Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his annual State of the City address on Thursday.

The mayor also pushed a new plan that includes adding youth centers in both Bronx and Brooklyn, as well as protections for New Yorkers who rent.

The mayor says this proposed plan would have an immediate impact on New Yorkers and that keeping children safe will also be a top priority. Part of the proposed plan is to expand and build new recreation centers.

 

The plan also introduced a protection plan for small business owners. The mayor says he wants to see if it is possible to create commercial rent control, reduce fines for small businesses to keep their doors open and use city pension money to invest in these companies.

De Blasio also introduced the idea of removing security deposits at city-financed homes. Instead, he says a monthly payment option could be available. He says he plans to make 25% of new apartments designated for lower-income New Yorkers.

Going green was also a part of the new proposed plan. The mayor says he will invest in wind and solar power and that he plans to make all city vehicles electric and end fossil fuel use by 2040.

"Let's not just bend the status quo, let's break it. Let's break it and create a city that really is for everyone and will be for generations to come. Let's go save our city," said de Blasio.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams gave a rebuttal to the mayor's speech, agreeing with much of what he said about affordable housing, expanding education initiatives and more.

Williams says he wants to see the mayor take action for his words and take things a step further.

"I haven't seen this mayor in a while, many years, but I'm glad he's here, and I hope to work with him, on behalf of the people, to deliver the transformational change," said Williams.

De Blasio says he can't get these initiatives done alone and is calling on local lawmakers and voters to help. He says he is dedicating the rest of his time in office to make this plan a reality.