Cuomo's 2015 Opportunity Agenda

           With his most recent victory in the 2014 gubernatorial election over Rob Astorino (R), Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) is ready to jumpstart his new term.  Cuomo’s 2015 Opportunity Agenda plan outlines a few key proposals to restore New York State’s economy through lowering small business taxes and improving mass transportation, particularly in the airports.

            Since the financial crisis of 2009, New York State’s economy has struggled to bounce back. Economic opportunity for small businesses has struggled as large corporations have swallowed them up. The Opportunity Agenda of 2015 has thirty-four proposals to increase economic opportunity and wealth within the state. The first proposal is to decrease small business taxes from 6.5% to 2.5%. Reducing the small business taxes to 2.5% makes it the lowest small business tax rate since 1917. With 98% of New York State Employment coming from small businesses, decreasing taxes could benefit and stimulate the economy.

            The State of New York is one of the most technologically advanced states in the United States; however, transportation has seen little improvement in the last few decades. “John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia International Airports create nearly 350,000 jobs, create $18 billion in wages, and generate more than $50 billion in economic activity”(Governor). It’s about time that New York does something to improve mass transportation in the state. Modernizing the “worst rated airport in the country”(Governor) is of high importance for Governor Cuomo. An estimated eighty million passengers travel through the two airports every year, so renovating the airports to become a pleasurable travel experience is a priority. While also improving the airport terminals, many of the improvements also include the Air-Tran, which will connect to the subway, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads.

            With a price tag of $17 billion dollars to be put towards infrastructure, transportation, and developing natural recourses, a lot of money will be designated to spend on improving means of travel. Renovating the airports will create both short term and long term jobs, boost economic growth in the area and provide a better experience for New Yorkers and visitors. The 2015 Opportunity Agenda Plan is a bold outline of where Cuomo wants to take New York State. With many priorities on top of his list, it should be interesting to see which one he starts the 2015 year with.

           

Information retrieved from: http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/2015-opportunity-agenda-restoring-economic-opportunity-7

Picture from:  http://queens.brownstoner.com/tag/jfk-airport/