Saying "We can turn this crisis into an opportunity" York Governor Andrew Cuomo today unveiled a broad-ranging plan of reform during his first annual State of the State Address.

In the nearly 50 minute long address, Cuomo called for government restructuring, ethics reform, job creation, changes in education funding, mandate relief,improving the State's business climate and what he termed "a fundamental re-alignment of the State."

While outlining New York's financial crisis and its current $10 billion deficit, Cuomo said "This is not a one year problem. Our expenses far exceed our revenue," adding that the State's budget deficit will continue to balloon in the next few years to $14 billion and $17 billion if left unchecked.

He cited New York as having the worst business climate in the nation and  that in upstate New York, job creation and growth is in crisis. With 800,000 people unemployed, he pledged to create 10 regional economic councils  to be headed by Lt. Governor Robert Duffy that will be charged with coming up with creative ways to create new jobs and attract new businesses across the state.

Westchester County was mentioned as having the dubious distinction of having the highest taxes in the country. Cuomo commented, "New York has no future as the tax capitol of the nation."
The Governor said New York needs education funding reform, and says the State pays the most in the country for education yet ranks 34th across the United States. Said Cuomo, "The Federal government has it right. There needs to be competition," while citing the Race to the Top program.

Cuomo believes New York needs to incentivize education funding and offer two competitive funds, one that's performance-based, a second, a program that rewards administrative efficiency in schools."

He also called for consolidation of three State departments, Insurance, Banking and Consumer Protection into one department calling itself the Department of Financial Regulation. Such a move, he says, will not only be more efficient and allow many problems that "fall through the cracks" be addressed, but will also save the taxpayer money. 

In his speech, Cuomo blasted state juvenile justice facilities,likening them to the now-defunct Willowbrook mental institution,  saying they are operated using outdated therapies and programs that have been proven "not to work," and that young people incarcerated in them have a more than 90% recidivism rate and cost the taxpayer about $200,000 a prisoner annually. He said such programs can no longer be maintained in the name of "keeping jobs."

In addition, the Governor promised to work to raise the percentage of women-owned minority business across the state from 10-20% and to bring marriage equality to New York.

In closing, Cuomo promised to reform Albany and New Yorkers' perception of the Legislature as one of dysfunction and corruption, saying, "The New York State Legislature is the best legislature historically in the nation. The most talented people.That's who we are. And, that's who we can be again."