ALBANY- Lawmakers representing the Mid-Hudson region had mixed reactions to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address, which she delivered in Albany on Tuesday. Below are their reactions.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino (R): “I have heard from countless neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet and with New York facing a projected $4 billion budget deficit. We need to think creatively to find ways to offer great services and resources while keeping spending in check. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Governor so that we can deliver real results, without creating new cost burdens, for all the families and businesses who call Dutchess County and New York State home.”
State Senator Bill Weber (R, 38th district): “I attended the governor’s state of the state address, but I am more interested in next week’s budget proposal than today’s aspirational rhetoric. That’s where the rubber meets the road. We have a lot of important issues to deal with during this legislative session and I look forward to working with the governor when I can to resolve them.”
State Senator Rob Rolison (R, 39th district): “While the governor’s plan to get ‘back to basics’ is warranted and welcome, I am concerned that Albany’s business-as-usual attitude will make such aspirations impossible. Unless the Capitol changes its fundamental approach to localities and the people it claims to serve, nothing will improve in the long term and our residents will continue to fall behind. This begins by offering a fiscally responsible budget which preserves critical services and investments. New York State faces a daunting budget deficit thanks to years of profligacy and poor planning.”
State Senator James Skoufis (D, 42nd district): “I was most interested in hearing her plan to address New York’s affordability crisis, something I continue to be laser-focused on at a time when out-migration is a significant issue facing the state. In recent years, we’ve advanced a minimum wage increase tied to inflation, the lowest middle-class income tax rates in 70 years, expanded child care assistance, and a new Empire State Child Credit. In particular, we must address the housing affordability crisis that continues to financially hamstring many Orange County families: both the costs to rent and buy as well as sky-high property taxes.
State Senator Peter Oberaker (R, 51st district): “Everyday I hear from constituents who are telling me they are packing their bags and leaving New York, and today’s message from the governor will not change any of those moving plans. People are struggling to make ends meet, small businesses are overburdened by crushing mandates, and crime continues to rise. The governor’s ideas, mobile swimming pools for example, do not address the concerns of those who live and work in the 51st Senate district.”
Assemblyman Matt Slater (R, 94th district): “Today’s state of the state lacked important details on how the Governor intends to tackle the pressing issues that are forcing New Yorkers to move to other states at near record numbers. We all agree affordability, public safety and education are important priorities but we heard nothing on cutting state spending, ending incentives to illegal immigration or stopping drug dealers from peddling fentanyl into our communities. I’m hopeful in the coming weeks the Governor will provide clear direction and details on how we can accomplish these important objectives while closing the state’s $4 billion budget deficit in a responsible manner.”
Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R, 98th district): “As the governor teased her state of the state proposals throughout last week, I was optimistic about the direction she seemed to be taking. Having listened to the full presentation, I am less than enthused. While previously-mentioned initiatives, such as reducing medical debt or protecting consumers from predatory businesses are all worthwhile, she failed to present adequate strategies for a number of other issues, from combating crime to protecting New York’s Jewish citizens. It’s another milquetoast presentation from our executive office, but I am as committed as ever to ensuring the people of Orange and Rockland counties have their needs met.”
Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, 101st district): “During today’s State of the State address, the governor spoke about major investments and policy changes related to housing, crime, mental health and early childhood education. While I have not yet seen the results New Yorkers are looking for on these issues as well as affordability, I will work with anyone from any party to see what type of meaningful difference we can make moving forward. I am particularly interested in the $275 million investment into Empire State AI Consortium that will allow our SUNY and CUNY community colleges and universities to participate in the advancements and applications related to Artificial Intelligence. Ultimately, I look forward to a more detailed report on the governor’s many initiatives so my colleagues and I can get to work for our constituents.”
Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D, 103rd district): “Today, the Governor acknowledged for the first time that New York is not losing rich people to low-tax states: instead, New York is losing working class families because they can’t afford to live here, particularly because of housing costs. I welcome this acknowledgement. But, the Governor has signaled that she still does not intend to increase taxes on the wealthy, that she’s willing to leave billions of dollars on the table even as we’re seeing several of our services under threat. So once again we’ll be pushing the Governor to tax the rich in order to make New York affordable for the rest of us—especially because we are now beginning to lose the Covid-era federal funds we were receiving. Those federal dollars helped to create services people have come to depend on. We can’t now cut those services.”
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, 104th district): “The Governor gave an excellent speech outlining some of her proposals dealing with the most pressing challenges facing the State including housing, mental health, crime, education, infrastructure and economic development with New York becoming a leader in artificial intelligence. I look forward to seeing her budget proposals to deal with these matters.”
