News stories tagged with "state-of-the-state"

(01/09/12) Governor Cuomo called in his State of the State message for public campaign financing reform. He's looking to base campaign financing on a model currently in use in New York City. Proponents, including those who have studied the model as well as public finance systems in other states, believe it can work. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has that story. more

(01/06/12) Governor Andrew Cuomo used his state of the state address yesterday to lay out a broad new vision for improving emergency and flood response planning.

The governor called for dozens of flood-control projects to move forward. The plan drew praise from Adirondack leaders still reeling from tropical storm Irene. But as Brian Mann reports, towns say they also need more direct financial aid. more

(01/06/12) In his State of the State speech, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a new commission to reevaluate the state's education system. He wants improvements all down the line, from more efficient management, to teacher accountability, to student achievement.

As Karen DeWitt reports, the governor's call is getting a mixed response. more

(01/05/12) Governor Cuomo's agenda for the coming year includes more than $20 billion for capital projects aimed at boosting the state's infrastructure.

One of the big ticket items is a $2 billion plan to develop new high tech utility lines designed to feed electricity from producers in the North Country and Quebec to consumers downstate. Brian Mann reports. more

(01/04/12) More than 100 protestors opposed to hydrofracking gathered in the Empire State Plaza Wednesday outside the auditorium where Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his State of the State address, chanting "no fracking way!" more

(01/06/11) Cuomo's speech drew praise from North Country Republicans. Freshman Republican Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush of Jefferson County said Cuomo's tax cutting message was "on point."

New State Senator Patty Ritchie, also a Republican, gave the speech high marks.

(01/05/10) New York State begins the New Year nearly broke, and with plenty of challenges ahead. One think tank is offering some answers to get the state out of its financial bind.

A new report from the Empire Center for New York State Policy lists specific--and often politically dicey--proposals, including canceling millions of dollars in unused pork-barrel spending. Some of the initiatives would hit public workers. The center proposes a wage freeze for teachers and state workers, and caps on school aid and Medicaid spending. It also proposes selling state-owned golf courses and ski resorts as well as its off-track betting agencies.

The report comes just as the governor is preparing to deliver his state of the state address, opening the new legislative session tomorrow. Karen DeWitt has more.

(01/08/09) There were no specifics for the North Country in the State of the State message, but Gov. Paterson got mostly positive reviews from the region's delegation in Albany. Martha Foley has reaction.

(01/05/07) Pro-education groups say they are pleased that Governor Eliot Spitzer emphasized school funding and reforms in his State of the State message. They say they want to help him in his first 100 days in office to achieve those goals. Karen DeWitt reports.

(01/04/07) Governor Eliot Spitzer, in his first State of the State address, pledged to reform Albany's culture of gridlock and dysfunction, rein in spending, and cut property taxes. He offered a laundry list of changes he wants to make, and said he has the energy to his agenda through. Karen DeWitt reports.