Governor Kathy Hochul says former President Donald Trump’s return to office has caused widespread harm to New York’s economy, public services, and working families. Marking the first 100 days of the Trump administration, Hochul cited over $7 billion in projected economic losses and more than 280,000 potential job cuts tied to tariffs and federal funding reductions.
The administration has already cut $1.3 billion in state program funding, according to state estimates.
Tariffs threaten businesses, jobs, and cost of living
Trump’s trade tariffs have created steep challenges for New York manufacturers and small businesses. Some companies are canceling shipments or leaving products stranded in customs due to price increases. Alcoa, a key North Country manufacturer, reported a $20 million loss on Canadian imports.
The state tourism industry is also taking a hit. Canadian travel has dropped, with traffic across New York’s northern border bridges falling as much as 19% in early 2025. A local business survey found that two-thirds of North Country businesses are already seeing fewer Canadian bookings.
The Empire Wind offshore project, designed to power 500,000 homes, is paused, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Meanwhile, tariffs on steel, aluminum, and farm equipment are raising costs for New York’s agriculture and maple syrup producers.
Public services cut as federal funding disappears
New York has already lost over $1.3 billion in federal funds. The cuts affect health care, education, housing, and infrastructure:
- Three Social Security offices have closed.
- Federal heating and cooling aid programs have been gutted.
- Research into Alzheimer’s at New York institutions is halted due to NIH cuts.
- AmeriCorps funding has been slashed, impacting 1,500 service members.
Public housing and food aid are also under threat. The Trump administration plans to eliminate HUD’s Emergency Housing Voucher Program and cancel half of food shipments under the TEFAP program, which could cost New York 16 million pounds of USDA food.
Transportation and environmental protections weakened
The administration has moved to block congestion pricing in New York City, despite data showing a 13% reduction in traffic and increased MTA revenue. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation has pulled $300 million in infrastructure funding, delaying safety upgrades across the state.
Climate and environmental programs have also been defunded. USDA funding for climate-smart agriculture and forestry was canceled, and aid to help local farmers sell to schools and food banks has been eliminated.
Health care and education under pressure
The White House has proposed over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. New York could lose benefits for millions, including 2.5 million children and nearly 3 million SNAP recipients.
In education, Trump has pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which sends $5.5 billion to New York each year. This includes support for Pell Grants, disability services, and mental health programs.
State urges businesses to report tariff harm
New York State is encouraging businesses affected by federal trade policies to report economic damage by emailing [email protected]. The goal is to document financial harm and strengthen the state’s legal challenges against the administration’s actions.
Governor Hochul said the administration’s decisions are “making life harder, chaotic, and more expensive” for working families.
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.