In his first State of the State address, Paterson called Wednesday for "shared sacrifice" for a future where everyone has access to health care, excellent education and a good job and will breathe clean air and use clean energy.

The Democratic governor proposed several initiatives Wednesday, including establishing an upstate research consortium to develop hybrid electric batteries and energy storage technologies. He set a statewide goal of meeting 45 percent of electricity needs by 2015 through improved efficiency and clean renewable energy.

"The future of America's energy and transportation policies rest on the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles," Paterson said. "The state that positions itself in this market will revitalize its economy for years to come."

Paterson introduced a five-point plan to address widespread obesity, with a new revolving loan fund to increase healthy food markets in underserved communities, banning trans fats in restaurants, banning junk food sales in schools, putting surcharges on sugared beverages and requiring calorie posting in chain restaurants.

Paterson also called for the creation of a Higher Education Loan Program to provide more than $350 million in affordable loans to students in need. © Copyright 2012, WBFO