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Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his annual State of the State address earlier this week and also presented his Executive Budget. The Governor's address this year focused on his 2019 "Justice Agenda," concentrating on social, economic and racial issues. The primary areas of focus include: Economic Justice I. Fighting for Tax Fairness II. Building 21st Century Infrastructure III. Continuing NY's Bottom-Up Economic Development Strategy IV. Ensuring A Quality Education for All V. Creating Economic Opportunity for Every New Yorker VI. Ensuring Access to Affordable Housing VII. Combatting Poverty VIII. Supporting the Rural and Agricultural Economy Social Justice I. Advancing Criminal Justice for All II. Legalizing Adult Use Cannabis III. Advancing Reproductive Justice and Women's Equality IV. Creating a Safer New York V. Enacting the Democracy Agenda VI. Enacting Ethics Reform VII. Ensuring Immigrant Rights VIII. Protecting LGBTQ Rights IX. Serving Our Veterans Health and Environmental Justice I. Protecting Quality, Affordable Health Care II. Fighting to End the Opioid Epidemic III. Creating Healthy Communities IV. Launching the Green New Deal V. Continuing New York's Environmental Leadership Read more in the Governor's Briefing Book by clicking here. The 2020 Executive Budget comes in at $175.2 billion, an increase of about 2 percent from last year's budget. Here's a look at some of the proposals that could impact our industry: • Expand Design-Build and Enact Other Efficiencies to Expedite Construction Projects • Invest $750 million for Round Nine of the Regional Economic Development Councils • Proposal. Invest in Communities Across the State Through the Fourth Downtown Revitalization Initiative • Launch the $175 Million Workforce Initiative • Advance a Comprehensive Agenda to Expand Apprenticeships • Launch a New Data Analytics Initiative with Monroe Community College to Map the Workforce Needs of New York's Economy • Expand Employer-Driven Training Opportunities by Enhancing the Employee Training Incentive Program • Protect Workers from Union-Busting Activity by Codifying EO 183 into Law and Expanding its Protections to Local Governments • Increase Criminal Penalties for Wage Theft • Expand Job Opportunities by Banning Credit Checks for Employment • Modernize Workers' Compensation by Allowing More Medical Providers to Treat Injured Workers • Increase Protections Against Harassment in the Workplace • Modernize New York's Pay Equity Law Read the full Budget Briefing Book by clicking here.