Governor Cuomo Delivers State Of The State Address

Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his State of the State Address and 2016 budget presentation in Albany today.

The governor's spending plan totals $145 billion.

It includes a two-year, $2.1 billion increase in education spending, the highest total in history.  Cuomo is also proposing a tax cut for small businesses.

And he wants to spend $25 million to expand anti-poverty program to the 10 cities with the highest poverty rates Upstate, including Utica.

Other highlights of the governor's budget proposal include;

• Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour
• $40 million more for National Guard and New York State Police
• Raising the Environmental Protection Fund $300 million, the highest level in history
• Investing $6.9 billion in SUNY and CUNY
• Raising the I LOVE NY budget by 10%

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the Governor put forth an ambitious agenda to tackle our growing infrastructure needs and build for the future.

DiNapoli says in the coming weeks, his office will thoroughly review the Executive Budget, examine the long-term impact of the proposals and provide a detailed analysis.