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Gov. Andrew Cuomo addresses a Buffalo audience while his "State of the State" presentation is broadcast Monday. Cuomo's address to Buffalo included updates on economic development and his proposal for bringing ride-booking apps like Uber to Upstate NY.

(Screengrab from "State of the State")

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo received booming applause when he announced a fan-favorite proposal in his 2017 agenda:

Ride-booking apps for Upstate New York.

He was light on specifics during the roughly hour-long speech in Buffalo on Monday, and he quickly moved on to other topics. But he outlined what he saw as the benefits of allowing the apps to operate here: Less drunken driving, jobs for drivers, making transportation less expensive and "promoting safety for passengers."

He suggested legislators are to blame for failing to allow the app to operate here, and he joked that Buffalo residents shouldn't let their legislators come home from the ongoing legislative session without passing the bill.

In a news release following the speech, the governor outlined eight components of the ride-booking service proposal he intends to push as lawmakers convene in Albany. Some of those plan components include:

Requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to license and oversee ride-booking companies, giving the DMV "broad auditing powers" to ensure compliance

Establishing minimum background check standards, disqualifying would-be drivers with "certain convictions." The news release did not mention fingerprinting, which is a requirement of many current Upstate taxi drivers.

Requiring minimum auto insurance for companies and drivers coverage of $1 million while vehicles are on their way to or transporting a passenger

Establishing workers' compensation for drivers through the Black Car Fund, which covers workers' comp for taxi and livery drivers

Establishing an anti-discrimination requirement and a task force to recommend policies on ensuring ride-booking app access for riders with disabilities.

In response, the Upstate Transportation Association, which represents taxi companies, criticized the governor's proposal for what it said were gaps in the background check process.

"Ridesharing can only exist statewide if Uber and Lyft operate Upstate under the same safety and insurance regulations that currently protect riders in New York City," president John Tomassi said in a news release. "Ridesharing companies already fingerprint drivers in New York City and it would be reckless for lawmakers to consider any legislation that lacks this basic protection for upstate passengers."

Many legislators declined to attend the speech, one of six statewide this week, due to the session or possibly to boycott it over an end-of-year fracas over pay raises.

As for Uber, Buffalo is the biggest city nationwide without access to the app, a point that the Buffalo Bills football players and many others have repeatedly stressed to legislators. Uber's lobbyists have helped them send that message.

Around the time of Cuomo's speech, a bill that would allow the app's operation was on the agenda of the state Senate rules committee, according to the Albany Times Union.

In addition to Uber, he described his vision for Western New York in light of the "Buffalo Billion," a state initiative that gives the area $1 billion in state aid to to help revive its economy.

In addition to funding massive economic development in areas like nanotechnology and solar power, the fund is related to federal indictments filed in September against business executives, a lobbyist and a former close aide to the governor, accused of bribes and bid-rigging.

The defendants charged in September have pleaded not guilty, and the governor is not accused of any wrongdoing.

During the speech, a heckler could be heard shouting mostly unintelligibly at the governor, causing him to pause briefly. Shouts of "Preet Bharara!", the federal prosecutor who brought the charges, and "Traitor!" could be heard.

The governor announced what he called the "second phase" of Buffalo Billion during the address, outlining a plan for $500 million in state spending on rail expansion, manufacturing, tourism and other initiatives.

Cuomo's Buffalo address was his second of six he'll give this week.

Earlier Monday, Cuomo spoke loftily in New York City about his progressive ideals and outlined criminal justice reforms, including to "Raise the Age" in New York and require the videotaping of police interrogations involving serious crimes.

He also spoke to middle-class families who he said felt left behind in the country's efforts at recovering from the 2007 recession. He described the electorate that voted in Donald Trump as a "roar."

And he expressed concern over what he said was an increase in racially motivated crimes throughout the state since the election, calling them "anti-American."

On Tuesday, he'll be in Long Island and Westchester County, and on Wednesday he'll be in Syracuse and Albany.

The Syracuse speech will be held at 1 p.m. at the Oncenter's Carrier Theater at 411 Montgomery Street.