What you should know
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will share her agenda in a State of the State address on Tuesday, with the Democrat expected to focus on housing, crime and education policies ahead of a crucial election season in a state whose Races could determine control of Congress.
- The annual address is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the state Capitol in Albany and will detail the governor’s priorities for the nascent legislative session.
- Hochul spent last week laying out central agenda items, calling for an overhaul of literacy education and paid medical leave during pregnancy, among other things.
NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will share her agenda in a State of the State address on Tuesday, with the Democrat expected to focus on housing, crime and education policies ahead of a crucial election season in a state whose races could determine control of Congress.
The annual address is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the state Capitol in Albany and will detail the governor’s priorities for the nascent legislative session.
Hochul spent last week laying out central agenda items, calling for an overhaul of literacy education and paid medical leave during pregnancy, among other things. He has also previously hinted at actions to increase housing supply and make the state more affordable, and an initiative to combat retail theft.
The speech will come as both Republicans and Democrats pay increased attention to New York as a potential battleground state for the U.S. House of Representatives in November, adding a level of national importance to the governor’s agenda this year. .
For Hochul, a top priority appears to be reaching a deal with progressive House Democrats to create more housing in the state, a politically vexing issue that has previously proven elusive but remains a component of his plans. of affordability.
Last year, the governor pushed hard for a housing plan that ultimately failed after it came under fire in the city’s suburbs, which have become areas that congressional Democrats must win in the fall if they want to retake control of the camera. It is unclear what legislative direction Hochul plans to take this year on housing.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told reporters that Senate Democrats were pushing for a housing package that focused on renter protections. In the past, those measures included measures to prevent landlords from evicting residents without supposed good cause, such as nonpayment of rent.
Another issue for lawmakers this year will be how they handle a large influx of immigrants into the state, most of whom are in New York City and have strained the city’s financial resources and homeless shelters. The state has so far allocated $1.9 billion in emergency spending related to the surge in asylum seekers, according to recent data from the state comptroller. Hochul has promised another round of financial assistance this year to help the city with immigrants.
Hochul will also announce a plan to offer high-achieving high school students automatic enrollment in the city and state’s vast network of public universities, his office told The Associated Press. Additionally, he has announced proposals to build new public pools in underserved communities and hire more lifeguards across the state, framing the initiative as an investment in public health.
The legislative session will also include a contentious congressional redistricting process that could affect which party controls the House.
A bipartisan redistricting commission will present a proposed map to lawmakers in late February, which can then be accepted or modified by Democrats who control the Legislature. Democrats are widely expected to try to give their party an advantage in crucial districts before the fall elections.
Democrats have devoted significant financial and campaign resources to their goal of winning back a handful of congressional districts in New York in November. The Republicans intend to keep the seats.
The first indicator could come soon: A special election will be held on February 13 to choose the successor to George Santos, the New York Republican who was expelled from the House.
2024-01-09 17:48:28
#York #Governor #Outline #Proposals #Ahead #Crucial #Election
