Gov. Hochul's State of the State: What to Expect

Get ready for another round of unwelcome news from Gov. Hochul as she reveals her plans for 2025 in her State of the State address. With a history of ignoring public concerns, Hochul is likely to propose more spending on popular initiatives like youth mental health and free school meals, even for families who can afford it. But what New Yorkers really want — like addressing crime, lowering taxes, and fixing broken laws — will probably be overlooked again. Take congestion pricing, for instance. New Yorkers don't like it, but Hochul revived it after the election. Her green agenda, too, may bring higher costs for gas, heating, and electricity. And despite New York having the highest taxes in the nation, Hochul hasn't cut them. Instead, she's raised them and might do so again.Hochul also won't tackle major crime law fixes, despite the rise in crime since their passage. She avoids challenging the Legislature's progressives and special interests. A governor dedicated to improving life in New York would focus on these issues, but Hochul seems unwilling to. It's no surprise that many New Yorkers want someone else as governor, and the state is losing population. Hochul's State of the State might just give more people reason to leave.