the Governor is proposing a three-strikes-and-you’re-out rule. He will also continue to crack down on youth texting while driving.
New York means justice for ALL, which is why the Governor will continue to fight for the Women’s Equality Act. His agenda also includes protection for students against discrimination and harassment, because New York’s tolerance for racism and discrimination is ZERO.
The Governor has also made restoring New Yorkers’ trust in state government a top priority. This year, he will continue to fight for reforms to ensure New Yorkers have confidence that their elected officials are serving them faithfully. He proposed new anti-bribery and corruption laws, public financing of elections, independent enforcement and oversight at the Board of Elections, and disclosure of outside clients with business before the State.
Understanding that extreme weather is the new reality, we need to reimagine New York for a new reality. Vice President Biden credited the Governor’s storm plan as a model for future recovery efforts. The Governor proposed a $17 billion strategy that will transform New York’s infrastructure, transportation networks, energy supply, coastal protection, weather warning system, and emergency management to better protect New Yorkers from extreme weather. Click here to read more about the Governor’s broad strategy to protect New Yorkers from future extreme weather.
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