Gov. Cuomo Outlines His Goals For First 100 Days In New Term
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced major policies Monday which will set the priorities for his first 100 days in office for his new term.
Cuomo's speech to the New York City Bar Association took a progressive tone with plans to keep the millionaires' tax, cut taxes for working families, get the Equal Rights law passed in New York, and increase the firearm waiting period from three days to 10 days.
"History has proven us right," said Cuomo about gun laws.
Throughout his remarks, Cuomo cited the policies and governing style of Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, contrasting them to the current social climate across the nation.
"Most Americans see the country's social fabric unraveling," said Cuomo. "We see this country's greatest strength, it's diversity, turned into its greatest weakness."
Reforms to the state's archaic voting laws will also include early voting and pushing to make Election Day a state holiday.
As predicted, Cuomo came out in support of legalizing recreational marijuana, a move already being pushed in New Jersey.
Cuomo and state health officials released a report during the summer recommending the legalization of marijuana in New York State.
The report, commissioned by the governor, concludes that "taxing and regulating marijuana far outweighs any potential negative consequences." The report recommends allowing recreational marijuana be made available to adults across the state and claims taxes would bring in over $1.3 billion each year from sales of the controversial substance.
The race for state revenue from marijuana is in part driven by competition from across the Hudson River. New Jersey's Gov. Phil Murphy has said legalization of marijuana could be ready in New Jersey by January.
Cuomo renewed his fight against the $10,000 annual limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, the SALT provisions which have hit New York taxpayers harder than in other states.
Baruch College Dean David S. Birdsell Review Down Cuomo's Plan
In terms of the environment, Cuomo promised to make New York 100 percent carbon neutral by 2040 and eventually eliminate the state's entire carbon footprint.
Funding and fixing the troubled MTA system for commuters is another matter. Earlier this year Cuomo said lawmakers have to pass congestion pricing to raise $30 billion to fix the system, but officials say that would not be enough.