Photo Courtesy of Darren McGee/Office of the Governor
Governor Kathy Hochul delivers the State of the State address on Tuesday.
By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday delivered her 2023 State of the State Address outlining her plan for Achieving the New York Dream. In the address, Hochul outlined components that she said will make a more affordable, more livable and safer New York.
“For generations, people from all over the world have come here in pursuit of the American Dream. I am here today because that dream was realized by my family. And I want more New Yorkers to have access to the same opportunities that my family had,” Hochul said. “That is what public service is all about.”
State of the State proposals include:
Statewide Strategy to Address New York’s Housing Crisis and Build 800,000 New Homes
Governor Hochul announced a statewide strategy to address New York’s housing crisis, build 800,000 new homes over the next decade to meet the historic shortage, and support New York renters and homeowners as part of the 2023 State of the State. The New York Housing Compact, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy, includes local participation requirements and incentives to achieve housing growth in every community so that every part of the State is a partner in solving this urgent crisis. The plan will also require municipalities with MTA rail stations to locally rezone for higher density residential development.
Build a Stronger Health Care System for the Future
Governor Hochul announced a series of bold proposals aimed at building a stronger health care system for New York State’s future and providing high-quality care for all New Yorkers as part of the 2023 State of the State. These proposals will transform the cost and delivery of care, address the most pressing health needs facing New Yorkers – especially those from underserved communities – and prepare for future public health emergencies.
Fix New York State’s Continuum of Mental Health Care
Governor Hochul announced a comprehensive plan to overhaul New York’s continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state. The multi-year plan includes increasing operational capacity by 1,000 beds for inpatient psychiatric treatment, creating 3,500 units of housing to serve New Yorkers with mental illness, increasing insurance coverage for mental health services, dramatically expanding outpatient services, and creating systemic accountability for hospital admissions and discharges to better address the needs of individuals suffering with mental illness.
Strengthen New York State’s Safe Harbor for Abortion Care
Governor Hochul announced new steps as part of the 2023 State of the State that would solidify New York’s status as a safe harbor for all who seek abortion care. Governor Hochul proposes expanding abortion access on SUNY and CUNY campuses, allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception, enacting additional data protections for patients seeking reproductive health care, and fortifying the reproductive health care system through increased Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Major Public Safety Initiatives to Drive Down Gun Violence and Violent Crime
Governor Hochul, as part of the 2023 State of the State, announced major public safety initiatives and investments, expanding proven programs and services to further drive down gun violence and other violent crime, reduce recidivism, address the flow of deadly fentanyl and improve the efficacy of the court system, which was disrupted by the pandemic. The Governor is proposing a comprehensive plan to expand the number of New York State Police Community Stabilization Units, bolster trooper participation in federal task forces, and increase the ranks of the State Police by offering an unprecedented four academy classes. Governor Hochul is also proposing to double funding for the State’s nationally recognized Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative, more than triple aid to prosecution grants to the State’s 62 district attorneys’ offices, and invest record funding in alternatives to incarceration and re-entry programs to reduce recidivism, increase opportunity for individuals returning home after serving prison sentences, improve quality of life in neighborhoods and make communities safer.
Economic Innovation Plan to Grown Jobs and Businesses of the Future
Governor Hochul announced plans to expand economic opportunity and innovation across New York State through targeted investments, business support, and other programming aimed at high-growth industries as part of the 2023 State of the State. The proposal, which focuses on rapidly growing industry sectors like high technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing, includes measures to strengthen the State’s supply chain and expand well-established business attraction programs already proven to drive growth. These collective efforts will boost New York’s innovation economy and encourage business development and job creation throughout the State.
Investments in Energy Affordability, Building Efficiency, and Clean Air and Water
Governor Hochul announced investments in energy affordability, clean and efficient buildings, clean air, and clean water, as part of the 2023 State of the State. The proposal will create the Energy Affordability Guarantee to ensure participating New Yorkers never pay more than six percent of their incomes on electricity. Governor Hochul also announced $200 million in relief for utility bills for up to 800,000 New York households earning under $75,000 a year that are not currently eligible for the State’s current utility discount program. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced an ambitious package of building decarbonization initiatives, including for zero-emission new construction and the phase out of the sale of new fossil fuel heating equipment. This announcement also includes $500 million in clean water funding, coupled with the creation of Community Assistance Teams to help disadvantaged communities access financial assistance.
Provide High-Quality Education and Recover from Pandemic Learning Loss
Governor Hochul announced a comprehensive agenda to give every child in New York the tools to succeed through a high-quality education as part of the 2023 State of the State. For the first time since its inception, Governor Hochul is fully funding Foundation Aid—an unprecedented achievement—for all school districts across the State. Foundation Aid takes districts’ unique needs into account when allocating funding to address inequities and ensure schools in need receive the funding they deserve. Additionally, the administration is investing $125 million to expand high-quality, full-day prekindergarten and dedicating $250 million to establish high-impact tutoring programs in districts across the State to address student learning lost during the pandemic. Governor Hochul also announced that high school students will be eligible to earn college credits to get a head start on college, reduce student debt, and prepare for their careers.
Public Transit Expansions to Increase Access, Affordability and Safety
Governor Hochul announced, as part of the 2023 State of the State, a series of actions to expand New York’s transit, while making it safer, more affordable, and more accessible to all. This includes new funds dedicated to non-MTA transit authorities for expanded client services, an update on the Interborough Express, and the expansion of City Ticket to 24/7.
Plan to Help Government Work Better for New Yorkers
Governor Hochul today a plan to make government work better for New Yorkers by transforming the way New Yorkers access services and benefits from State agencies during the 2023 State of the State. The State will implement significant technological enhancements to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve access to child care assistance, tax credits, and critical food benefits for women, infants, and children; reduce call wait times; implement e-signature technology; launch “one ID” to improve how residents interact with certain State agencies online; and modernize State agency websites and applications to improve the user experience. In order to help State agencies efficiently deliver results to New Yorkers and ensure that this initiative is successful, the Governor will appoint a new Chief Customer Experience Officer to oversee this statewide transformation. Governor Hochul will also sign the State’s first Executive Order on customer experience to build on this initiative and improve access to State services.
