Affordability, safety, immigration at the center of N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address
Gov. Kathy Hochul's goal in 2026 is to make life in New York less expensive. She laid out her plan and more during her State of the State address on Tuesday.
"The state of the state of New York is strong, and we're just getting started," Hochul said.
In her speech, she checked off a number of pocketbook issues, offering a number of proposals to make things cheaper without saying exactly how much cheaper.
Hochul speaks on some of Mayor Mamdani's campaign promises
At the center of her agenda is a push toward universal child care, which would include new programs for 2-year-olds and expanded access for 3-year-olds in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was in attendance at Tuesday's speech, made universal child care one of his main campaign focuses.
Hochul said there will also be pilot programs across the rest of the state for children up to 3 years old, adding the goal is to have universal pre-K for 4-year-olds statewide by 2028.
The governor didn't touch on other signature campaign issues for Mamdani, including increased taxes on the wealthy and free buses.
Mamdani said he is still hoping to get some of those wishes.
"I look forward to making the case directly to our partners in Albany as to what our city needs to not only be able to operate sustainably, but to also fulfill an agenda that will keep New York in New York," he said.
Hochul spoke on the issue of antisemitism, which has been a thorn in the side of the mayor. She said she's going to support legislation to create a buffer zone around houses of worship. She said it in response to a demonstration outside a Queens synagogue by Hamas supporters.
"That's not free expression, that's harassment," she said.
Investment in policing, crime prevention and subway safety
The governor said New York will expand its network of crime analysis centers statewide and continue enhanced patrols on the subways.
Platform barriers will be installed at 85 additional stations, she said. Hochul also wants to expand mental health units to get people off the trains and into care.
She's also spoke about tougher restrictions on 3D-printed ghost guns, proposing a law requiring printers sold in the state to include software blocking them from creating a gun.
"You will no longer sell handguns that can be converted into automatic machine guns, that are able to fire 1,200 rounds per minute. Not here. Not in New York. That's how we save lives and fight crime," she said.
"Aggressive federal immigration actions that go too far"
Hochul slammed President Trump, saying he isn't above the law regarding his immigration crackdown.
She mentioned the New York City Council employee who was detained Monday by federal officials during a routine immigration appointment in Nassau County and questioned if the worker was a threat.
"Is this person really one of the baddest of the bad?" Hochul asked.
Communities across the state "have been shaken by aggressive federal immigration actions that go too far," she said.
To combat this, Hochul said New York will ban the use of state resources to assist in federal immigration raids on people who haven't committed serious crimes.
The governor said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not be allowed to enter schools, day cares, hospitals and houses of worship for raids unless they have a judicial warrant.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is expected to be Hochul's opponent in the 2026 general election, said he supports ICE agents, adding they've removed several "dangerous criminals" over the last two months in that county alone. Blakeman also said there was nothing in Hochul's speech that was believable.
"I thought I was watching a Saturday Night Live skit. It wasn't serious. It wasn't sincere," he said.
Affordable housing, AI, nuclear power, and more
Hochul said the state will invest an additional $250 million in affordable housing and $100 million in manufactured housing.
In the city, government officials will update tax incentives for owners of rent-regulated buildings to make repairs and investments.
Hochul said her administration will crack down on "the worst landlords" with increased penalties and strengthen rent relief for seniors and people with disabilities.
Other proposals in her speech included a potential ban on using artificial intelligence in political ads, a crackdown on staged car accidents to lower insurance costs, the elimination of taxes on tips, and the expansion of the state's nuclear power capacity.
Limiting minors' access to AI chatbots and creating stronger protections against child predators on social media are also on her agenda for the year.