ALBANY – In provocative break with tradition, Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo announced he would move the governor’s annual “State of the State” address from the ornate Assembly chamber to a nearby convention hall.
The Democratic attorney general – who revealed the plans in an announcement with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) – said using the larger convention hall in the surrounding state government office complex would allow more regular folks to hear the speech.
General admission tickets to Cuomo’s so-called “Message to the People” will be distributed by lottery with details to follow.
The move, however, could still be seen as a slap at Silver and the Legislature in general, which has hosted the annual policy address for generations.
“The change in setting is a metaphor for the change we must undergo as a state,” Cuomo said. “We must reconnect with the people and rebuild a relationship of trust.”
The state Constitution requires the speech, mandating the governor to “communicate by message to the Legislature at every session the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to it as he or she shall judge expedient.” The law makes no mention of venue.
brendan.scott@nypost.com