The Governor's message was astutely deferential to Upstate's need for economic growth, meanwhile Cuomo also avoided triggering the tripwires of controversy
on education and the environment (which provided Zephyr Teachout with opening to garner a third of the 2014 Democratic primary vote); Cuomo advanced strong measures around election law
reform and
on the
criminal justice front vis a vis Bail
reform, as well as the Dream Act and MWBE all of which registered positively with minority voters.
Meanwhile Trump's ascent into the White House bodes ill for one of the Obama Administration's most - admirable efforts: Holding districts accountable for overusing out - of - school suspensions and other harsh school discipline that put poor and minority children onto the school - to - prison pipeline, an important issue both
on the education and
criminal justice reform fronts.