ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to close loopholes on a state ban on assault weapons and ammunition clips that carry more than 10 bullets in this third
State of the State speech.According to information provided before the speech, Cuomo's gun proposal would also require follow-ups for owners of handgun licenses to make sure they are still qualified to possess a gun based on criminal and other records.
He also proposes to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.75 an hour, an idea he also pitched a year ago.
Cuomo wants to make possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana seen in "open view" to be punishable by only a violation.
He would also eliminate the Long Island Power Authority, which he said failed during Superstorm Sandy.
Highlights of Gov. Cuomo's State of the State
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Some of the highlights of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2013 State of the State address, delivered Wednesday in Albany:
Guns: A tighter ban on assault weapons and elimination of high-capacity ammunition clips. He also proposes that when a mental health professional determines a person is likely to cause serious harm to someone, the person's firearm license may be revoked and law enforcement could take the person's weapons. The governor calls for a uniform state licensing plan, tough penalties for illegal gun activities and regular review of a gun owner to determine capability to own a firearm.
Casinos: Three Las Vegas-style casinos built on non-Indian land in upstate New York if the casinos are legalized this year.
Storm preparation: The need to fortify New York's power and telecommunication systems after Superstorm Sandy. Cuomo has named commissions to look at infrastructure issues and is seeking federal funding to upgrade systems. Other proposals among many include: Enhance efforts in workforce training by expanding energy career training, update state building code, update Department of Health's review of applications for new hospitals and nursing homes, protect New York Harbor, flood-proof subways and bus depots, build redundancies into fuel system.
Minimum wage: Raising the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour from the current $7.25.
Energy: Creating a "Green Bank" to spur private investment in clean energy projects, extending the NY-Sun Solar Jobs program and encouraging local renewable power sources.
Education: Besides longer school days and years, more pre-kindergarten and funding based on performance, paying high-performing "master teachers" $15,000 extra a year for four years to teach other teachers.
Gender equality: A Women's Equality Act to address things like reproductive rights, pay equity, sexual harassment, human trafficking and tougher order-of-protection laws in addition to other forms of discrimination against women.
Campaign finance reform: 48-hour disclosure of contributions over $500, public financing of state elections, lower contribution limits.
