Cuomo touts economic gains, calls for review of justice system, in inaugural address

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo begins his second term with an upbeat assessment of the New York State’s economy, but also points to concerns in other areas, in light of recent events. 
In his inaugural address on New Year’s Day, Cuomo noted creation of 500,000 private sector jobs.
“This state today has 7.6 million jobs, more than have ever existed in the history of the State of New York,” Cuomo said. “That is what we have today. We turned a $10 billion deficit into a $5 billion surplus.”
Recent events, including the death of Eric Gardner in an incident involving police on Staten Island, prompted the governor to call for some honest introspection.
“The truth is the justice system does need review,” Cuomo said. “The truth is there are troubling questions that have been raised that must be answered. The truth is police officers need do more safety and need more protection. The truth is law enforcement needs the respect of the community as much as the community needs to respect law enforcement. The truth is it is our obligation as leaders to provide the reforms necessary to ensure safety.
Cuomo took time to single out specific lawmakers for their contributions, including some that impact the Hudson Valey.
“Congresswoman Nita Lowey – for the State to do what it needs to do as aggressively as we’ve been doing it. We really need the federal government to be part of it and to be working with us and they have been there every step of the way. I call Senator Schumer sometimes; I ask him for some things and I can hear the shock on the other end of the phone but he never says no and he always goes to it and they have delivered for us time and time again – whether it’s money for Hurricane Sandy 60 billion dollars, money for the Tappan Zee Bridge that Congresswoman Lowey got us.
Cuomo concluded his address with a call for unity
“Every color, every creed is here in New York. Gay and straight, Upstate and Downstate working together to make our diversity a source of strength and not of weakness and to find our commonality all for the same mutual goal of making New York a better state.”