One such tone was not a pleasant one to county leaders. Near the end of his speech, Cuomo appeared sharply critical of a program in which the state has been picking up cost increases incurred by counties for their share of the Medicaid health insurance program. He called those cost increases "unsustainable,'' but did not say what he might have in mind as a solution. A change in the cost-sharing agreement could present significant financial issues for counties, who then could pass along any additional costs to property taxpayers.

Also of financial note from the speech is a plan to borrow $3 billion for the “Restore Mother Nature Bond Act." It would have to be approved by voters before any money is spent, but Cuomo says the money is needed for everything from wildlife habitation rebuilding to flood mitigation efforts to improving fish hatcheries.

"It is our responsibility to leave our planet cleaner and greener and more sustainable for future generations,'' Cuomo said of the borrowing plan.

Environmental groups praised the bond act plan, but said they wanted to wait to see what Cuomo specifically proposes to fund. “We’re overdue,’’ Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates, said of the 23 years since New York last approved a borrowing for environmental spending.