Cuomo discusses arts re-opening, broadband access
Next phase of recovery centers on ‘reimagining’ New York’s economy in a post-pandemic world
ALBANY, N.Y. » Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented part two of his State of the State agenda on Tuesday morning. The second stanza centered around “reimagining” New York’s economy in a post-pandemic world. Cuomo’s focus was trained on reviving arts and entertainment, as well as expanding access and lowering costs of high-speed broadband internet.
As he did on Monday, the governor reiterated the need to ramp up rapid tests and test centers to either keep open or re-open certain sectors of the economy. Although there is still debate as to the accuracy of such tests when compared to the gold standard PCR tests.
Cuomo cited Saturday’s Buffalo Bills playoff game, where 7,000 spectators were tested by the New York State Department of Health, as a template to re-open other entertainment venues as well.
“We will need to adjust to the new social and economic realities of the post- COVID world,” Cuomo said.
“We need to begin to act now. If we don’t, dining will remain at levels too low for restaurants to survive. Offices will remain empty, hurting the service business that depend on those office workers. Theaters and sports ven
ues will sit empty. People will remain out of work,” Cuomo commented on the need to re- open smartly and safely.
“Testing is the key to reopening our economy before the vaccine hits critical mass. Rapid testing poses great possibilities. It can be completed in as little as 15 minutes,” Cuomo continued on the need to lead on rapid testing.
“Why can’t we use rapid testing to open restaurants in orange zones? Theaters, offices, there are so many options,” Cuomo added on utilizing the tests.
While Cuomo proposed outfitting certain buildings for rapid testing, there are still questions of access and affordability in obtaining frequent tests, especially upstate.
The governor further expounded upon the need to resuscitate the arts and entertainment sectors around the state.
“We must accelerate the return of the arts. Cities are by definition centers of energy, entertainment, theater, and cuisine,” Cuomo remarked.
“Without that activity and attraction, cities lose much of their appeal. What is a city without social, cultural, and creative synergies?” Cuomo continued.
“I see little of more importance tothe future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist,” Cuomo added, quoting the late President John F. Kennedy.
According to Cuomo, the arts and culture industry accounts for almost 500,000 jobs and generates $120 billion in economic output.
“These artists are part of what makes New York, New York,” Cuomo said.
To that end, the governor announced a new New York arts-revival, a publicprivate partnership to bring back the arts. Cuomo added that more than 150 artists and organizations are expected to participate, including the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
According to Cuomo, performances and exhibitions will be held at outdoor sites in New York City and across the state, including state parks and state properties, as well as flexible sites adapted for social distancing.
Shifting in his speech, the governor moved to the new reality of remote business.
“The remote economy is now real. Zoom will not go away. For some, work from home will be a part of their new normal,” Cuomo remarked.
“Online business will continue to increase. We must embrace it, not deny it. We must prepare and help guide it,” Cuomo continued.
“A remote economy requires high- speed internet for all. We need to ensure a level playing field. No one can be left behind. New York must be the first state to develop the infrastructure of the future,” Cuomo added on the need for internet expansion.
The governor’s proposal aims to pass the first-in-thenation mandate that internet service providers recognize their personal responsibility and offer $15 dollars per month high- speed internet service to all low-income households.
While increased affordability is a welcome sign, many upstate communities are still without access to take full advantage of more affordable rates. Communities in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties, as well as up into the North Country, are stillwaiting after Cuomo in 2016 pledged to make universal access to high-speed internet available to all New Yorkers by 2018.
The governor went on to detail how vital access and affordability is froma social and economic justice standpoint as well.
“Now more than ever, high- speed internet has become essential in every household. You can’t go to school, work from home, or visit your doctor by telehealth without it,” Cuomo explained.
“New York has led the way in building out broadband infrastructure, and now we must ensure that internet service is affordable to give every family and community the connectivity tools they need to succeed,” Cuomo added.
To bridge the gap during the COVID-19 emergency and help the most in need children across New York State, the Governor’s blue-ribbon Reimagine New York Commission, Schmidt Futures and the Ford Foundation will launch a new hardship fund to pay for internet subscriptions for students who cannot afford $15 a month during the COVID-19 crisis. To ensure students also get the laptops and hot spots they need, the State will expedite Smart Schools Bond Act funding to school districts to meet outstanding device needs.
To combat practices that limit consumer choice and increase the cost of internet services, the Public Service Commission will require adherence to a universal “broadband disclosure” that explains all charges, such as device, termination, activation, and equipment fees in plain and easy to understand language so consumers will no longer get hit with unexpected charges.
In addition, the state will undertake other actions to spur further investment in access including promoting a “dig once” policy to facilitate the buildout of fiber across the state, launching a website to help New Yorkers find the affordable plan in their area and report on coverage gaps and consumer experiences, as well as other efforts to close the literacy and digital skills gap that persists in underserved communities.
Prior to the speech, Cuomo confirmed that per CDC guidance, New Yorkers age 65+ are eligible for the COVID vaccine, effective immediately.
New Yorkers are encouraged to check their eligibility and find nearby vaccination locations.
“[ The CDC] suggest we open it up to 65-plus and immunocompromised and they don’t define immunocompromised. Immunocompromised is a category that can be defined a number of ways. Obviously, it’s people with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down syndrome, heart conditions, obesity can be considered immunocompromised, pregnancy, sickle cell, smoking can classify a person as immunocompromised, type 2 diabetes is immunocompromised, asthma, so that has to be defined,” Cuomo noted on those potentially deemed eligible by CDC.
“I urge patience as unfortunately there are far more eligible New Yorkers than there is vaccine supply fromthe federal government,” Cuomo added on the vaccine rollout.