Governor Delivers 2021 State of the State

On Tues., Jan. 12^th, Governor Cuomo delivered his second of four anticipated State of the State Addresses. The four installments of the State of the State are being delivered virtually from the Capitol’s War Room. On Jan. 11^th, the Governor provided an overview of his 2021 Agenda: Reimagine, Rebuild, Renew. In his second address, he provided details on his plans to revitalize New York's economy and ensure access and affordability of high-speed internet to low-income families.

The additional announcements to come later this week are expected to focus on the Governor's ambitious plans for green energy and the state's infrastructure. The big takeaways from the first two State of the State Addresses, along with press releases, are outlined below:

Governor Cuomo’s Seven-Point Plan for 2021:

Defeat COVID-19
Vaccinate New York
Manage Short-Term Economic Crisis
Invest in the Future
Transition to Green Energy
Understand Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Address Systemic Injustice

Defeat COVID-19:

Reimagine the Public Health System
Medical Supplies Act – an act to increase domestic, and in-state, manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies
Improvements to Telehealth – modernizing regulations and facilitating access to quality health care, including mental health and substance use disorder services in underserved and rural communities
Open more testing sites, with expanded availability of rapid tests

Vaccines:

Expand vaccine distribution and work with the federal government to increase supply to New York
Launch the New York State Public Health Corps – Up to 1,000 fellows will be recruited to assist with vaccination operations. These fellows will receive an intensive public health training curriculum developed by Cornell University. Bloomberg Philanthropies, Northwell Health, and the Department of Health (DOH) will manage and coordinate the Corps.
Ensure Social and Racial Justice for the Vaccination Effort
Free Citizen Public Health Training – The State will develop a free citizen public health training program with Cornell, offered online, to educate and certify thousands of New Yorkers to be prepared to volunteer to help their communities the next time there is a health emergency. The goal is to train 100,000 New York health emergency volunteers.

Economic Crisis:

Hold the Federal Government Accountable – “Washington has relentlessly abused this state, providing the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate in the nation, starving infrastructure funding, and curtailing the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which raised New Yorkers' taxes and starved New York of $30 billion over three years.”
Legalize Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis
Establish State-Sponsored Online Sports Betting

Invest in the Future:

Expand Broadband Access and Make It Affordable
Convert Vacant Commercial Space to Affordable Public Housing

Transition to Green Energy:

Increase Research and Development for Green Technology
Make New York the Green Energy Capital of the World

Understand Long-Term COVID-19 Effects:

Commercial Eviction Moratorium/Rent and Mortgage Relief
Affordable Healthcare for All – Eliminate premiums for 400,000 more low-income New Yorkers
Election Reform – Mandate that boards of elections perform professional, accurate, and timely vote counts

Address Systemic Injustice:

Enact Common-Sense Gun Safety Reform
Give Mental Health Professionals and Social Workers Larger Roles
Increase Transparency in Police Departments
Ensure Immigrants Are Protected
Combat Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence

Additional Details Provided on Jan. 12^th:

Reopening and Rebuilding the Economy: The Governor highlighted a new focus on rapid testing for COVID-19 and how it can be used to re-open office buildings, movie theaters, etc. The State will partner with property owners to re-open office buildings and test tenants. Some local real estate communities will open as new rapid testing sites.

Additional highlights for rebuilding include:

Commission on the Future of the US Economy – this will draw a roadmap for New Yorkers to find jobs
Conversion of empty commercial space to affordable, homeless, and supportive housing
Jobs of the Future Program – large employers will report on new partnerships and new jobs
New York Arts Revival
- Pop-up performances beginning Feb. 4^th, including comedians, actors, arts organizations, and orchestras
- Performances will be held on state properties, flexible venues, and parks
- Two landmark events: opening of Little Island at Pier 55 and 20^th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival
Broadband
- Making high-speed internet both accessible and affordable
- $15 per month internet to help low-income households

Next Steps

Although the Governor did not specifically address long term care and aging services in his address, we will be following his proposals closely, specifically those that may have an impact on LeadingAge NY members.

With a total of four anticipated State of the State Addresses and no known timeline for when we can expect to see the 2021 Executive Budget Proposal or a State of the State Book, this budget and legislative cycle is already proving to be unprecedented. However, we will continue to keep members informed of updates throughout the week and in this Friday’s Legislative Bulletin.

Once the Executive Budget and other materials become available, we will be reviewing the Governor’s proposals closely and will analyze and report on the proposals impacting our member providers and plans.

While we await further information from the Executive, we encourage members to begin formulating a 2021 Advocacy Plan. To help you prepare, please join us on Fri., Jan. 22^nd for our Government and Virtual Advocacy Webinar. Click here to register today!

Again, we expect more updates to come throughout the week. Stay tuned, and let us know if you have any questions.

Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org