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Lawmakers, Officials React to Governor’s “State of the State”

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A number of local and state elected leaders, as well as, state organizations issued statements on Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address.  Some of the comments we received are below:

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, (R-Corning):

“Gov. Hochul delivered her annual State of the State Address today and outlined her priorities for the upcoming legislative session. I look forward to hearing more specific details about her agenda when she presents her Executive Budget Proposal next week.

“One thing is for certain, our state is facing an affordability, public safety and quality-of-life crisis. We cannot continue on this dangerous and reckless path of unsustainable and out-of-control spending and debt, costly job-killing taxes and regulations, crippling inflation, rising energy costs due to a radical energy/climate agenda being advanced and the continuation of violent crime in our local communities, all of which have helped contribute to New York’s nation-leading outmigration problem.

“I, along with my Assembly Republican colleagues, will continue to advocate for common-sense policies that prioritize public safety, fiscal responsibility, job creation and economic development, affordable and reliable energy and improving the quality of life for New York families and businesses.

“If Gov. Hochul is serious about reversing the affordability, public safety and quality of life crisis facing our state, she will present the Legislature with a budget proposal that is fiscally responsible and addresses the concerns and financial struggles New York families and businesses are facing around our state. I urge the governor and legislative leaders to work with us in a bipartisan manner during the upcoming year to address these critical issues.”

Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C-LaFayette):

“Gov. Hochul has once again shown her cards and proven how out of touch this current administration is. We’re told we live in the safest New York ever while people are being burned alive on the subway. We’re told our state champions equality and choice, yet the governor wants to limit our options for energy consumption. It’s time to come back to reality. Gov. Hochul needs to take a break from her grocery shopping stunts and address the issues that New Yorkers are facing on a daily basis.”

State Senator Pam Helming:

“This afternoon’s State of the State Address was stagecraft. New Yorkers don’t need a theatrical production, they need real solutions to their problems. I understand tradition. But this production was really out of touch with the moment and what the majority of New Yorkers are living through right now.”

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats):

“The governor can’t promise permanent, long-term tax relief at the same time she’s looking to continue spending taxpayer dollars and imposing mandates like there’s no tomorrow, and the governor knows it. You can’t have it both ways. Sooner or later the well runs dry and taxpayers are left footing the bill. That’s the way it is in now in New York State and that’s the way it will go on being under the current direction of this state government.

“New York State is not stronger, safer, saner, or more affordable under Governor Hochul and all-Democrat control of the Legislature, and there’s no true turnaround in sight. Governor Hochul puts forth an ‘affordability agenda’ chock-full of giveaways, higher and higher spending commitments, and flashy new programs that will only keep making New York a more expensive state in which to live, work, do business, raise a family, and pay taxes. There will be no let up for the middle class under all-Democrat, one-party control of New York government. The Albany Democrat bottom line ignores the middle class in favor of a politically driven, hard-left roadmap continuing to mandate huge state spending handouts. It will only keep driving this state into the ground economically, keep increasing costs across the board, keep killing jobs and economic opportunities, and keep chasing more and more New York taxpayers and families out of the state because they can’t afford to live here anymore.”

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli:

“Today, Gov. Hochul outlined her new priorities as the state prepares for a different federal landscape and tries to help New Yorkers address affordability and improve quality of life in our state.

“Many of New York’s families are feeling squeezed by the high cost of living. The Governor’s proposals for expanding child tax credits and providing school meals are significant actions addressing New York’s startlingly high rate of children living in poverty. These and other proposals and how we pay for them will be debated, and I look forward to the details when the state budget is released later this month.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James:

“I am pleased with key legislative proposals outlined in Governor Hochul’s State of the State that will help New York families throughout our state. Expanding free school lunches, protecting children’s mental health, and securing affordable housing are essential issues that I have long advocated for and worked to address throughout the years. These measures will help ease the burden for struggling families and help students and teachers thrive in schools. Additionally, I am pleased that addressing mental illness is a key priority, and ensuring more available beds and services must be a key component of that effort. I look forward to working with my colleagues in state government to advance these issues and ensure New Yorkers receive the quality services and protections they deserve.”

New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario:

“Counties commend Governor Hochul for her clear focus on tackling New York’s affordability crisis. The Governor’s proposals to provide tax relief, support New York’s community colleges, invest in childcare, and ensure no public-school student goes hungry are positive steps at the state level, but fully addressing this crisis will also require action to improve affordability at the local level by reducing state-mandated costs that drive up local taxes, protecting the county Medicaid cap, and making local infrastructure investments that will empower communities to increase housing opportunities.”

“We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and our partners in the State Legislature over the coming months to make New York State a stronger and more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York State:

“Aside from the outstanding performance of the ‘Timeless Torches,’ once again the State of the State ignores the many needs and challenges faced by older New Yorkers. This is a repeating theme and speaks to the lack of commitment for older residents, and the issue of ageism in society. In fact, although New York State is home to 4.84 million older individuals, and has 4.1 million caregivers, the State of the State’s massive briefing book almost entirely ignores the challenges older New Yorkers face, even after aging services experts spent two years working on a Master Plan for Aging, a Master Plan that was an Executive Order issued by Governor Hochul.”

“Despite the fact that those age 50 and older represent 36 percent of the state’s population, the New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA) Budget represents a scant 8/10th of 1 percent of the State Budget, and this lack of funding continues to impoverish and institutionalize older residents.”

“While the State of the State is silent on older adults and their caregivers, we are hopeful that the State Budget will not be. We cannot continue to allow thousands of older New Yorkers and caregivers to languish on waiting lists for a hot home-delivered meal, a shower, or transportation to chemotherapy while we highlight work being done on equity and affordability. The state of the state largely focused on families, yet did not acknowledge that older individuals are also members of families. We applaud universal child care, and free nutrition in public schools, but equity includes the same lens and funding for older residents needing respite and meals.”

Mike Elmendorf, President and CEO of Associated General Contractors on New York:

“Governor Hochul’s State of the State address sets the stage for what looks to be a largely positive agenda for New York’s construction industry in 2025. AGC NYS commends Governor Hochul for addressing the NYSDOT funding gap, taking steps to address the growing NYSDOT capital plan funding gaps and declining road and bridge conditions across New York. We are also encouraged that the Governor plans to advance measures to protect highway and transportation workers, as well as her intent to extend the ability state agencies and authorities to utilize alternative project delivery methods. Governor Hochul’s proposals for economic development, innovation, and procurement reform are important steps to help rebuild New York’s infrastructure and create jobs. Investing in our transportation projects brings financial stability for not just the construction industry, but the economic future of our State. We look forward to learning more about these proposals in the Executive Budget and collaborating with Governor Hochul and the Legislature to rebuild our infrastructure—and strengthen our economy.”

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