Andrew Cuomo plans to kick off his second term as New York's governor with inaugural speeches in New York City and Buffalo.
The Democrat planned to take the oath of office in a private ceremony at the governor's mansion on New Year's Eve, alongside incoming Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.
He is scheduled to make remarks in New York City at the World Trade Center at noon Thursday. Cuomo then intends to travel to Buffalo -- Hochul's home -- to make a speech in the late afternoon at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.
Cuomo has said he wants to focus his second term on continued efforts to revitalize upstate New York, overhaul public education and make government more effective. The 57-year-old Democrat won his second term last fall when he defeated Republican Rob Astorino 54 percent to 40 percent.
On Wednesday, Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his state of the state address to lawmakers, who will begin their 2015 session next week.
This year's legislative action is expected to feature debates over the minimum wage, New York City's rent stabilization rules and government ethics. Lawmakers also will grapple with the best way to spend a $5 billion windfall from bank settlements; suggestions include highways, bridges and New York City subways.
Cuomo and lawmakers have also vowed to address police safety and training following the shooting deaths of two New York City officers and a grand jury's decision not to indict an officer in the death of Eric Garner.
