Monday, January 10, 2011

Governor Andrew Cuomo's Vision for New York



Newly elected New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently outlined his vision for New York State. What were some of the specific problems in NY State that he addressed? What does Governor Cuomo hope to accomplish during his administration? Finally, what is your view about some of the major issues facing the state?

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12 comments:

  1. Erik L. 3BD

    In his State of the State Address, recently elected New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his views on New York State. The major issues that Governor Cuomo addressed were state spending, how it has to spend money differently, and how it must reinvent new ways to do things. Cuomo also commented on the past corruption and scandals in Albany.

    During his administration, Cuomo intends to fix these problems through reform and change. To decrease state spending, he plans on restructuring Medicaid, freezing state workers' pay for a year, and downsizing state government departments, commissions, and agencies by 20%. Cuomo also wants to give incentives to local governments by giving them grants for combining services or combining governments. Cuomo said he wants a total ethics overhaul and a clean-up of corruption to rid Albany of the scandals from past years.

    I agree with Governor Cuomo that state spending is the biggest issue our state faces. While I think there is no single solution to our enormous deficit, his proposals will at least help somewhat. I believe reducing state departments, commissions, and agencies will help the most, as there is an abundance of state workers and sometimes a low efficiency amongst them. Only time will tell if Cuomo's propositions will help bail out New York State.

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  2. Hope T., 3BD

    During his “State of the State” speech last Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed several issues facing New York State and outlined goals to help resolve these issues. Cuomo's address to the state was remarkably optimistic, and reflects the governor's hope for effective change for New York.

    One issue that Cuomo addressed was New York State's need to create new jobs. Cuomo proposed setting up ten economic regional councils, public-private sector partnerships focused specifically on creating jobs. These councils would work from the "bottom up", i.e, on a local level. Cuomo explained that higher education is key to creating new jobs within the state, and hopes that a partnership between these councils and the SUNY system will make this goal more attainable.

    Cuomo also stressed the need to reduce Medicaid spending before New York's April 1st budget deadline. Reducing Medicaid spending is one of many cuts which will ideally lead to a balanced state budget. A Medicaid Redesign team is already in place to achieve this goal. According to Cuomo, Medicaid costs will be cut by reducing the Medicaid reimbursement rate. Cuomo insists that the cuts will actually help the state provide a better service to residents for less money.

    Another issue that Cuomo addressed was New York’s need for education funding reform. Currently, education funding is allotted by formula grants, meaning that there are no performance incentives in the grant process. This means that schools that perform poorly receive the same amount of state money as schools that perform exceptionally. Cuomo hopes that the inclusion of performance incentives in the education grant process will increase competitiveness, and ultimately lead to better school performance. Cuomo acknowledges that money is a great motivator, and will certainly be the push underperforming schools need to increase classroom achievement.

    I applaud Cuomo’s optimistic view for the future of New York State, as well as his determination for progress. The initiatives that Cuomo outlined in his “State of the State” address are a good start to solving the problems that New York is currently facing. Cuomo is dedicated to positive change, and that dedication is exactly what New York needs.

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  3. Sarah W., 3 BD

    Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his plans for solving New York’s most detrimental problems in his State of the State Address. As already stated by Erik and Hope, Cuomo has determined that one of the state’s biggest issues is excessive spending. He said, “The State of New York spends too much money. It is that blunt and it is that simple.” Cuomo addressed several other issues in his speech, as well.

    Cuomo intends to tackle the state deficit through numerous methods. A few include freezing state workers’ wages for a year (as Erik noted), redesigning Medicaid to increase its efficiency, and capping state spending at the inflation rate. He also plans to consolidate the departments of insurance, banking, and consumer protection in order to save money. In addition, Cuomo has declared that he will fund schools based on their performance, giving them an incentive to improve student conduct and the quality of state education (as Hope elaborated upon).

    As for political scandals, Cuomo wants to reform the failed ethical procedures that have allowed corruption to permeate the state government. Concerning such rampant dishonesty in recent years, he stated, “We must transform the state of New York from a government of dysfunction, gridlock and corruption to a government of performance, integrity and pride.” After cleaning up the government, he also has plans to pass legislature that will legalize gay marriage and protect abortion rights. Lastly, Cuomo has proposed an overhaul of the state’s juvenile halls; he does not want to keep unused facilities open because “An incarceration program is not a jobs program.”

    Like Erik and Hope, I will put my trust into Cuomo and anticipate the improvements that New York needs now more than ever. I agree with many of his proposals, especially the incentive-based grants that will be given to schools across the state. Of course, Cuomo has only just begun his term in office, so I can only wait and see if he keeps his word. In the meantime, I hope special interest groups don’t sink any more ships passing in the night.

    Sources:

    http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/live-video-and-analysis-of-cuomos-speech/?scp=1&sq=Andrew%20Cuomo%20Speech&st=cse

    http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/01/05/gov-cuomo-to-deliver-state-of-the-state-address/

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  4. On January 5, 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his State of the State address; voicing his opinions about the road on which New York State has been led, and his hopes for the road ahead.

    Specifically, Cuomo wants to create jobs: and not the sort of jobs that have been created in the past… “An incarceration program is not an employment program. If people need jobs, let’s get people jobs. Don’t put other people in prison to give some people jobs.”

    In addition, Cuomo plans to look into education funding reform, as Hope also noted. He stated that not only are we giving again and again, but we are also not receiving. For all the money our tax dollars put in to education, we still only rank in the second quartile. That needs to change, and Cuomo is ready to accept that responsibility.

    “…we have four principles that will guide our new government. Number one, we want a government that pays for performance… Number two, we want a government that actually gets results in real time. Number three, we want a government that puts the people first and not the special interests first. And number four, we want a government that is an icon for integrity where New Yorkers can be proud of their government once again.”

    I whole-heartedly agree with Cuomo and his plan. His drive for a better tomorrow is refreshing, and I look forward to seeing a stronger, brighter, and better New York.

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  5. Danielle Biernik 2BD

    Recently, Andrew Cuomo gave his state of the state address and laid out his agenda for the state.

    Like previous people said, Cuomo stated that overspending is one of New Yorks biggest issues.

    Cuomo plans on giving out $100,000 in incentive grants for local governments to combine services or combine government, $250 million in grants to teachers who improve classroom performance,$250 million in grants to school administrators who do it better.Also,right-sizing state government by combining departments, commissions and agencies. Cuomo also wants to redesign Medicaid to make it more efficient.

    Cuomo also talked about ethics and how he wants to clean up corruption. Cuomo stated ‘We must transform the state of New York from a government of dysfunction, gridlock and corruption to a government of performance, integrity and pride.”

    There is an $11 billion budget defecit and Cuomo plans on reducing that without raising taxes or borrowing.He also says he will cap state spending at the inflation rate and reduce the number of agencies, authorities and commissions by 20 percent.

    Overall, I feel that his ideas are okay but than again it is just a speech. A lot of political figures ahve claimed they would do things in their speeches but than not follow through.

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  6. Kenzie 3BD

    Andrew Cuomo gave his state of the state adress, outlining his list of problems the state faces, and of his reform plans.

    Cuomo stated that ten economic regional councils will be set up across New York state. Their focus is, simply, to create jobs.

    Cuomo also stated that education will be the "key economic driver". Cuomo stated that this new plan is on a cooperative need, and wants to change the constant conflict between levels of government.

    On his proposal for balancing the the budget: an emergency financial plan will be needed to stabilize the states spending. This plan will start with freezing the wages of state workers (meaning no increase in their yearly salary).

    Cuomo also addressed the issue of Medicaid, (as Sarah W. said), by redesigning Medicaid to increase it's efficiency. He wants the Medicaid program to provide better service to people at a lower cost.

    I am trusting Cuomo with this proposal, I agree with the priority of the problems that New York State currently faces. I also trust his ideas on reform for New York State. His focus on reforming the state sounds less selfish than past Government reform programs. Cuomo has a variety of reform ideas instead of focusing on only a few issues, and his different outlook is what could possibly make New York states government and education improve.

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  7. In his recent state of the state address, governor cuomo dressed the problems that New York State faces. The main problems he dressed were, like Erik said, state spending, education, and excess taxes. New York state has one of the largest rates of emigration out of the state, into others. New York state also spends some of the most on education, but scores in the middle range for states.
    Cuomo plans to attack these problems by reducing the state deficit, by not increasing taxes. He also plans on raising education levels by reforming the regents program along with higher education through the SUNY system. Combining these efforts with President Obama's nation wide education reform should increase education production and betters jobs for New Yorkers.
    I think that Governor's ambition for reform is great and very idealistic. The first step to reform is to adores the problems, which he did. However, the problems of the state legislature and. Albany are possibly too massive to push reform through. Similar to Obamas problem with the national congress.

    Payne Morgan

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  8. Katie Roth
    3BD


    Recently when Governor Cuomo made his State of the State address, he was successful in laying out his plans for the upcoming legislative session. The event was centered around an era of openness and change, symbolically followed by the change in location.
    Cuomo addressed many important New York State issues. Most importantly and bluntly said, we spend too much money. To combat this, Cuomo plans to create an economy that is not so much invested in special interest groups and moreso for the people. He plans on setting up ten regional councils specifically to create jobs. He also plans on reducing the state deficit, but not by way of increasing taxes.
    In the area of education, New Yorkers should be proud of test scores and education improvements, but as of right now state education, although high, is not as efficient as we would like it to be. Cuomo plans to reform the regents program in conjunction with the SUNY system and Obama's education reform to create a more efficient education system and hopefully provide better jobs for New Yorkers.
    Lastly, Cuomo plans to transform the budget to control taxes and freeze wages. An emergency financial plan will be set up to stabilize finances.
    The Governor's plan for reform is a great step. Change is most deffinitely what New York needs, and his liberal ideas are refreshing and will be recieved well if he can follow through with them.

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  9. Patrick C. 3BD
    As the year 2011 began Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address was a sign of New York State's changing times. For the first time since 1923 the address was held outside of the assembly chamber. Cuomo in his address warns that
    New York faces massive losses of "private-sector jobs and population". He would not elaborate in detail on his plans to combat the state’s 10 million dollar budget deficit and keep people in New York but did mention quite a few strategies.

    Some strategies he has proposed are freezing job salaries for state employment and laying of state employees. Another juncture where he hopes to increase efficiency is in the education of the youth. New York State is first in spending yet 34th in performance. By providing school incentives for state grants Cuomo hopes that he will be able to increase this poor performance. Another sector of state spending which Cuomo targets for cleanup is the juvenile detention sector. Cuomo intends to reorganize and consolidate juvenile detention facilities.

    Another topic which Cuomo specifically cited in helping to create New York's plight was the ineffectiveness of Medicaid and Medicare. These programs which promised to help provide universal health care have been mismanaged by a corrupt and ineffective state government. Through his efforts Cuomo hopes to change this.

    Besides cutting state deficit Cuomo faces the difficult task of keeping people in New York. In order to do so Cuomo intends to form no new taxes, put a cap on property taxes, and legalize gay marriage.

    Cuomo contends that New York's future is not "grim". By combining and consolidating New York's many government agencies Cuomo is sure he can bring New York back to its prior status.

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  10. Fuck the free world and maple hill





    - mill$

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  11. And pat curtin little chimp looking like fuck from pineapple express

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