New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address today outlined proposals he said will create jobs while keeping state spending and taxes in check.

Cuomo’s speech built on the theme of bipartisan accomplishment over the last year to urge continued cooperation to improve the economy and education in the state, as well as the state’s governing reputation.

For the North Country, the governor held out hope for success in a second round of regional economic development funding for local projects and programs. He said $200 million would be available for the second round. The first round concluded in December with the North Country Regional Economic Development Council winning an additional $40 million in aid after competing programs from all regions were evaluated.

Anthony Collins, president of Clarkson University and co-chair of the NCREDC, who attended the governor’s address, said, “For the first time, the North Country has a true partner in progress thanks to Governor Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative. Those who know their regions best were given the power to design an economic development model that works for their area and in just a few short months, we are already seeing that planning process pay off through a better collaboration between public and private sector efforts. Regional Councils provided the North Country with the support to advance our vision for economic growth through the development of innovative partnerships in agriculture, energy, small business development and tourism that will benefit our communities for years to come.”

“Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address shows his strong commitment to creating jobs and reviving New York’s economy,” said Heather Briccetti, president of The Business Council of New York State in a statement after the speech. “After years of overspending and overtaxing in Albany, it is clear that this Governor ‘gets it.’”

But the governor’s proposals to tighten up on pensions and other employee expenses did not go over well with one union.

“We take exception to the governor targeting public-sector pensions and his proposal for a new retirement tier,” said Public Employees Federation President Kenneth Brynien after the speech.

“The ability to attract good workers will be important if the governor seeks to pursue his ambitious agenda,” Brynien said. “The governor’s proposal for a new pension tier is like eating your seed corn. It may help you get by now, but you will starve later.”

Cuomo’s biggest proposals, in dollar terms, focused on the state’s two biggest cities, New York and Buffalo. He proposed building the country’s largest convention center in Queens while refashioning the site of the current Javits Center on the West Side of Manhattan, and will ask the legislature for $1 billion to help Buffalo steady itself as the faltering economy takes its toll there.

He also asked legislators to address infrastructure concerns to move on the state’s deteriorating bridges. roads, and other public works, including an “energy highway” to move the “excess of generation capacity” in northern and western New York to meet the “tremendous energy needs downstate.”

“I am eager for more details on the Governor’s proposals,” said North Country Sen. Patty Ritchie, “including his plan for an ‘energy highway” linking downstate electric consumers and Upstate producers. It’s my hope that idea can not only create jobs today... I also want to know more about his ideas to help our family farmers grow and prosper,” said the Heuvelton Republican who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“I was pleased to hear him touch on some of my other priorities, including a renewed attack on state mandates that drive up costs for local taxpayers,” Ritchie said. “I’ve been reaching out to local communities for ideas on reducing mandates, and I’m pleased the Governor wants to do so as well.”

Describing himself as “the lobbyist for students,” Cuomo called on legislators and executive staff to put students first in planning education policy. He said that school superintendents have lobbyists in Albany, as do principals, school boards, teachers, maintenance workers, “even bus drivers. The only group without a lobbyist is students.” He said he would be their lobbyist.

“The future of the state depends on our public schools,” said a statement from one of those lobbying groups, the state School Boards Association. The governor said he is appointing a panel to make recommendations on mandates from the state that are a burden on schools, and mentioned controlling pension costs, both priorities for the school boards group.