Social, Economic, and Racial Justice Agenda 2019 State of the State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo The Constitution of New York State requires the Governor to deliver an annual message to the Legislature regarding the state of the state. Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has used this opportunity to update New Yorkers on the progress of the State, while laying out a series of priorities for the year. The State of the State proposals are the first step in defining the Governor's agenda in 2019. Additional policies and funding details are included in the Governor's Executive Budget. 1 Contents 1. Economic Justice ................................................................. 36 Part 1. Fighting for Tax Fairness ........................................ 37 Proposal. Continue the Phase-in of the Middle Class Tax Cuts .................................................................................. 38 Proposal. Extend the Millionaire’s Tax ......................... 39 Proposal. Close the Carried Interest Loophole ........... 40 Proposal. Make Permanent the Highly Successful Property Tax Cap ................................................................. 41 Proposal. Fight for the Full Deductibility of State and Local Taxes ............................................................................ 42 Proposal. Continue Lawsuit Against Federal Government Challenging Unconstitutional Tax Law that Targets New York ....................................................... 42 Proposal. Fight Misguided IRS Regulations ................ 43 Proposal. Maintain Fiscal Discipline Through the 2 Percent State Spending Cap and Delivering a High- Performance Government ................................................. 44 Proposal. Eliminating Duplicative Efforts and Protecting State Resources ............................................... 44 Proposal. Harnessing the Power of Data to Ensure Smart Spending .................................................................... 46 Part 2. Building 21st Century Infrastructure ................. 47 Proposal. Invest an Additional $150 Billion in the Nation’s Largest Infrastructure Program ................... 47 Proposal. Reduce Traffic Congestion in NYC and Fund the MTA ................................................................................... 48 Proposal. Establish Accountability for the MTA ........ 50 Proposal. Increase Support for Upstate and Suburban Public Transportation Services ....................................... 52 2 Proposal. Expand Design-Build and Enact Other Efficiencies to Expedite Construction Projects ........... 53 Part 3. Continuing New York’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Strategy ........................................................... 54 Proposal. Invest $750 million for Round Nine of the Regional Economic Development Councils .................. 55 Proposal. Invest in Communities Across the State Through the Fourth Downtown Revitalization Initiative ................................................................................. 56 Proposal. Spur the Innovation Economy ...................... 57 Proposal. Invest in Buffalo’s East Side Revitalization ........................................................................ 60 Proposal. Support the “Syracuse Surge” ...................... 61 Proposal. Expand the Binghamton University Health Sciences and Technology Innovation Park .................. 63 Proposal. Launch an Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force ........................................................................................ 65 Proposal. Build a World-Class Sports Complex in Downtown Utica ................................................................... 66 Proposal. Support the Growth of the Life Sciences Industry in the Hudson Valley ......................................... 67 Proposal. Build the New Life Sciences Lab in the City of Albany ..................................................................................... 68 Proposal. Continuing to Invest in Tourism Across the State ......................................................................................... 69 Proposal. Increase Year-Round Tourism for Upstate New York through World-Class Attractions at Our Mountains and Olympic Facilities .................................. 70 Part 4. Ensuring A Quality Education for All.................. 72 Proposal. Require Districts Distribute State Aid in A More Equitable Manner to Their Neediest Schools ... 74 Proposal. Expand Universal Pre-Kindergarten ......... 75 3 Proposal. Recruit 250 New Teachers in Shortage Areas through the We Teach NY Program ................... 76 Proposal. Expand Master Teacher Program to High Poverty Schools to Increase Access to Advanced Courses .................................................................................... 78 Proposal. Expand the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Program to Recognize Outstanding Teachers ................................................................................. 79 Proposal. Ensure That Every Student Can Graduate High School with College Credit, a Skilled Credential, or Meaningful Work Experience by 2025 ..................... 80 Proposal. Expand Student Mental Health Resources for Middle Schools in the State ........................................ 84 Proposal. Develop and Enact Fair Discipline Policies and Safe Schools for All Students and Teachers ........ 85 Proposal. Authorize Stop-Arm Cameras to Ensure Student Safety on School Buses ....................................... 87 Proposal. Expand the Diversity of Professors and School Leaders ...................................................................... 88 Proposal. Enhance Accountability for For-Profit Colleges ................................................................................... 89 Proposal. Protect Student Loan Borrowers ................. 92 Part 5. Creating Economic Opportunity for Every New Yorker .......................................................................................... 93 Proposal. Launch the $175 Million Workforce Initiative ................................................................................. 94 Proposal. Advance a Comprehensive Agenda to Expand Apprenticeships .................................................... 95 Proposal. Launch a New Data Analytics Initiative with Monroe Community College to Map the Workforce Needs of New York’s Economy .......................................... 98 4 Proposal. Expand Employer-Driven Training Opportunities by Enhancing the Employee Training Incentive Program .............................................................. 99 Proposal. Increase Employment Opportunities for New Yorkers with Disabilities, Including Diverse Neurological Abilities ....................................................... 100 Proposal. Protect Workers from Union-Busting Activity by Codifying EO 183 into Law and Expanding its Protections to Local Governments .......................... 101 Proposal. Increase Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft ....................................................................................... 102 Proposal. Eliminate Non-Compete and No-Poach Agreements that Impede Economic Mobility ............ 104 Proposal. Expand Job Opportunities by Banning Credit Checks for Employment ...................................... 106 Proposal. Reduce Penalties for Unemployment Insurance Recipients Working Part Time .................. 107 Proposal. Modernize Workers’ Compensation by Allowing More Medical Providers to Treat Injured Workers ................................................................................ 108 Proposal. Stop Predatory Merchant Cash-Advance Loans ..................................................................................... 109 Part 6. Ensuring Access to Affordable Housing ......... 110 Proposal. Enact Historic Legislation to Strengthen Rent Regulation ................................................................. 112 Proposal. Limit Security Deposits to Reduce Housing Barriers ................................................................................ 113 Proposal. Help Families Build Credit and Holistically Evaluate Credit Scores ..................................................... 114 Proposal. Enact Source of Income Protections to Support Fair Housing for All .......................................... 115 Part 7. Combatting Poverty ............................................... 116 5 Proposal. Support ESPRI Communities and Establish ESPRI Representation on REDC Workforce Development Committees ............................................... 118 Proposal. Provide $25 Million for Poverty Reduction in Rochester ......................................................................... 119 Proposal. Expand Successful Unemployment Strikeforce Initiative ......................................................... 121 Proposal. Provide Public Assistance Recipients with Job Try Out Opportunities in the Private Sector ...... 122 Proposal. Reduce Hunger and Food Insecurity ........ 123 Part 8. Supporting the Rural and Agricultural Economy ..................................................................................................... 127 Proposal. Continue the Revitalization of the New York State Fairgrounds .............................................................. 130 Proposal. Fund Key Programs to Support New York’s Farmers ................................................................................ 132 Proposal. Create a $15 Million Food and Agriculture Challenge for New York