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New York’s Andrew Cuomo will be adding a new twist to the annual political ritual.
Instead of the usual speech to the state Legislature, the Westchester resident will deliver his message directly to the people.
He will make a series of stops around the state during the week of Jan. 9, said his chief of staff, Melissa DeRosa, Monday.
His road trip is expected to take him to the Hudson Valley, New York City, western New York, Long Island, the Capital Region and central New York.
“Our efforts have focused on regional development strategies across the state and we want the opportunity to lay out regional accomplishments, goals and challenges,” DeRosa explained.
Cuomo plans to announced “regional initiatives and groundbreaking proposals” that he will advance in 2017, DeRosa said, adding that the governor is looking “forward to articulating his vision for a stronger, brighter New York in the weeks ahead.”
The state constitution requires the governor to update the Legislature on the condition of the state each year, but it doesn’t say when and where he or she has to do it.
Historically, governors have delivered written messages to the Legislature. But that all changed in 1923 when four-term and one-time Democratic candidate for president Gov. Alfred Emanuel “Al” Smith added the speech element.
According to auburnpub.com, Cuomo, who took office in 2011, hasn’t been afraid to march to the beat of his own drummer.
Instead of the traditional spot – the Assembly chambers, Cuomo has made the state-of-the-state speech at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, auburnpub.com reported.
Following the New Year’s Day, death of his father, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo in 2015, he has combined his speech with an executive budget presentation, according to auburnpub.com’s story.
The specific times, dates and locations of Cuomo’s appearances have not yet been scheduled.
To read auburnpub.com’s story, click here.
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