Cuomo's State Of The State Address: What You Need To Know

LONG ISLAND, NY — New York State must begin to rebuild after fighting the coronavirus battle and during his 2021 State of the State address Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a seven-point plan he said will help the state head upward toward light after some of its darkest days.

"We will win this war," Cuomo said.

First steps and top priorities, he said, include continuing the rollout of vaccinations, ensuring hospitals do not become overwhelmed, and dealing with the economic crisis posed by the pandemic.

"We were decimated by this virus," he said. "That can never happen again."

He also said a focus on infrastructure will help to create new jobs and serve as a boon to the economy.

Cuomo addressed legalization of recreational marijuana and online betting, a focus on green energy, the fight against racial injustice, and healthcare initiatives during the address. The broad-strokes address will be followed by a series of other talks focusing on specific points mentioned Monday, he said.

For all the negatives and disruption coronavirus has caused, there are opportunities and a shift in fundamental dynamics and technology of how New Yorkers live and work, he said.

"We see the risk and peril but also possibility and potential," he said.

Looking ahead, Cuomo said, New Yorkers must be prepared: When the pandemic arrived last spring, there was a shortage of personal protective equipment and looking forward, Cuomo proposed the Medical Supplies Act, to prioritize the purchase of American-made PPE as well as create local jobs.

Cuomo also proposed comprehensive telehealth legislation that will address reimbursement incentives; eliminating outdated prohibitions on telehealth delivery, and removing outdated location requirements, for example.

The focus will continue on ensuring that existing barriers to vaccines are broken down in the Black, Hispanic, and poor communities, which Cuomo has often called "health care deserts."

Looking ahead, Cuomo proposed the New York State Public Health Corps, where 1,000 fellows will be recruited to help with vaccination efforts. The focus will also include a free citizen public health training program, so that volunteers will be ready to help in the event of the next emergency.

He also proposed a rapid testing network to help businesses reopen and said the Buffalo Bills game, used a model for such testing, has so far been a success.

Cuomo renewed his pledge to call on the federal government, who he said has left New York with. a glaring $15 billion budget hole.

"Washington has relentlessly abused this state, providing the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate in the nation, starving infrastructure funding, and curtailing the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, which raised New Yorkers' taxes and starved New York of $30 billion over three years. After all of this, New York cannot also afford to pay the bill for the federal government's incompetence," he said.

Legalization of recreational marijuana and online betting

On the issues of recreational marijuana legalization, Cuomo has proposed a new Office of Cannabis Management to oversee the new adult-use cannabis program, as well as the State's existing medical and cannabinoid hemp programs. The plan will not only mean more than 60,000 new jobs, $3.5 billion in economic activity, and more than $300 million in tax revenue, but also help communities long harmed by marijuana prohibition, he said.

The governor said legalizing online sports betting would also generate millions in tax revenue.

"At a time when New York faces a historic budget deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the current online sports wagering structure incentivizes a large segment of New York residents to travel out of state to make online sports wagers or continue to patronize black markets," Cuomo said. "New York has the potential to be the largest sports wagering market in the United States, and by legalizing online sports betting we aim to keep millions of dollars in revenue here at home, which will only strengthen our ability to rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis."

Police reform
Cuomo reminded that all localities must engage in police reform by April 1 or lose state funding and said it is critical to facilitate trust between law enforcement and the community.

Childcare

With many families forced to choose between childcare and putting food on the table, Cuomo said the state will invest $40 million to reduce the burden of parent subsidy copays to help about 32,000 working families; New York State will invest $6 million for start-up grants to create programs in child care deserts; and increase the value of the New York State Employer-Provided Child Care Credit by expanding the amount a business can claim for qualified child care expenditures to up to $500,000 per year, and more.

Domestic violence

Cuomo has also announced a new series of initiatives to combat domestic violence and gender-based violence, including a proposal allowing courts to require abusers to pay for damages to housing units, moving expenses, and other housing costs. Other proposals would create a domestic violence misdemeanor label to close a loophole and ensure abusers convicted of misdemeanors cannot obtain weapons

Rent and mortgage relief

Cuomo will sign legislation banning feels for late and missed rent payments during the pandemic and allow renters to use their security deposits as immediate repayment, through May 1, he said.
A statewide moratorium on commercial evictions until May 1 will also remain for commercial tenants.

Elimination of health care premiums for low-income residents

Monthly premiums for more than 400,000 New Yorkers will be eliminated, saving families nearly $100 million per year in premiums and enrolling 100,000 New Yorkers who are currently uninsured, Cuomo said.

Election reform

Cuomo called for procedures to expedite vote counting and expand access to early voting, as well as allowing more time for voters to request absentee ballots.

Utlization of vacant commercial space for affordable housing

The governor announced plans for legislation to create a five-year period during which property owners can convert office buildings and hotels in the Manhattan central business district for residential use. He has also vowed to provide safe homeless shelters.

Cuomo urged New Yorkers to reimagine, rebuild and renew. "We can't — only if we believe we can't. That is what we mean when we say New York tough," he said.

This article originally appeared on the North Fork Patch