Governor Andrew Cuomo gathered with leaders of the legislature Friday to celebrate an on-time budget for the second year in a row.
Cuomo and majority party legislative leaders praised each other for their efforts in achieving two on time budgets in a row, which they say is considered a feat after decades of late budgets. Then, they took turns posing for pictures as the governor signed the first of several budget bills.
Cuomo said government is once again functioning, and it’s a “very proud day for the entire state”.
“This more of a reform plan than a budget,” said Cuomo, who said the spending plan creates “major transformation”.
Cuomo credits the budget, as well as agreements approved in mid-March ,for implementing new teacher evaluations, pension changes that create a new tier of lowered benefits for public employees, and helping local governments with Medicaid costs.
The governor said a major infrastructure initiative will repair dilapidated roads and bridges and create construction jobs.
Click the play button above to hear a report from our Albany correspondent Karen Dewitt.
