“What we heard today was typical of most State of the State Addresses—heavy on soundbites but light on substance. Gov. Hochul has been offering glimpses of her policy priorities for more than a week. Generally speaking, I agree with some of those ideas. But what we’re still waiting for is a plan that facilitates a dramatic course correction on affordability, quality of life and outmigration.
Improving maternal and infant health, expanding recreational opportunities, offering greater protections to consumers and getting better performance out of New York’s public schools are all measures on which we agree.
But what we didn’t hear today is what should alarm New Yorkers. With a $4 billion budget gap, there was no commitment to keep state spending in check. Illegal migrants are crossing the southern border in droves, but New York has yet to figure out how to properly handle the ongoing influx. Despite New York owning the nation’s worst outmigration numbers, there is no concrete plan to ease financial pressures on families and businesses. And after years of pro-criminal policies that undermine public safety, there is still no interest in increasing accountability or fixing glaring problems in the state’s criminal justice system.
Today, we heard the governor’s general vision and vague goals for the coming year. I’m looking forward to the Executive Budget address next week when hopefully she’ll present a detailed, comprehensive plan that addresses the real issues New Yorkers are dealing with.”
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