Governor Kathy Hochul today delivered her 2025 State of the State address, including more than 200 initiatives that will put money back in people’s pockets, keep New Yorkers safe and ensure the future of New York is a place where all families can thrive.
“Your family is my fight — and I will never stop fighting for the people of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers expect results and that’s why I fight day in and day out to make New York safer, healthier, cleaner, more affordable for you and your family — and that is what we’re doing with the initiatives announced as part of my 2025 State of the State.”
Putting Money Back in New Yorkers’ Pockets
Under pressure of rapidly rising inflation, Governor Hochul knows that too many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet. To help more families get ahead and make life in New York more affordable, Governor Hochul is committed to driving down costs and putting money directly back into people’s pockets. To do that, Governor Hochul proposes:
- Cutting middle class taxes for more than 8.3 million New York taxpayers – lowest level in nearly 70 years
- Sending inflation refund checks of up to $500 to over 8.6 million New York households
- Expanding New York’s child tax credit to provide up to $1,000 per child to 1.6 million families
- Fighting for the full restoration of the SALT deduction to provide much needed relief for New Yorkers
Supporting the Youngest New Yorkers and their Families
Governor Hochul today called for New York to set a path towards universal child care, and introduced policies aimed at enhancing resources for families in New York, helping them build a strong foundation for their children:
- Providing universal free school meals for every single one of New York State’s over 2.7 million kids
- Putting New York on the path to universal child care and investing $110 million in child care capital funding
- Advancing another nation-leading legislative proposal to improve maternal and infant health through the provision of a birth allowance — the New York State BABY Benefit
- Expanding access to infertility treatments, increasing support for New Yorkers hoping to start a family
- Distributing free diapers and other supplies for 100,000 Babies
Fighting Crime and Strengthening the Criminal Justice System
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, gun violence is down across the state, and investments in law enforcement and innovative initiatives are delivering real results for New Yorkers. To continue those efforts, Governor Hochul proposes streamlining the discovery process by amending reforms passed in 2019, adding additional resources to fight transnational criminal networks and fighting sexual assault and domestic violence:
- Streamlining the discovery process to ensure fair trials, end procedural delays and hold criminals accountable
- Strengthening the state’s response capabilities to fight transnational criminal networks operating along the northern border
- Combating sexual assault and domestic violence with new protections to help survivors
- Proposing first-in-the-nation Crime Analysis and Joint Special Operations Command Headquarters
- Proposing additional funding to expand investments in crime prevention technology and equipment for local law enforcement agencies
- Closing loopholes to crack down on drugged driving, protect New Yorkers on the road
- Expanding technological and coordinating capacities of law enforcement agencies to enhance crime prevention
Protecting First Responders, Expanding Resources for Training and Recruitment and Supporting Victims of Crime
First responders are the first line of defense in times of crisis, and throughout her tenure, Governor Hochul has committed funding and resources to support them. Governor Hochul’s proposals continue that work with an eye towards innovative supporting the mental health of frontline professionals and securing support for veterans and crime victims:
- Proposing new initiatives to recruit, train and protect first responders, supporting those who step into harm’s way to keep New Yorkers safe
- Supporting veterans with critical mental health investments and proposing legislation to expand support for gold star families
- Expanding resources for crime victims by increasing compensation thresholds and dedicating more funding to Child Advocacy Centers
- Establishing a Mass Violence Crisis Response Team to coordinate across agencies, levels of government and community stakeholders to guarantee each crisis is met with the full resources available
Safer Subways
Governor Hochul has worked proactively to respond to safety concerns on New York City subways. This included the deployment of more than 1,250 state personnel to assist the NYPD with bag checks and an initiative to install security cameras in every subway car — a goal that was achieved within 8 months of being announced. Governor Hochul knows that more must be done to meet this challenge, and is building on the foundation of earlier initiatives with new investments and program expansions.
These initiatives to improve subway safety include:
- Partnering with New York City to increase NYPD presence on platforms and trains by temporarily surging patrol levels and working with New York City to add police patrols on every train between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM for the next six months
- Expanding the NYC Department of Homeless Services 24/7 ‘Welcome Center’ model near end-of-line stations in an effort to reduce homelessness in the subways
- Working with NYC Department of Homeless Services to create spaces within stations that have a large presence of unhoused people for mobile outreach teams to better connect and coordinate services
- Providing funding to install LED lighting in all subway stations and platform edge barriers at over 100 additional stations by the end of 2025
- Helping crack down on fare evasion with delayed egress on exit gates in at least 150 more stations and modern fare gates in 20 more stations this year and 20 additional in 2026
Transforming and Improving New York’s Mental Health Care System
Building on Governor Hochul’s landmark mental health plan, today’s announcement will reduce barriers to care and ensure the facilitation of earlier intervention for individuals at risk of harm by revising the criteria for involuntary commitment and addressing the current shortcomings in New York’s Mental Hygiene Law:
- Amending New York’s Mental Hygiene Law to address gaps in the standards for involuntary commitment
- Strengthening Kendra’s Law, which governs Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for individuals with serious mental illness, to ensure New Yorkers with severe mental illness are connected with the care they need
- Continuing record-setting investments in youth mental health, and build on $1 billion plan to transform the mental health continuum of care
Promoting Kids’ Mental and Physical Health
Governor Hochul is doubling down on her commitment to supporting New York kids by launching ‘Unplug and Play’ to help New Yorkers get off of their phones and stay active, building on New York’s new law to restrict addictive algorithms that target children:
- Unplug and Play establishes NY BRICKS and NY PLAYS while expanding NY SWIMS – three grant programs to help communities offer kids active alternatives to scrolling
- Launching Get Offline, Get Outside 2.0 to increase youth sports and programing opportunities by hundreds of thousands of slots
- Establishing digital protections to safeguard children from predatory and harmful online influences
New Yorkers expect results and that’s why I fight day in and day out to make New York safer, healthier, cleaner, more affordable for you and your family.
Governor Hochul
Creating More Homes and Protecting Housing Affordability
Governor Hochul will build upon her commitment to address the housing shortage and increase affordability by creating more homeownership opportunities, strengthening State support to unlock local housing development and taking actions to protect housing affordability:
- Bolstering Pro-Housing Community Program by investing $100 million to support critical housing infrastructure
- Creating the State’s first revolving loan fund to spur mixed-income rental development outside of New York City
- Strengthening tools to unlock housing development, including vacant or historic property redevelopment
- Proposing legislation to crack down on landlords using price-fixing algorithms to drive up housing costs and restricting private equity purchases of single and two-family homes
Cutting Commutes and Investing in Transformative Transportation
New York’s transportation network is the backbone of our economic resilience. Since taking office Governor Hochul has led a comprehensive campaign to connect communities across the state by promoting safe, equitable, sustainable and efficient transportation for all New Yorkers. To build on her legacy of advancing transformative transportation projects and policies, Governor Hochul proposes:
- Advancing the Second Avenue Subway and critical capital projects
- Modernizing rail service across New York with major investments planned for the Hudson Valley
- Working with the Legislature to support a transformative MTA Capital Plan
- Moving the Albany Waterfront reimagining project into environmental review and conceptual design
- Advancing studies for capping portions of the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the next phase
- Enhancing safety for Work Zone and Transportation Workers
- Improving safety at New York City’s Elementary School Intersections
- Reclassifying Ultra-Heavy Class 3 E-Bikes as Mopeds
- Allowing New York City to lower speed limits in bike lanes
Strengthening and Promoting New York’s Agricultural Industry
Recognizing agriculture as a cornerstone of New York’s economy, Governor Hochul has made record investments to support the state’s farmers. Governor Hochul will continue to build on this progress with innovative solutions to strengthen key industries, support small businesses and create economic opportunities across the state:
- Supporting New York’s dairy industry, building on last year’s record investment
- Securing local food supply chains and strengthening New York’s local food systems
- Expanding affordable farmworker housing to help farms provide safer, healthier housing for their workforce
- Positioning New York as a regional leader in fiber and maple production
- Supporting New York agriculture for future generations by protecting farmland and increasing agriculture education in New York schools
Growing the Economy, Supporting Small Business and Preparing New Yorkers With in-Demand Skills Businesses Need
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has become a national leader in economic development, driving job creation, community revitalization and support for key industries. The State of the State proposals build on Governor Hochul’s ongoing strategy to build a modern 21st century economy fueled by innovative, next-generation businesses and high-skilled workers ready to meet their needs:
- Free SUNY and CUNY community college for New Yorkers aged 25-55 pursuing careers in high-demand fields
- Growing the semiconductor industry and bolstering its supply chain and doubling down on shovel-ready sites for modern manufacturing
- Turbocharging hiring by startups and supporting small businesses with Low Interest Capital (LINC)
- Transforming Regional Economic Development with high-impact projects and renewing our commitment to Albany, our State’s Capital City
- Expanding the State Department of Labor’s enforcement power following an unpaid wage theft judgment
Committing to Over $1 Billion Investment in Climate to Achieve a More Sustainable and Affordable Future
Governor Hochul announced plans for an over $1 billion climate investment to achieve a more sustainable and affordable future in New York State. This ambitious proposal would be the single largest climate investment in state history, generating thousands of jobs, slashing energy bills for households and cutting harmful pollution.
- $1 billion climate investment will generate thousands of jobs, slash energy bills and cut harmful pollution
- Announce process for master plan development for advanced nuclear energy in New York State
- Make investments to decarbonize SUNY and CUNY campuses
- Directs State agencies to enter into contracts with NYPA to achieve 100 percent renewable energy for State agencies by 2030
Safeguarding Clean Water, Promoting Climate Resiliency and Protecting New York’s Natural Resources
Governor Hochul’s agenda includes a $500 million funding commitment for clean water, a commitment to increase climate resilience in the face of extreme weather and an expansion of access to green spaces, particularly in underserved urban areas. These efforts not only promise to create jobs and enhance environmental quality but also lay the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.
- Proposing $500 million for clean water to bring the State’s investment to a record $6 Billion
- Advancing policies to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure from extreme weather
- Reauthorizing State Superfund Program to accelerate cleanups and repurpose contaminated sites for productive use
- Funding land conservation and modernizes processes to expand access to parks and green spaces, particularly in underserved communities
Making Government Work Better to Deliver Streamlined, Efficient and More Customer Focused Services
Governor Hochul unveiled an array of initiatives designed to get the government working faster and more efficiently for all New Yorkers as a part of her 2025 State of the State. In particular, the Governor proposes to advance a series of reforms designed to make sure that the New York State government delivers on the infrastructure projects that change and improve lives.
- Creating a capital projects dashboard and public-facing property inventory map to enhance transparency and efficiency
- Increasing access to government services in high need communities
- Creating a State Office of Innovation and Efficiency
- Bolstering cybersecurity of networks, increasing to training for government employees
- Modernizing the process for digital working papers for teens to streamline the process and reduce burdens for employers
Strengthening our Health Care System and Expanding Care for New Yorkers
Governor Hochul announced initiatives aimed at broadening health care access for New Yorkers and fortifying the State’s health care system:
- Improving outcomes for individuals struggling with obesity through access to life-changing GLP-1 medications
- Helping hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers navigate varying dental care benefits and costs
- Ensuring access to emergency medical services
- Strengthening the health care safety net by extending the Safety Net Transformation Program
- Expanding access to air conditioning units for New Yorkers with Chronic Conditions
Proposing New and Expanded Support for New Yorkers with Disabilities
Governor Hochul announced new initiatives focused on enhancing support for New Yorkers with disabilities:
- Establishing Regional Disability Clinics to increase access to primary and specialty care
- Modernizing research in developmental disabilities and honoring the significance of Willowbrook
- Supporting businesses hiring New Yorkers with disabilities through expanded State tax credit
- Improving availability of Medicaid services for wheelchair users
- Creating an American Sign Language interpreter fellowship pilot
- Facilitating innovative therapies for spinal cord Injuries
Protecting New York’s Consumers
Building on her work advocating for consumers, Governor Hochul proposes policies that will ensure that New York State can lead in establishing common-sense, workable consumer protections that will safeguard pocketbooks and help families get ahead:
- Requiring a 30-day window for returns, giving consumers a uniform standard
- Guarding against websites using personal data to set prices without consumers awareness
- Cracking down on exploitative overdraft fees that target low-income customers
- Strengthening subscription cancellation and renewal protections, making processes more simple and transparent
- Regulating “Buy Now, Pay Later” loans and establishing licensing and supervision frameworks
- Forcing Energy Service Companies to return unclaimed funds to customers
- Combatting elder financial exploitation and protecting against fraudulent activity
Strengthening Commitment to Inclusivity, Representation and Through Targeted Initiatives
Governor Hochul unveiled a series of transformative proposals aimed at fostering inclusivity, strengthening education and driving sustainable economic growth across New York State:
- Proposing designating Harriet Tubman as one of New York’s representatives in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall
- Strengthening reproductive freedoms through investing in providers and protect them from out-of-state prosecution
- Building stronger relationships with indigenous nations through collaboration and representation
Sources: NY.gov, Midtown Tribune
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