REIMAGINE | REBUILD | RENEW 2021 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 2021. Additional policies and funding details will be included in the upcoming Governor's Executive Budget. 1 Contents 1. Conquering COVID and Reimagining Public Health ..................................................................................... 14 Part 1: Leading the Nation in Fighting Infectious Diseases ............................................................................. 16 Proposal. Secure In-State PPE Supply Chain and Pass the Medical Supply Act ........................................... 17 Proposal. Make “Surge and Flex” Regulations Permanent.............................................................................. 19 Proposal. Create the Citizens Public Health Council to Train Volunteers in Public Health Preparedness ........................................................................ 20 Proposal. Launch a $40 Million New York State Biodefense Commercialization Fund ......................... 21 Part 2: Ensure All New Yorkers Have Access to the Benefits of Telehealth .................................................. 24 Proposal. Eliminate Obsolete Provider Location Requirements for Insurance Reimbursement ........ 26 Proposal. Increase Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Through Telehealth .............................................................................. 27 Proposal. Increase Coverage and Ensure Insurance Reimbursement for Telehealth ..................................... 28 Proposal. Mandate Coverage for Virtual Emergency Department Services and other Telehealth Technological Advancements ........................................ 29 Proposal. Support Patients and Providers through Professional Development, Education, and Innovative Support Programs ....................................... 30 2 Part 3: Making New York the First COVID-Safe State .................................................................................... 31 Proposal. Ensure Comprehensive, Safe, Equitable, and Rapid Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine Throughout New York State ........................................... 31 Proposal. New York Vaccine Equity Task Force to Ensure Underserved Communities Are Not Left Behind ...................................................................................... 33 Proposal. Enlist 1,000 People for the First-In-the- Nation Public Health Corps ............................................ 34 Proposal. Provide Workers Paid Time Off to Get Vaccinated .............................................................................. 35 Part 4: Strengthening the Health Care Workforce......................................................................... 36 Proposal. Provide New York’s Heroic Nurses Preferred Access to SUNY and CUNY ......................... 36 Proposal. Develop New Pathways in Health Care Careers ..................................................................................... 37 Proposal. Modernize Office of Professional Medical Conduct ................................................................................... 42 Part 5: Expanding Access to Health Insurance .... 44 Proposal. Eliminate Health Care Premiums for 400,000 Low-Income New Yorkers, Providing Coverage to 100,000 Uninsured New Yorkers ....... 44 Part 6: Addressing Systemic Disparities in Access to Health Care .................................................................. 46 Proposal. Expand Access to Services in Health Care Deserts ..................................................................................... 48 Proposal. Eliminate Disparities in Health Insurance Benefits and Reimbursement Incentives .................. 50 3 Proposal. Cutting the Cost of Prescription Drugs . 52 Part 7: Expanding Mental Health and Addiction Services ............................................................................. 53 Proposal. Establish a Comprehensive Crisis Response Services Program ........................................... 55 Proposal. Promote Integrated Addiction and Mental Health Care through Streamlined Licensing ........... 58 Proposal. Continue Innovation in Opioid Treatment .............................................................................. 60 Proposal. Protecting New Yorkers with Addiction and their Families from Predatory Practices .......... 63 2. Reopening and Revitalizing New York Businesses ............................................................................ 66 Part 1: Safely and Rapidly Reopen Businesses .... 67 Proposal. Create a Rapid Testing Network as a Tool to Help Businesses Reopen ............................................. 67 Proposal. Develop a Mobile App to Fast-Track Reopening Theaters, Stadiums, and Other Businesses .............................................................................. 69 Proposal. Support the Return to COVID-Safe Workplaces ............................................................................ 70 Proposal. Adapt Spaces to Safely Bring Back the Arts and Support Artists .................................................. 72 Proposal. Creatively Repurpose Underutilized Commercial Space for Additional Housing .............. 75 Proposal. World-Leading Aerosols Study with MIT to Ensure the Continued Safety of Public Transit . 77 Proposal. Rediscover New York Campaign to Increase Tourism ................................................................ 79 4 Proposal. Convene a Commission on the Future of New York’s Economy ........................................................ 79 Part 2: Stabilize the Economy in the Wake of COVID ................................................................................. 81 Proposal. Fight for Overdue Federal Support to States Fighting COVID-19 ................................................ 81 Proposal. Pass a Comprehensive Adult-Use Cannabis Program .............................................................. 83 Proposal. Enable Online Sports Wagering ............... 86 Part 3: Support Small Businesses ............................. 88 Proposal. Provide Lease Assistance to New York’s Small Businesses ................................................................. 89 Proposal. Facilitate Digital Sales for Retail, Food, and Beverage Businesses ................................................ 92 Proposal. Get New Bars and Restaurants in New York City Up and Running Sooner with Temporary Operating Permits .............................................................. 94 Proposal. Expand Licensing of Movie Theaters to Serve Alcoholic Beverages .............................................. 95 Proposal. Support to Incubate Minority- and Women-Owned Technology Startups ........................ 96 Proposal. Establish the New York BankTech Innovation Network .......................................................... 98 Proposal. Codify and Expand Commonsense COVID- Era Reforms ......................................................................... 101 Proposal. Leverage the Expertise of the Regional Economic Development Councils to Invest in a Statewide Recovery ......................................................... 103 Part 4: Support New York’s Farmers ................... 104 5 Proposal. Deliver New York Agricultural Products to Feed Families in Need which is Good for Families and Good for Farmers ..................................................... 105 Proposal. Grow New York’s Hemp Industry ......... 107 Part 5: Train Workers for High-Growth Sectors ............................................................................ 108 Proposal. Partner with New York’s Leading Businesses to Invest in Workforce Training, Expand Apprenticeships and Mentorships, and Reform Recruitment and Promotion Policies ....................... 110 Proposal. New Scholarship to Train and Certify People for in Demand Jobs ............................................ 112 Proposal. Expand SUNY’s Online Training Center ..................................................................................... 114 Proposal. Support Business-Led Retraining by Expanding the Employee Training Incentive Program ................................................................................ 115 3. Building the Green Economy .................................. 118 Part 1: Spurring the Green Energy Economy .... 120 Proposal. $26 Billion Public-Private Partnership to Build Nearly 100 Renewable Energy Projects ..... 121 Proposal. Build 40 New Community Solar Projects for Local Governments to Create 1,250 Jobs......... 124 Proposal. Continue New York’s Nation-Leading Offshore Wind Program by Awarding Two New Offshore Wind Farms – the Largest Ever Renewable Energy Procurement by Any State ............................ 126 Proposal. Make New York a Global Wind Energy Manufacturing Powerhouse ......................................... 128 6 Proposal. Construct New York’s Green Energy Transmission Superhighway ....................................... 129 Proposal. Offshore Wind Training Institute to Train at Least 2,500 New Yorkers for Good-Paying Jobs .........................................................................................