Andrew Cuomo Takes New York Reins

In a small inauguration ceremony, newly inaugurated Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters that he plans to make some serious reforms to combat the extraordinary deficit in New York. With the state nearly $1 billion in debt, Cuomo promised to create an emergency financial plan as early as next week. Citing a mandate from voters, he also said he wanted to consolidate local government, reform ethics, cap taxes, rebuild the “trust deficit” left by corrupt leaders, and create "jobs, jobs, jobs." But Cuomo will stick to his predecessor's plan to lay off 900 state employees. The governor's top aide Steven Cohen said, "We believe in open government. We believe this Capitol belongs to the people."