Governor Kathy Hochul says her latest proposals are about “standing up for New Yorkers” and dialing down what she calls growing chaos in immigration enforcement and politics.
During an interview on FOX 5’s “Politics Unusual,” Hochul defended parts of her 2026 State of the State agenda, including limits on ICE activity, protections for sensitive locations, and new rules targeting AI-generated political content.
Hochul said New York will continue to cooperate with law enforcement on serious crimes, but she drew a firm line when it comes to immigration enforcement. “I support law enforcement, but I don’t want to have state resources diverted to doing what ICE does,” she said, adding that the federal government should fund and run its own operations.
She backed proposals that would allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents for civil rights violations and require a signed judicial warrant before agents enter schools, hospitals, houses of worship, or childcare centers. Hochul said those measures protect families and children from being caught up in raids.
“I want you to take away criminals,” she said. “We always have — take away people who have committed serious or violent crimes, remove them.” She said most immigrants are here seeking better lives, comparing them to her own grandparents.
AI, elections, and trust
Hochul also highlighted a proposal aimed at AI-generated political content. The plan would restrict candidates from using deceptive AI images or audio within 90 days of an election.
“People need to be able to trust what they see and what they hear,” Hochul said. She said the state Board of Elections would enforce the rules and make clear that candidates “cannot lie your way to election victory.”
Funding, taxes, and Washington
On the budget, Hochul said she does not support raising taxes this year, including taxes on corporations or high earners, unless federal funding cuts force a change. She pointed to higher-than-expected revenues and said middle-class tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in 70 years.
She also criticized President Donald Trump for repeatedly threatening to pull federal funding from New York, saying the state has had to waste time and resources fighting cuts in court. Hochul said she has called the president directly to restore funding for infrastructure and law enforcement grants.
Public safety and politics
Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to funding the NYPD and keeping police visible in the subway system. She said crime has dropped significantly and that police presence helps riders feel safe.
Asked about criticism from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a potential challenger, Hochul said she has focused on issues New Yorkers care about and dismissed his comments as political noise.
She closed the interview on a lighter note, saying she would “jump on a table” if the Buffalo Bills make the Super Bowl.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.