ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo yesterday revealed that he will propose authorizing “destination gaming locations” to help spur the state’s ailing economy.
He also hinted at what is expected to be a proposal to hike taxes on high-income earners as part of a “comprehensive reform” of the tax code.
Cuomo did not cite specific potential gambling venues in a statement he released yesterday.
But he noted “the reality that New York is already in the gaming business,” with racinos in Yonkers and Queens and Indian-run casinos upstate.
Legalizing non-Indian gaming at new locations would help “promote job creation and recapture revenue that is currently being lost to other states,” he said.
On taxes, Cuomo has consistently said he won’t support the “millionaires tax” — continuation of an 8.97 percent rate on seven-figure earners that’s due to expire Dec. 31 — and his “reform’’ is not expected to change that.
Speculation in recent days has focused on keeping rates for high-income earners above the former top rate of 6.85 percent, but less than the “millionaires’’ rate.
He would also reduce rates for middle-class taxpayers.
Cuomo called on lawmakers yesterday to “pursue comprehensive reform of our tax code to make it fair, affordable and one that incentives economic growth.”
“The essential problem we face is a struggling national economy with high long-term unemployment and underemployment rates,” he said.
He also proposed:
* A New York Works Initiatie partnership among government, business and labor to finance the fixing and building of roads, bridges and major construction projects.
* A second round of funding for the state’s 10 regional economic-development councils.
* A New York Youth Works program to provide “immediate job training, job placement and tax credits for employers who hire, train and retain inner-city youth,” who he noted face unemployment rates as high as 40 percent.
The state is facing a deficit of as much as $3.8 billion through the fiscal year that ends March 31, 2013.
Lawmakers are planning to return to Albany this week for a possible special session to take steps toward closing the budget gap and to enact a compromise bill to extend “hail taxi” service to the outer boroughs, among other issues.
But Cuomo spokesman Joshua Vlasto said yesterday there were “no resolutions on these issues” and said that without agreements, Cuomo won’t call a special session.
Vlasto said Cuomo and legislative leaders “have begun discussions about the state’s fiscal situation earlier and more intensely than usual,” noting that doesn’t normally happen until after the new year.
“However,” he added, “this is not a normal year.”