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Gov. Kathy Hochul is gearing up for a high-stakes year in Albany, with plans to tackle affordability, public safety and mental health as she builds on recent political victories, including a housing deal and the restart of congestion pricing.
Sources tell NY1 that Hochul’s proposals—set to be unveiled in her State of the State address on Jan. 14—will test her ability to navigate a Legislature that has proven both an ally and a roadblock. Her push begins Jan. 8, with the start of the legislative session.
“New York State is a very strong executive state… and nothing illustrates that more than the power of the governor through the state budget. That’s her maximum leverage to deal with the Legislature,” said Anthony Piscitelli, counselor and senior adviser with Manhattan-based CMW Strategies.
Hochul’s State of the State address is expected to outline her legislative priorities, including affordability measures, mental health reforms and updates to cell phone policies in schools.
She has already previewed a $3 billion proposal to distribute checks to New Yorkers, supported by a surplus in sales tax revenue. Sources suggest a tax relief package may also be on the table.
“In the coming weeks, Gov. Hochul will unveil her 2025 State of the State with scores of new proposals that will make New York an even more affordable, livable place to raise a family,” a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement.
Hochul has also hinted at stronger laws to address violence and disorder in the subway system, aiming to remove dangerous individuals and provide them with treatment.
“These are all hot button items that I think the public wants to deal with. It’s a matter of: can the governor wield the support from the Legislature to get the things that she wants done, especially since this is going to be a non-legislative election year?” said Shontell Smith, head of New York practice for Tusk Strategies.
Despite a Democratic majority in the Legislature, Hochul has faced resistance from lawmakers on several issues, including housing reform.
“On the question of housing, the progressives were and remain pretty disappointed with the outcome. And I think that probably real estate has got more out of it than they perhaps initially assumed,” said Timothy Weaver, associate professor at the University of Albany.
Hochul’s decision to restart congestion pricing, paused earlier this year, has also sparked mixed reactions.
“I think she may end up being sort of remembered for this big issue of the congestion charge, which ended up really satisfying nobody, and also creating a great deal of disruption,” Weaver added.
