NEW YORK, NY January 10, 2008 —In yesterday's State of the State address, Governor Spitzer also attempted to extend a bi-partisan olive branch. WNYC's Bob Hennelly was there.

The centerpiece of Governor Spitzer's agenda is an ambitious plan to revitalize the entire state higher education system to help grow its slowing economy.

The plan calls for hiring of 2,000 new professors and expanding the University of Buffalo and Long Island's University at Stony Brook.

Spitzer also wants to fully fund the state's children's health insurance program that was vetoed last year by President Bush.

The governor pledged to achieve his goals without raising taxes.

Lawmakers from both parties welcomed Spitzer's collaborative tone, but were skeptical about how he would pay for the new programs in the face of possible recession.

Lawmakers were openly dismissive of Spitzer's plan for a $4 billion college endowment by exploring leasing the state lottery. For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly.