On August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the 57th Governor of New York. In her inaugural address, she set out goals to make the state more affordable, safer, and fairer for all families. She committed to addressing significant challenges and investing in key areas important to New Yorkers.
After four years in office, Governor Hochul’s administration highlights several initiatives and policy changes. These include tax reductions for the middle class to levels not seen in 70 years and increases to the minimum wage that are now tied to inflation. The Child Tax Credit has been expanded threefold as part of a $7 billion investment in child care over four years. New York became the first state to ban insulin copays and implemented a five-year, $25 billion housing plan aimed at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes statewide; more than half were completed within two years. Over eight million households received inflation rebate checks.
The administration raised weekly unemployment benefits by $300 and introduced what it describes as the nation’s first prenatal leave policy. Hospitals and health care providers are now prohibited from reporting medical debt.
In public safety efforts, there has been an investment of $2.6 billion since Hochul took office. Gun safety laws have been strengthened with updates to the Red Flag law and restrictions on concealed carry weapons. Shootings have declined by 53% compared to pandemic-era peaks, with over 10,000 illegal guns removed from streets according to state data.
Transit crime has fallen below pre-pandemic levels following new subway safety investments; July was reported as the safest July in three decades for transit users. Changes were made to bail laws intended to keep dangerous individuals off streets while also strengthening discovery laws for victim protection. Measures targeting retail theft included new worker protections and increased security funding for businesses.
Hochul’s administration responded to rising hate crimes by expanding eligible offenses under hate crime statutes and increasing funding for vulnerable sites. There was also an expansion of involuntary commitment laws related to mental health emergencies along with a $1 billion investment in mental health care.
For education, school aid increased by $8 billion during her tenure, including full funding of Foundation Aid for schools statewide. A distraction-free learning policy was implemented across the state’s schools alongside a crackdown on addictive algorithms targeting children online and literacy initiatives like Back to Basics reading programs.
Universal free school meals have been introduced, which reportedly saves families up to $1,600 per child each year. Adult learners without degrees can access free community college programs designed for upskilling or credential attainment.
Economic development includes securing Micron’s planned $100 billion investment in Central New York—expected by officials https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-historic-micron-investment-central-new-york-largest-private-investment-state-history-creating-50000-jobs— as the largest private sector project ever in New York with an estimated creation of 50,000 jobs over time. Empire AI launched as a collaboration between top universities aims at establishing an advanced AI computing center https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-empire-ai-public-private-partnership-create-world-class-artificial-intelligence-computing-center-new-york-state . Chobani invested $1 billion into food manufacturing—the largest such investment nationally—and private sector employment grew by more than 812,000 jobs since August 2021.
Governor Hochul’s term saw measures protecting reproductive rights following federal court decisions such as Dobbs v. Jackson; this included expanding shield laws for healthcare professionals targeted outside New York and adding equal rights language into the state constitution through an amendment process https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-equal-rights-amendment-bill . Legislation addressing maternal mortality rates expanded Medicaid coverage around pregnancy-related care while ensuring access for patients traveling from states where abortion is restricted or outlawed.
Infrastructure projects advanced during this period include work on major transit corridors like the Interborough Express and Second Avenue Subway after longstanding delays https://new.mta.info/projects/interborough-express , opening Grand Central Madison station providing direct service between Long Island and Manhattan’s east side https://new.mta.info/agency/long-island-rail-road/grand-central-madison , implementation of congestion pricing policies aimed at reducing traffic congestion while raising funds for mass transit improvements https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/26/new-york-congestion-pricing-plan-clears-final-hurdle-00104163 , progress on Syracuse’s I-81 viaduct project reshaping regional transport networks https://www.dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities/home , and full funding secured for MTA’s capital plan through 2029 https://new.mta.info/capitalplan .
Energy policy changes include directing NYPA (New York Power Authority) toward building advanced nuclear capacity serving one million homes/businesses; launching utility-scale wind generation; achieving solar energy targets ahead of schedule; delivering savings through Solar For All programs; investing $300 million into sites prepared for advanced manufacturing firms; implementing cybersecurity standards protecting power grids; and allocating $1 billion toward sustainability efforts across sectors https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-major-progress-toward-clean-energy-goals-including-record-growth-solar .
“Four years later, Governor Hochul has delivered on that promise, putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, keeping communities safe, defending fundamental rights from Washington’s attacks, and fighting for hardworking families. And she’s just getting started,” according to her office.
