Explore the 2012 Interactive Timeline: Drag and click on the photos below to learn more.
2012 State of the State
In January 2012, Governor Cuomo delivered his second State of the State address and Executive Budget presentation in which he laid out a transformational blueprint for our state. The New York Works program invests billions of dollars in key public-private sector partnerships to rebuild our state’s aging infrastructure and create thousands of new jobs across the state; makes significant investments to strengthen New York’s communities; and redesigns how government operates in order to get results for the people while protecting taxpayer dollars.
January 2012
The Governor put forth a plan to rein in skyrocketing public pension costs, which have been a major drain on local governments, driven up property taxes and put an enormous burden on working class families. Pension costs were projected to increase from 2009 to 2015 by a rate of 185%. This rate was unsustainable. With bipartisan support, Governor Cuomo passed a sweeping pension reform plan – not affecting any current employees or retirees – that will save more than $80 billion over 30 years. Without this vital reform, New Yorkers would have seen substantial tax increases and the reduction of other vital services.
March 2012
In 2012, Governor Cuomo delivered a budget that was not just on-time, as the 2011 Executive Budget was, but early. The 2012 Executive Budget closed a $2 billion deficit with no new taxes, fees, or gimmicks, and limited spending growth to two percent or less for the second year in a row. There was also a decrease in spending for the second year in a row – the first time that has happened in at least three decades. The state’s streamlining of government operations helped agencies to avoid increases in their spending.
The Executive Budget funded the Governor’s New York Works Agenda. Through publicprivate partnerships, this comprehensive economic plan leverages State resources to generate billions of dollars in economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs while improving bridges, roadways, municipal water systems, state parks and historic sites, and flood control projects across our state.
March 2012
Read More: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/03302012-budget
To ensure a cost-efficient, reliable, and clean supply of power to fuel the state’s economic growth, the Governor launched the “Energy Highway” initiative to modernize and expand the state’s energy infrastructure. “The Energy Highway” will create the capability to move power throughout the state to support economic development and job growth in every corner of New York. The initiative also calls for the repowering of old and dirty plants to reduce pollution in urban neighborhoods.
March 2012
Learn more: www.nyenergyhighway.com
In May 2012, Governor Cuomo announced $60 million in capital funding for a new round of NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grants, continuing one of the most ambitious transformations of SUNY campuses in decades. Sixty campuses, excluding the university centers that received funding in the previous round, will compete for up to 12 challenge grants, between $5 and $20 million, that will support the role of the state university system as an engine of economic growth and job creation. The grants are jointly funded by the State and SUNY.
March 2012
Future generations of New York’s students cannot compete in the global economy unless we dramatically reform our education system. Governor Cuomo established the New NY Education Reform Commission to explore ways to best prepare all of New York’s students to be college and career ready. The Commission, chaired by former Citigroup Chair Richard Parsons, brings together nationally-recognized education, community, and business leaders to recommend reforms in education to improve performance in the classroom so that all of New York’s students are fully prepared for their futures. In July 2012, the Commission began a series of public hearings to gather input from local stakeholders, students and the general public on actions that can improve New York’s public education system in order to better meet the needs of its students while also respecting the taxpayer.
Summer 2012
Learn More: http://www.governor.ny.gov/puttingstudentsfirst
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has worked to bring state government into the 21st century and to be more user friendly for all New Yorkers. In August, the Governor announced a new online voter registration service that allows New Yorkers -- for the first time ever -- to apply to register to vote, or update their address or party enrollment, through a secure online site. To date, more than 100,400 New Yorkers – including nearly 40,000 new voters - have used the online system to register to vote or to change their address or party enrollment.
August 2012
Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders enacted a new law that will more effectively prohibit internet access to child pornography and ensure that child pornography can never be legally possessed in the state. The legislation, signed in September, prohibits individuals from knowingly accessing, with the intent of viewing, child pornography on the internet. This legislation closes a loophole to provide that an individual intentionally accessing a website to view child pornography can be charged with a class E felony.
September 2012
In 2011, Governor Cuomo led the fight for a state property tax cap, and a report issued in September of this past year attests to its effectiveness – the report found that in its first year, the cap succeeded in holding average property tax growth to 2 percent, which is 60 percent less than the previous ten-year average. The report revealed that out of 3,077 local governments and school districts reporting a proposed levy in the past year, 84 percent reported a levy within the capped amount. The cap also helped encourage school boards to propose lower tax increases. According to the report, 92.8 percent of school districts presented voters with budgets that were at or below allowable tax levy increases under the cap. Of these, 99.2 percent were approved by the voters on the initial vote.
September 2012
New York is home to more than 450 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries, which account for more than $22 billion in economic impact each year and support tens of thousands of jobs statewide. The state ranks third in the nation in wine and grape production, has the second-most distilleries, and three of the 20 top-producing brewers in the United States are located in New York. A legislative package signed by the Governor in July provides critical incentives and tax relief for New York States craft and farm brewers. To further support industry, the Governor hosted the state’s first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in October and announced plans for a new marketing campaign to promote state- produced wine, beer, cider, and spirits sales and tourism, as well as a series of regulatory reforms that will significantly reduce business costs for beverage producers.
October 2012
Hurricane Sandy was the worst natural disaster to hit New York State in decades, bringing widespread devastation our state. Its impact was devastating: 131 people were killed, including 60 in New York State, two million customers were left without power, roads and subway tunnels experienced catastrophic flooding, major transmission systems were damaged, and more than 300,000 housing units destroyed or damaged, leaving countless families homeless. The financial impact of the storm was equally staggering, with an estimated cost of $42 billion.
Four days before the storm’s forecasted arrival, Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency and ordered the state’s Emergency Operations Center to operate 24 hours a day. The Governor deployed nearly 2,100 members of the National Guard to aid local authorities in responding to storm emergencies and damage. To protect the public, the Governor ordered the shutdown of all MTA services starting the evening of October 28. He also closed all major state bridges and tunnels in the storm’s path.
Throughout the evening of October 29 and the following day, as the storm continued to hit with high winds and heavy rains, Governor Cuomo headed the storm response and recovery efforts, keeping in constant contact with emergency responders, local officials, and the White House.
October 2012
Up to $762 million in new state funding and tax incentives were made available as part of a second Regional Economic Development Council competition. As part of the second round of the funding process, Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy traveled to all ten regions of the state to view progress on projects that have received state funding, as well as assess projects included in the region's 2012 application. The competition encourages community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources in order to create jobs and support economic growth. On December 19, all ten regions were awarded funding based on the strength of their plans.
December 2012
Recognizing the importance of energy efficiency to New York State's economy and environment, Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order directing state agencies to reduce energy consumption in state buildings by 20% in the next seven years. The Governor also launched Build Smart NY – a plan to strategically implement the Executive Order by accelerating priority improvements in energy performance.
One of the most ambitious energy efficiency initiatives in the nation, Build Smart NY will save millions of dollars for taxpayers and create thousands of jobs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The largest and most inefficient buildings will be addressed first and undergo comprehensive whole-building improvements. Building improvements include measures like new lighting fixtures and controls, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, electric motors, and automated energy management systems. Build Smart NY supports the Governor's larger NY Works program and economic development agenda, which coordinates state funding to accelerate projects that will create jobs and improve the state's infrastructure.
December 2012
NY Students First
Track Your School District’s Progress
No area of government needs greater reform than our public education system. New York spends more than any other state per pupil, but ranks only 39th in graduation rates. That’s why Governor Cuomo made it a priority to adopt a statewide teacher evaluation system that focuses on improving student performance and school accountability. As a result of the Governor’s leadership, the teacher unions and the State Education Department came to a groundbreaking agreement, later passed by the Legislature, that will put students first and make New York a national leader in holding teachers accountable for student achievement.
March 2012
To better protect all New Yorkers, Governor Cuomo successfully led the fight to establish the first all-crimes DNA databank in the nation. Under the Governor’s new law, DNA samples must be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or Penal Law misdemeanor in New York State. Individuals who commit these misdemeanors often go on to perpetrate more serious and violent crimes. An expanded DNA databank – in addition to preventing and solving crime – helps to exonerate the innocent. The law includes important provisions to help free those who have been wrongly charged or convicted.
March 2012
Learn More: http://www.governor.ny.gov/BuildingaNewNYdna/dna-databank
Buffalo is New York’s second largest city. It struggles with high unemployment and the highest percentage of residents living below the poverty line in our state. Yet urban experts believe that Buffalo can lead the next economic wave through technological innovation and advanced manufacturing. To help make this goal a reality, the Governor announced that New York State will offer industries that invest in Buffalo up to $1 billion in multi-year economic development incentives. By inviting national and global investments – similar to those that made the Capital Region a world-class center for nanotechnology – the goal of the Governor’s plan is to create tens of thousands of jobs and spur at least $5 billion in new investment and economic activity.
March 2012
As part of the New New York Works program, Governor Cuomo announced plans to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Governor’s plan for a New NY Bridge will replace the outdated and overcrowded Tappan Zee with a modern state-of-the-art bridge that reduce congestion, increase safer for drivers, and create more than 45,000 new jobs. The building process also includes a New NY Bridge Community Action Team that is holding meetings around the Hudson Valley region to address resident questions and keep them informed and aware.
March 2012
Learn More: www.newnybridge.com
Governor Cuomo established the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs to transform how our state protects over one million New Yorkers under the care or jurisdiction of the state. It will reform a system that has long been deeply flawed, lacking firm standards for tracking and investigating complaints or punishing those who commit abuse. The law puts into place the strongest standards and practices in the nation to protect those with special needs or disabilities.
June 2012
Learn More: http://www.governor.ny.gov/Justice4SpecialNeeds/home
The illegal use of bath salts and other synthetic drugs has become increasingly widespread and poses a serious threat to public health and safety in New York State. As of August, there had already been 191 emergency room visits in upstate New York in 2012 as a result of using bath salts. These visits show a drastic increase from the 39 reported visits in 2011. To combat this dangerous rise in synthetic drug use, Governor Cuomo announced new regulations that will help our law enforcement keep these harmful substances from being sold and distributed in New York.
August 2012
In August, Governor Cuomo hosted New York’s first Yogurt Summit, bringing together industry leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders from New York’s booming yogurt industry to discuss how to remove barriers to growth and find new ideas to support the industry. After listening to the suggestions and concerns of industry leaders, the Governor announced new actions to help dairy farmers increase the size of their herds and therefore increase milk production. The Governor also announced that the State will work with the dairy farmers to help better manage the large amount of waste produced by cows and save money on energy costs by turning waste into a renewable source of energy.
August 2012
For the second year in a row, the Governor opened every state park on time. Attendance at state parks and historic sites has increased by 8.9% over the same period last year. Camping attendance was also very strong this year, with a 7% increase in overnight stays over last year. In October, the Governor announced an expansion of the park system with the addition of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York City as the 179th State Park.
October 2012
With an estimated 450,000 domestic violence incidents in New York each year, domestic violence is an ongoing crisis affecting women and families across our state. Governor Cuomo has worked to strengthen measures to protect victims of domestic violence and crack down on repeat offenders, and in October, he signed legislation that will toughen the state’s response to domestic violence, as well as provide survivors with the support they need to more safely sever ties with their abusers.
This critical package of legislation addresses one of the underlying problems of domestic violence – repeated abuse. The new legislation increases penalties for serial offenders who repeatedly harm their families and creates stricter criteria for determining bail.
October 2012
In October, the Energy Highway Blueprint was launched – identifying specific actions to modernize and expand the State’s electric infrastructure. The comprehensive plan, supported by up to $5.7 billion in public and private investments, will add up to 3,200 megawatts (MW) of additional electric generation and transmission capacity and clean power generation. The Blueprint reaches every corner of the state with both locally focused and statewide actions and will support regional job growth and economic development.
October 2012
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Governor Cuomo directed state operations to ensure that New York City’s transit system would soon be up and running. He reopened bridges and deployed thousands of utility personnel to Long Island, where 90% of the customer base had lost power. He pushed utilities to return power as swiftly as possible to the millions left in the dark.
The Governor and his administration took other swift and decisive actions to address the immediate needs of New Yorkers affected by the storm, including seeking tens of billions in federal aid for municipalities and the state, securing millions of dollars in federal aid to hire workers for clean-up efforts, suspending numerous state regulations to expedite recovery efforts, and obtaining FEMA Emergency Assistance for Homeowners.
To address the long-term needs of storm victims and to secure our future safety, the Governor has charged three commissions to undertake a comprehensive review to improve New York State’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities, as well as to examine the ways in which the state’s infrastructure can be improved to better withstand major weather incidents. Additionally, he created a Moreland Act Commission to investigate and study utility companies’ storm preparation and management. The Commissions will provide preliminary reports in January.
November 2012 - Present
In early December, three bids for the new bridge design to replace the Tappan Zee were made available for public comment and review, along with a recommendation by a committee appointed by the Governor. On December 17, the Thruway Authority awarded a contract approximately $2 billion less than the original estimate that is the best value and least cost to the New York toll payer. It’s the latest achievement in the expedited efforts to replace the bridge, which carries about 138,000 vehicles each day, and will boost the economy by creating and sustaining 45,000 jobs. Governor Cuomo has made more progress realizing this vision for a new bridge than three administrations made in over 13 years. Work on construction will begin in 2013.
While the old Tappan Zee Bridge has been a metaphor for our State’s past struggles, Governor Cuomo’s new bridge will represent what is possible when we come together as New Yorkers.
December 2012