After listening to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s first State of the State address today, I walked away optimistic and hopeful. When many New Yorkers lack trust in state government and do not believe that it can deliver on what it promises, the time to act boldly is more than evident. A plan to fix this state’s fiscal problems should be put into motion immediately. While there certainly are no easy fixes for the state’s woes, many of the ideas highlighted by the governor today are ideas that I have long advocated to help our state’s economic recovery. The Legislature has many new members within its ranks elected to be the voice of dissatisfied New Yorkers, and it is paramount that we put aside partisanship and get to the real work of tackling the state’s economic and budgetary issues.

It is our challenge to not just talk about what must be done but to roll up our sleeves and get to work on the issues that are plaguing New York. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get our great state back on track.