State of the State 2021: Cuomo to hit on COVID-19, gambling and marijuana

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his 11th annual State of the State address Monday that will largely focus on taming the coronavirus, its devastating economic impact and two key ways New York can help to dig out of it: legalized gambling and marijuana sales.

Cuomo, who’s been criticized for restricting the pool of New Yorkers eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, just expanded the criteria to include elderly residents age 75 and over and essential workers including firefighters, police, teachers and transit workers.

“After 10 long months, the expansion of eligibility for additional New Yorkers to begin making their COVID-19 vaccination plan is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Cuomo said in a press release ahead of the speech.