Moving the New New York Forward Andrew M. Cuomo Moving the New NY Forward Governor Andrew M. Cuomo i Moving the New NY Forward ii Moving the New NY Forward Moving the New NY Forward Table of Contents Introduction: A Record of Success ................................ ix Chapter 1. Continue to Attack the Property Tax Crisis ........................................................................................ 1 Getting New York’s Fiscal House Back in Order ............ 2 New York's High Property Taxes: Not a New Problem 4 Governor Andrew Cuomo: A Record of Fighting to Reduce New York's Property Taxes .......................................7 Property Tax Cap: An Historic Success .................................7 Property Tax Relief: Designed for Long-Term Restructuring and Tax Reduction ...........................................9 Governor Cuomo's Property Tax Plan: Provide Continued Tax Relief to New York Homeowners ....... 10 Proposal. Continue the State’s Fiscally Responsible Budgeting ....................................................................................... 10 Proposal. Extend the Property Tax Cap ............................. 11 Proposal. Create a $500 Million Fund to Encourage Localities to Cut Costs in Order to Reduce Property Taxes ................................................................................................ 11 Proposal. Organize a Summit of Local Leaders to Discuss Best Practices to Develop Tax Saving Plans .... 12 Chapter 2. New York is Working A Record of Success........................................................... ....14 Proposal. $1.5 Billon Upstate Revitalization: Replicate the Success of the Buffalo Billion .......................................... 20 Strengthen Small Businesses ............................................ 22 Proposal. Hold a Small Business Summit .......................... 23 Proposal. Create the New York Business Assistance Team to Help Small Businesses Start and Grow ............ 24 Proposal. Create the NYS Chief Small Business Officer…………………………………………………………………..24 iii Moving the New NY Forward Chapter 3. Rebuilding NY ............................................... 25 Design-Build ............................................................................ 26 NY Works .................................................................................. 27 NY Green Bank ........................................................................ 28 Airport Modernization ........................................................ 30 Creating a 21st-Century Infrastructure for a 21st- Century Economy .................................................................. 31 Proposal. Create the NY Infrastructure Bank .................. 31 Proposal. Extend Design-Build .............................................. 32 Proposal. Reinvent our Major Transportation Transit Networks, Including the MTA and Our Airports ............ 34 Chapter 4. Global NY ........................................................ 35 Proposal. Create Global NY Export/Import Development Fund ..................................................................... 36 Proposal. Trade Missions to Boost the New York Economy ......................................................................................... 38 Chapter 5. NY Innovates ................................................. 39 A New Paradigm for Innovation ....................................... 39 Proposal. Expand START-UP NY ........................................... 43 Proposal. Regional Innovation Cluster Program (RICP) ............................................................................................................ 44 Proposal. Expand Innovation Funding: the New NY Venture Capital Fund and Start-Up Company Capital Funding ........................................................................................... 45 Proposal. Scaling Up Manufacturing and Commercialization ..................................................................... 47 Proposal. Create Supply Chain Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises ...................................................... 48 Chapter 6. Training a Modern Workforce ................ 51 Modernize Our Community College System: Next Generation NY Job Linkage Program .............................. 52 Proposal. Expand the Next Generation NY Job Linkage Program .......................................................................................... 53 iv Moving the New NY Forward Proposal. Expanding Partnerships Between K-12, Higher Education, and Employers: Triple the Number of State Early College High Schools .......................................... 55 Proposal. Streamline New Education Program Approval to Meet Workforce Needs ........................................................ 57 Proposal. Make Experiential Learning a Graduation Requirement ................................................................................. 58 Proposal. Tax Credits for Small Business and Startup Companies that Offer Internships ........................................ 59 Chapter 7. Putting Students First in K-12 Education ................................................................................................. 61 Stronger Accountability in Our Schools ........................ 63 Increased Opportunities for Learning ........................... 64 Raising the Bar While Protecting Students .................. 66 Continuing the Commitment to Students ..................... 67 Proposal. Continue to Increase Investments in Public Education ....................................................................................... 68 Proposal. Recognize and Reward the Most Effective Teachers: Expand the Master Teacher Program ............ 69 Proposal. Create the PERFORM System—Public Education Results for Management .................................... 71 Chapter 8. A More Affordable Higher Education ... 75 Paving the Road to On-Time Completion ...................... 77 Proposal. Enact the Get on Your Feet Loan Fogiveness Program .......................................................................................... 78 Proposal. Create the New York State Finish in Four Completion Program ................................................................. 80 Proposal. Create Community College Community Schools to Coordinate Services for Students ................... 82 Chapter 9. Finally Bridge the Digital Divide ............ 85 Proposal. Pass the $2 Billion Smart Schools Investment to Transform NY’s Classrooms .............................................. 85 v Moving the New NY Forward Proposal. Achieve Statewide Universal High Speed Broadband by Creating the $500M New NY Broadband Fund .................................................................................................. 87 Chapter 10. Progressive Vision for the Future ....... 91 Proposal. Pass the Women’s Equality Act ......................... 94 Proposal. Increase MWBE Opportunities to 30 percent ......................................................................................................... 105 Proposal. Pass the DREAM Act ........................................... 107 Proposal. Raise the Minimum Wage................................. 108 Proposal. Create the Office of Faith-Based Community Services ........................................................................................ 108 Proposal. Expand NY Youth Works .................................. 110 Proposal. Expand the Unemployment Strike Force to the Top Ten Highest Areas of Unemployment ............. 111 Proposal. Create More Affordable Housing ................... 112 Proposal. End Discrimination in Public Schools ......... 113 Chapter 11. Continue Working to Reform Albany .............................................................................................. 117 Proposal. Public Financing of Elections .......................... 118 Proposal. Ballot Simplification ........................................... 119 Proposal. Expanded Voter Registration Period to Increase Electoral Participation ........................................ 119 Proposal. Modernizing Affidavit Ballot Process to be More Convenient for Voters ................................................ 120 Proposal. Allow Candidates and Voters to Change Party Enrollment in Timely Manner ............................................ 120 Proposal. Lower Contribution Limits and Loopholes Closed ............................................................................................ 121 Proposal. Restrict Personal Use of Campaign Contributions ............................................................................. 121 Chapter 12. A Safer NY ................................................. 123 Landmark Gun Control ..................................................... 123 Safer Roadways ................................................................... 124 DNA Databank Expansion ................................................ 124 vi Moving the New NY Forward Juvenile Justice Reform .................................................... 125 Storm Recovery and Resilient Communities ............ 125 Combatting Terrorism ...................................................... 128 Proposal. Convene an International Security Task Force ......................................................................................................... 130 Proposal. Promote Cyber Resiliency ................................ 130 Chapter 13. Secure Our Energy Future .................. 133 Laying the Foundation