Cuomo unveils new economic strategy

ALBANY -- Outlining his economic strategy, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Sunday called for rewriting the state's income-tax code, creating a special fund for infrastructure projects, launching a jobs program for urban youth and expanding casino gambling in New York.

Cuomo urged lawmakers to take action on the jobs-creation plan he unveiled Sunday in an opinion article sent to newspapers statewide.

His income-tax code changes would possibly raise rates for the wealthy and lower them for others. Cuomo also wants a "comprehensive gaming plan" that could set the stage for a statewide referendum to allow non-Indian-run casinos in the state.

All or portions of the plan could be part of a special legislative session the first-term Democrat is trying to pull together for Wednesday.

A partial repeal of the unpopular payroll tax for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is also on the table, legislative officials said.

"Our goal in New York should be twofold: to fashion a job-creating economic plan, and to defy political gridlock like we see in Washington, and make government work to actually implement the plan," Cuomo wrote. "I will be reaching out to Democratic and Republican officials in a spirit of cooperation and compromise so that together we can enact a real economic program that creates jobs."

Although Cuomo has yet to officially call the session, both houses plan to be at the Capitol by midweek. The Assembly is set to arrive Tuesday, the Senate, on Wednesday.

"Job creation can result from an effective public-private sector partnership focusing on infrastructure development and tax incentives," Cuomo wrote. "Political consensus can be forged by constructing a platform on fair policy rather than political ideology."

Implementation of his plan hinges on two key legislators -- Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), both of whom have said they would support putting a casino-legislation amendment before the public.

But a Skelos spokesman Sunday stopped short of giving full support to Cuomo's agenda.

"Our members believe that the governor's economic program deserves a fair hearing," Skelos aide Scott Reif said. "Especially if he's talking about Senate Republican priorities like cutting taxes and creating private-sector jobs."

A spokesman for Silver declined to comment on Cuomo's plan.

Cuomo has discussed all of the initiatives in his plan over the past few months. He conferred with minority legislators in October about what he called tax "fairness" and high unemployment in urban communities.

He has talked about expanding grants for regional economic-development strategies, speeding up infrastructure construction and expanded gaming for the state.

Many legislators favor allowing non-Indian-run casinos in New York, which would require a constitutional amendment. To do so, the state Senate and Assembly each would have to twice approve a bill and then New Yorkers must vote to approve it in a referendum.

Cuomo said lawmakers should recognize that New York already is in the gambling business and should "create destination gaming locations.

"Through this plan, we can promote job creation and recapture the revenue that is currently being lost to other states," the governor wrote.

Cuomo's economic plan

FIX INFRASTRUCTURE

Create an infrastructure fund -- the New York Works Initiative -- to finance repair and development of highways, bridges and major construction projects.

THINK REGIONALLY

Invest in regional strategies to design innovative blueprints for economic growth.

ADD CASINOS

Pursue a comprehensive gaming plan to create destination gaming locations.

CREATE YOUTH JOBS

Create a New York Youth Works program, a job training and placement for unemployed young people and tax credits for employers who hire them.

CHANGE TAX CODE

Reform the tax code to make it fair and affordable.