Hochul Prioritizes Affordability Ahead Of 2026 Run, Balances Allies and Critics

ALBANY, New York — Gov. Kathy Hochul used her fifth State of the State address to present a 2026 agenda focused on lowering everyday costs for New Yorkers — from utility bills and groceries to child care and car insurance — while positioning herself for a second full term. She emphasized practical, populist measures and signaled a readiness to confront federal policies she says harm New York.

Key Proposals

Hochul proposed direct aid for farmers affected by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, endorsed an expansive free child care plan she showcased alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and pushed for greater transparency in utility executive compensation, requiring companies to disclose how executive pay compares to the average worker.

Political Context

In the roughly hour-long speech, Hochul repeatedly criticized Trump, calling him a "wannabe king" for attempts to interfere in state affairs. "This moment carries real threats from Donald Trump and his enablers in Congress," she said. "It’s all part of an agenda that only makes our lives harder. But here’s the thing about New Yorkers: We don’t back down, we rise up."

The governor is preparing for a competitive year: she faces a Democratic primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and will likely meet Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in the general election. Recent polls show Hochul leading both potential opponents.

Balancing Alliances And Pressure

Hochul emphasized cooperation with newer progressive figures such as Mayor Mamdani, who she name-checked several times and featured in a video of local officials pledging to work together. Still, she must balance pressure from the left to raise taxes on the wealthy to fund programs (including proposals like free bus service) with concerns from business groups and Republicans about taxes, regulation and outmigration.

Jasmine Gripper of the Working Families Party warned her group could use its ballot line to press for wealth taxes. On the right, GOP leaders blamed Democratic governance for high taxes and population stagnation; New York GOP Chair Ed Cox urged voters to support "a governor with the backbone to stand up for taxpayers." Hochul responded by calling for a strong 2030 Census effort to protect the state’s congressional representation.

Immigration And Public Safety Measures

Hochul also proposed measures to strengthen state protections for immigrants, including allowing civil suits against federal agents who violate constitutional rights and barring federal civil immigration enforcement in designated "sensitive locations" such as houses of worship and schools. Those proposals won a standing ovation from Democrats.

She proposed restrictions on protests near houses of worship following a demonstration near a synagogue that included pro-Hamas chants, a move that could put her at odds with some activists allied with Mamdani.

From Speech To Law

Many initiatives are procedural or technical in nature but could yield concrete benefits: reforming car insurance rules to lower premiums, streamlining environmental reviews to speed up housing construction, and rolling back obsolete regulations. Still, translating campaign rhetoric into legislation will require negotiation during the six-month legislative session in Albany, where lawmakers face potential federal funding cuts and differing priorities within the Democratic majority.

"When boundaries are crossed, accountability matters," Hochul said, adding: "No one from the president on down is above the law."

The State of the State’s pageantry—including an appearance by the Syracuse University marching band and an introduction by actor Fran Drescher—underscored the political stakes. But the administration will need to secure legislative buy-in and manage competing demands from progressive activists, business leaders, suburban voters and the national party as it navigates the run-up to November.