It sure looks like a new beginning for New York.
In his State of the State speech on Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo targeted gambling to raise state revenues, touched on a $2 billion private sector plan to transmit power from upstate New York to the metropolitan area and reducing the burden of public pensions. The governor also discussed the state's infrastructure, schools and the important agriculture sector.
But in the end, how much this plan will benefit our region and county in the future remains a question. One of the proposals highlighted for Western New York was throwing money at the poverty problem in Buffalo - $1 billion to boost jobs and business. Time will tell if that will be a fix.
In the end, Cuomo said he wants to avoid tax increases this year and wants a commission to study long-term changes to the state's tax system to close loopholes and boost collection enforcement, among other issues.
Though unsaid, the gambling and enforcement issues definitely target a local neighbor and important economic engine for the area - the Seneca Nation of Indians.
