Governor Cuomo delivers 2015 State of the State and budget address

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently presented his "2015 Opportunity Agenda," a combination of the constitutionally required State of the State address and his 2015-16 state fiscal year budget proposal.

The plan sets a $142 billion state budget that would increase overall spending by 2.8 percent to pay for new education spending, infrastructure projects and provide tax relief to certain homeowners. State operating funds — excluding capital spending and federal aid — would increase 1.7 percent, keeping with Cuomo's pledge to keep state spending to less than 2 percent. Total school aid would grow 4.8 percent under Cuomo's plan to $23.1 billion, a $1 billion increase if the Legislature adopts several reform proposals Cuomo included in his presentation. State aid to local governments would remain flat at $715 million, but Cuomo proposed a $150 million fund for local governments who consolidate and share services. Click here to view a summary of the governor’s proposals.