Hochul delivers 2025 State of State Address

Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her State of the State address on Tuesday, which includes more than 200 initiatives that “will put money back in people’s pockets.”

However, local Republicans said that many residents are already too far in the hole and struggling financially due to the state’s policies.

“Over the past several years, we have seen New York continue down the path of being less affordable, less safe, and out of touch with what matters most,” said Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden). “Today, Gov. Hochul discussed some of her policy initiatives but fell short of recognizing the fact that current and past policies have only made the condition of our state worse.”

Democrat leaders painted rosier picture of Hochul’s tenure and New York’s prospects.

 “Today Governor Hochul shared an encouraging vision for the future of our state focused on the affordability, safety, and prosperity of all New Yorkers. “The governor’s proposal of significant middle class tax cuts, an increased child care tax credit, and creating a pathway to universal child care puts money back where it belongs – in New Yorkers pockets,” wrote Assembly Member Patrick Carroll (D-Rockland) in a statement shared with the RCT.

According to a Siena College poll released last month, voters said that Albany’s top 2025 priority should be the cost of living (43 percent). The highlight of Hochul’s address included several initiatives aimed at benefiting families, including:

– Cutting middle-class taxes for more than 8.3 million taxpayers – the lowest level in nearly 70 years.

– Sending inflation refund checks of up to $500 to more than 8.6 million households.

– Expanding the state’s child tax credit to provide up to 1,000 per child to 1.6 million families.

– Fighting for the full restoration of the SALT deduction.

“While Governor Hochul’s address offered a few welcome policy prescriptions, her time in office has thus far failed to adequately address the affordability crisis squeezing the middle class and driving the highest outmigration rate in the nation,” said Republican Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “For her proposals to be taken seriously, the governor’s wish list must be paired with concrete steps to ensure that greater days of progress and prosperity are ahead.”

Senator James Skoufis (D, Orange County) said that the state’s ongoing affordability crisis is an issue that he has been focused on and he was more supportive of Hochul’s address.

“I was pleased to hear the Governor’s conceptual proposals to address it,” Skoufis said. “The cost of raising a family continues to rise, so I was particularly interested in the Governor’s proposal for a middle-class tax cut for families making up to $323,000 as well as an expanded child tax credit. The federal model of this tax credit led to a historic reduction of child poverty in the United States, and I’m enthusiastic to see its effect on New York families, along with the Governor’s support of free universal school meals.”

Hochul’s 58-minute address came as the Governor struggles with low approval ratings — she is up for re-election in 2026 and is expected to face a primary. Her speech was delivered as Democrats are still recovering from November’s election losses, which resulted in Republicans winning control of the U.S. House, Senate, and White House.

“Your family is my fight — and I will never stop fighting for the people of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers expect results and that’s why I fight day in and day out to make New York safer, healthier, cleaner, and more affordable for you and your family — and that is what we’re doing with the initiatives announced as part of my 2025 State of the State.”