WGXC-90.7 FM

Cuomo gives State of the State

Jan 10, 2013 6:00 am
The Associated Press reports in his 2013 State of the State Address, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Wed., Jan. 9, called for tougher state bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines of ammunition. Cuomo also would require follow-ups for owners of handgun licenses to make sure they still are qualified to possess a gun based on criminal and other records. He would increase sentences for gun crimes including for using guns on school property and for gang activities. Legislators worked behind closed doors Wednesday, to reach an agreement on the governor’s demand for tighter controls on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. A deal could be announced and acted on this week. Read the full AP story in the Daily Freeman.

Highlights from Cuomo's speech:
Casinos — Three Las Vegas-style casinos built on non-Indian land in upstate New York if the casinos are legalized this year.
Storm preparation — The need to fortify New York’s power and telecommunication systems after Superstorm Sandy. Other proposals among many include: Enhance efforts in workforce training by expanding energy career training, update state building code, update Department of Health’s review of applications for new hospitals and nursing homes, protect New York Harbor, flood-proof subways and bus depots, build redundancies into fuel system.
Minimum wage — Raising the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour from the current $7.25.
Energy — Creating a “Green Bank” to spur private investment in clean energy projects, extending the NY-Sun Solar Jobs program and encouraging local renewable power sources.
Education — Longer school days and years, more prekindergarten, funding based on performance and paying high-performing “master teachers” $15,000 extra a year for four years to teach other teachers.
Gender equality — A Women’s Equality Act to address things like reproductive rights, pay equity, sexual harassment, human trafficking and tougher order-of-protection laws in addition to other forms of discrimination against women.
Campaign finance reform — 48-hour disclosure of contributions over $500, public financing of state elections, lower contribution limits.



Watch live streaming video from newyorkstateofficeofthegovernor at livestream.com New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the "State of the State" address Wed., Jan. 9 at the Capitol in Albany.