Local officials and citizens crammed the Ulster County legislative chambers Friday morning, to hear an update from state DOT commissioner Joan McDonald, who appeared on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“I’m so glad to see the changes going on in Albany under governor Cuomo,” Ulster County executive Mike Hein said while introducing McDonald, calling last week’s State of the State address inspirational and effective.
“You can really sense a change,” agreed McDonald. “You can feel it in the air,” she said. “Much has been done, we have great momentum — but much more needs to be done.”
McDonald summarized Cuomo’s successful record for the past year. She noted closure of a $10 billion deficit, “with no gimmicks, and it was done on time.” The new residential property tax cap has forced fiscal discipline and stimulated a citizen dialogue, the commissioner added.
Furthermore, under Cuomo’s leadership, New York has closed 3800 prison beds. “We finally recognized that prisons are not economic development programs,” McDonald observed.
The unpopular MTA payroll tax has been eliminated for most small businesses.
“We passed marriage equality for all New Yorkers, and we did it together,” said McDonald. “We restored New York’s reputation as the progressive capital of the nation.”
Cuomo’s 2012 vision sets forth an aggressive three-part strategy: Next phase in economic blueprint for growth; Re-imagined government, turning plans into reality; and New York trailblazing for a progressive future.
“We will build the largest convention center in the nation,” McDonald announced. The governor is currently pursuing a $4B private investment at Aqueduct Raceway in Ozone Park.
“Regional economic development councils clearly is a transformative initiative,” McDonald said, declaring a $200 million second round of funding.
“As for casino gambling, it’s time we faced reality,” McDonald acknowledged. “It’s not a question of whether we should have gaming in NY — we already do,” she said, citing 29,000 electronic gaming machines in NYS.
“We are also surrounded by gaming,” McDonald continued. “States across our borders have legalized gaming. They get the tourism, revenue and jobs that belong here in NYS,” she said. “From Gov. Cuomo’s perspective, it’s about jobs jobs jobs — not cards & chips. A constitutional amendment will be proposed to properly change gambling law, she observed.
$2 billion will be allocated for infrastructure, plus more for a new Tappan Zee crossing. “It’s time to start building,” McDonald declared. Cuomo is calling for a new energy highway system. “We have tremendous need in downstate.” A master plan and RFP to build supply capacity is in the works, McDonald promised.
New York’s 2013 budget will be unveiled this Tuesday. “No new taxes, no new fees,” assured McDonald, while simultaneously closing the remaining $2B deficit. Another card on the table is mandate relief. Pension costs have increased 100% since 2009, indicated McDonald. She said the retirement system requires reform and creation of a Tier 6.
“Strong effective school system is the hallmark of an effective democracy,” McDonald told the gathered audience. Noting the vast professional lobby, Cuomo has decided to take on a second job. “He will be the lobbyist-in-chief for the students. He will wage a campaign to put students first. The purpose of public education is to help children grow, not bureaucracy.” New York ranks #1 in spending, but lags behind 38th place in graduation rates.
In the public safety sector, Cuomo demands the best state emergency management operation in the country, McDonald said.
The newly created department of financial services will include a foreclosure relief unit to provide counseling and mediation services — to help New Yorkers stay in their home. DNA information will be added to data bank for all criminal convictions — a national first. A bill to implement public campaign financing will be introduced by the governor, McDonald disclosed.
Watch fullpress conference on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JVwO7I1EoE



































