Gov. Kathy Hochul gave her 2026 State of the State address today, outlining more than 200 proposals aimed at affordability, public safety, and long-term investment across New York.
Speaking in Albany, Hochul said her agenda focuses on easing cost pressures on families, reducing crime, and preparing the state for future economic and infrastructure needs. The proposals span child care, housing, energy, education, health care, and consumer protection.
Focus on affordability
A central theme of the address was affordability for working families. Hochul proposed putting New York on a path toward universal child care, including $1.7 billion in new funding to expand access statewide.
Other proposals include eliminating state income taxes on tips, freezing tuition at SUNY and CUNY for a seventh consecutive year, expanding rent freeze eligibility for seniors and people with disabilities, and increasing funding for food assistance programs.
Hochul also outlined plans to lower household costs by cracking down on insurance fraud, increasing oversight of home insurance providers, and demanding stricter fiscal discipline from utility companies to help reduce energy bills.
Public safety initiatives
Hochul said public safety remains a top priority, pointing to continued investments in law enforcement and violence prevention. Her proposals include new legislation targeting illegal homegrown and 3D-printed firearms, as well as weapons that can be converted into machine guns.
She also proposed measures to address subway safety, road safety, and emergency preparedness, along with legislation to create buffer zones around houses of worship and health care facilities while preserving lawful expression.
Housing and infrastructure
The governor used the address to promote her “Let Them Build” agenda, a package of reforms designed to reduce delays and costs for housing and infrastructure projects. This includes changes to environmental review processes and clearer timelines for project approvals.
Hochul also announced plans to commit $50 million toward redesigning Jamaica Station and to begin preliminary work on extending the Second Avenue subway west along 125th Street.
Consumer protection and technology
Hochul proposed new consumer protection measures focused on technology and data privacy. These include cracking down on data brokers, requiring labeling of AI-generated content, and prohibiting misleading AI-related discounts and election content.
She also announced plans to create a new Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity & Trust to oversee digital safety and technology policy.
Education, health, and environment
The address included proposals to improve literacy and math outcomes, expand teacher training pathways, invest in youth mental health programs, and strengthen workforce pipelines for SUNY and CUNY students.
Hochul also outlined continued investments in safety net hospitals, older adult services, clean water infrastructure, flood mitigation, and state parks, along with new initiatives focused on energy reliability and grid security.
The proposals outlined in the address will now be considered by the Legislature as part of negotiations over the state budget and upcoming legislative session.
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