Cuomo Details 2014 Agenda, Hints at Pre-K in State of State

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered a broad election-year agenda in a State of the State speech promoting a property tax freeze, tougher anti-corruption laws and modernizing New York City's airports.

Cuomo is seeking a second term this year and the speech Wednesday gave him a high-profile forum to promote his first three years while unveiling an agenda with elements that will please both social progressives and financial conservatives.

The governor this week gave an early look at a sweeping $2 billion tax relief proposal that includes property tax rebates for homeowners in municipalities that meet tax thresholds and a cut in corporate tax rates.

With a series of public corruption cases roiling the Legislature, Cuomo is calling for increased penalties for official misconduct and tighter disclosure rules on lawmakers' conflicts of interest.

Cuomo also said "it is time to fulfill the state's goal" of providing access for all children to all-day pre-kindergarten, but he doesn't mention how to pay for it.

Mayor de Blasio and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are jointly pushing the new mayor's proposal for universal pre-kindergarten supported by city authority to tax the wealthy.

They met for an hour Wednesday ahead of Cuomo's address.

Cuomo said earlier in the week any funding plan will have to be worked out with the Legislature.

Silver says the city is simply asking for authority to fund its own school system.

De Blasio says the nursery school plan, plus after-school programs for all middle schools, would cost $530 million a year for five years and funding must be reliable.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us