State of the State: ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’

Jan. 16--ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo wasted no time before attacking the federal government during his annual State of the State address Tuesday in Albany.

"We have a federal government that is assaulting our values, our liberties, our rights and our economy," he said. "The federal cuts to our budget would be devastating and the federal effect on the values and liberties of New Yorkers would be devastating. This is the moment in government that we are leading and it is up to us to bring this state forward. We have no allies who are going to help us, the federal government is not going to help us, it's up to this legislative body to lead this state at this crucial time."

Cuomo declared 2019 the year to fully enact a justice agenda -- encompassing social, racial and economic justice -- saying the state faces real challenges, but that it can succeed.

In order to ensure the progress Cuomo is promising, he laid out a number of initiatives he wants to see passed while Democrats are leading the government. There currently are Democratic majorities in the Senate and Assembly, as well as Democrats in the attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor positions for the first time in about 40 years.

Cuomo asked the Legislature to protect health care, education and women's reproductive rights; legalize marijuana for adult use; reform voting rights and the prison system; and pass the green new deal to reduce the state's carbon footprint.

"I really believe you ain't seen nothing yet," Cuomo said. "I really believe what we're going to get done in this legislative session is going to make history in the state of New York and is going to make history in the nation."

Other initiatives the governor wants to see taken on this year include combating gun violence by passing the red flag law -- which would stop people deemed to be dangerous from owning guns -- banning bump stocks and extending the waiting period for purchasing guns from three to 10 days.

Cuomo also wants to see gender equality enshrined into law, passing the equal rights amendment, which will protect against discrimination on the basis of sex in the state constitution.

With the federal government trying get rid of the Affordable Care Act, Cuomo wants to keep it by codifying the health exchange into New York state law. He also believes the state needs to make sure that pre-existing conditions continue to be covered by insurance companies regardless of what happens at the federal level.

Putting a large emphasis on the importance on protecting new immigrants, Cuomo said he believes the state will pass the Dream Act this year, as well, which would provide in-state tuition assistance for undocumented students.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said the past two days have been busy at the state Legislature, but he is concerned that bills are being pushed through with little debate, discussion, public comment or input from local governments.

Regardng his concern about the proposed 2019-20 budget, which also was introduced Tuesday, Griffo said he wants to make sure everything is well vetted and thought through.

"While I have no problem discussing and debating the various issues presented today, our priority should be on making New York more affordable for residents and businesses and providing residents throughout the state with additional economic opportunities," said Griffo in the statement. "We also must ensure that all regions of the state are treated equally, and that they all have access to the same resources for infrastructure and other needs."

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