As I write this column, I’ve just come back from listening to Governor Cuomo’s annual State of the State speech. Last year, the governor promised to change the dysfunction in Albany and get our state government working again. With the cooperation of the Legislature and the governor’s office, many initiatives, such as cutting the state’s $10 billion deficit, were achieved.

The governor’s speech this year presents us with an opportunity to continue to build on the accomplishments of 2011 and keep New York moving forward. While we were successful on many fronts last year, the mission of transforming New York’s economy and fixing state government isn’t finished. The Legislature has to continue to work together and across the aisle to finish the people’s business.

Much of the governor’s speech focused on continuing to rebuild our economy, jump-starting economic development and focusing on growing private sector jobs. I was pleased to hear the governor mention agriculture specifically as an economic driver, by proposing that the state’s Linked Deposit Program, which provides low interest 3% loans for business and industry, be open to all farming operations, not just those in specific economic “zones”.

The governor also proposed a Tax Reform and Fairness Commission, which will be tasked with simplifying the tax code, especially for businesses. I am hopeful that this commission will help to deliver real tax relief for our state’s job creators.

As I often say, New York does not have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem, so I was also pleased to hear that the governor plans to work with us to cut the remaining $2 billion deficit, without any new taxes, fees, surcharges or borrowing.

Furthermore, the governor has promised to deliver on unfunded mandate relief for local governments and school districts, including comprehensive pension reform, with an up-or- down vote on the Mandate Relief Council’s recommendations by the end of the 2012 session. I’ve pushed for mandate relief since taking office a year ago, and I will continue to be a vocal proponent for the government to stop shifting its financial burdens onto the backs of local governments and local taxpayers.

While I heard many promising plans in the governor’s speech today, I did not hear him mention anything about ensuring low-wealth, rural school districts have the financial support they need. Last year, schools in the North Country had to bear massive cuts as a result of the Governor’s school aid formula. I’ve written Governor Cuomo about revising the formula to make it fairer for poorer, rural schools, and I will continue to fight to ensure that our students have the same financial resources as students in wealthier parts of the state.

The State of the State is the official kickoff of another legislative session, and with another speech in the record books, I am looking forward to getting to work to return New York State to its once glory as the Empire State.

As always, I welcome your questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my district office, 15 Bridge St., West Carthage, call me at (315) 493-3909, or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.