Plugged In @ Hinman Straub – January 11, 2021

2021 State of the State

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his 2021 State of the State message earlier today, during one of the most challenging periods in state history. The Empire State continues to fight the coronavirus impacts statewide, while also facing the largest budget deficits in state history.

In a speech delivered virtually from the State Capitol in Albany, the Governor recited themes that have become familiar during his many press conferences throughout the pandemic, noting New Yorkers’ resiliency, resoluteness, unity, competency and compassion during the crisis. Throughout his remarks, he was again critical of the federal government’s response to the pandemic from its earliest moments last winter.

In the days preceding today’s speech, the Governor previewed proposals to authorize mobile sports betting and the sale of marijuana for recreational use. He also unveiled plans to link the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall in New York City with the High Line pedestrian walkway.

The Governor today announced that specific policy proposals will be rolled out in the next several days, and his priorities in the coming year will fall in seven categories:

1. Defeating COVID
2. Vaccinating New Yorkers
3. Managing the short-term economic crisis
4. Investing in the future and re-opening the economy
5. Transitioning to green energy
6. Anticipating the long-term impacts of COVID
7. Addressing systemic racism, inequality and social abuse

He stated that these priorities must be addressed simultaneously, and that the pandemic presents the greatest opportunity since World War II.

According to the Governor, defeating COVID will require the highest performance from the state’s healthcare system, even as that system has been strained continuously and was unnecessarily unprepared for the crisis. He stated that the emergency has revealed the vulnerabilities of the global medical supply chain, and that New York will incentivize in-state production of medical supplies and expand the availability of telemedicine.

Access to vaccinations are being greatly expanded statewide beginning today, and the Governor called on federal officials to speed up distribution of vaccines to the states. New York will expand vaccination access to communities citizens who are black, Indigenous and people of color. Governor Cuomo also stated that access to COVID testing is again being expanded statewide.

Citing failures by the federal government in warning the public about the virus, not instituting a travel ban, and leaving states to “go it alone,” he again called on the federal government to provide substantial relief to the states. The Governor said that New York faces a current $15 billion deficit, which must be remedied by quick federal action.

He will propose the establishment of a Public Health Corps to expand response capacity, as well as to train and certify 100,000 volunteers to aid in public health outreach.

The state must plan for “post-COVID reconstruction,” and increase economic activity “smartly” – allowing restaurants, theaters, and other businesses to reopen. Similar to during the great Depression, New York will jumpstart its economy by commencing the “largest infrastructure initiative in state history,” to include major investments in air, road, rail, housing and economic development statewide.

New York must also invest in the “infrastructure of tomorrow,” and ensure affordable broadband access across the state. In response to threats from climate change, New York will undertake the most aggressive green energy initiative in the nation, investing in manufacturing, and worker retraining.

Finally, he said that New York must address the structural inequities in public safety, as well as disparities in education, childcare made visible during the pandemic. New York will continue to protect both tenants and property owners, and asks federal officials to provide hardship funding to undocumented persons during the emergency. Finally, he says he will seek to expand access to shelter and housing by repurposing vacant commercial spaces around the state.

Other proposals by the Executive are to be unveiled in subsequent State of the State presentations later this week and likely in more detail in the Executive Budget proposal to be released on January 19.