Cuomo’s State-of-State gains bipartisan support among county executives

Cuomo laid out his $145-billion 2016 state budget in his “State of the State” message here on Wednesday afternoon. “Unlike school aid and other forms of aid, that has not been corrected since then”. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, who previously chaired the Education Committee, has said that it is essential to do away with the cuts to education funding. Republicans want to eliminate a policy that takes back some school aid to balance the state budget, a practice they say hits wealthier and suburban districts the hardest. Whereas rhetoric will soar on a political side for the next couple of days over some of the proposals, I am excited to finally have a plan in front of us to evaluate and negotiate for the benefit of the people I represent in the 108th Assembly District and throughout New York State. The proposals range from $2.4 billion to $2.9 billion more.

His list of priorities is not short – rebuilding LaGuardia Airport, constructing the Gateway Tunnel, expanding the Javits Center, investing billions in our roads and bridges, as well as revitalizing New York’s mass transit system – but with his leadership, we can continue to accomplish greatness.

O’Mara does support another of Cuomo’s ethics reform proposals that calls for stripping pensions from public officials who are convicted of corruption.

“Shelters which they find as unsanitary or otherwise unfit will be subject to contract cancellation, operator replacement, immediate remediation or closure”, Cuomo said.

In an interview with WNYC-FM in Manhattan, Cuomo made the case for a congressional-style limit on state lawmakers, capping their maximum outside income at 15 percent of their state salary.

The Business Council also has concerns about Cuomo’s proposal for paid family leave, a measure which would grant up to 12 weeks of paid time off for workers caring for sick loved ones or a new child.

Cuomo also renewed calls for raising the minimum wage to $15, cutting small-business taxes, freezing Thruway tolls, boosting the environmental protection fund, making significant investments in upstate infrastructure and low-priced housing, and dramatically improving Internet speeds – particularly outside of New York City.

Cuomo said he wants NY to become the “international capital” for clean energy. Cuts would apply to businesses with less than 100 employees and net income below $390,000.

Other remaining issues include the level of state aid to public schools, currently a record $27 billion, Medicaid funding, now $62 billion and covering one-third of New Yorkers, and total planned spending expected to include further windfalls from financial settlements. He is also proposing no toll increases on the Tappan Zee Bridge until at least 2020.