Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address this week, calling it heavy on spectacle and light on concrete policy proposals. In a statement released Friday, Barclay noted that while the governor acknowledged critical issues like affordability and crime, her address lacked the detailed solutions necessary to address them.
“The event fell in line with Albany tradition,” Barclay said, emphasizing that the address serves as a broad vision rather than a detailed plan. He added that the real test will come when the governor unveils her executive budget proposal, where the financial impact of her policies will be laid bare.
Barclay expressed skepticism about Hochul’s commitment to affordability, citing New York’s ranking as the worst state for tax competitiveness in 2025 by the Tax Foundation. He also criticized rising spending under Democratic leadership, stating, “Every budget she facilitates sets a new spending record.”
The Minority Leader highlighted concerns over public safety, pointing to what he sees as insufficient action on laws that allow repeat offenders to avoid meaningful consequences. He also took aim at congestion pricing in New York City and urged its repeal, arguing it would exacerbate the state’s affordability issues.
Barclay urged the governor to avoid tax increases in her upcoming budget and called for a fundamental rethinking of major policies like the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which he believes would cost billions to implement. “Reshaping New York’s economic future will require a reset on many of the policies the governor and her allies in the Legislature have championed,” he said.
As the legislative session continues, Barclay said New Yorkers would soon see whether Hochul’s budget proposals match the rhetoric of her address.
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