Earlier this evening, Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on Spectrum News’ “Capital Tonight” with Susan Arbetter to discuss a range of issues facing New York State, including federal funding uncertainties, child care investments, education reform, immigration policy, and environmental challenges.
During the interview, Governor Hochul addressed concerns about ongoing threats from Washington regarding the withholding of funds to sanctuary cities and other grant freezes. She said: “Oh, they’re not going to end Susan. From exactly one year, starting today when Donald Trump was sworn in as President, we have been under assault, whether it’s withholding funds, whether it’s threatening to shut down everything from congestion pricing, shutting down offshore wind – which is an important part of our energy strategy to embrace renewables and powering hundreds of thousands of homes – and cutting off $3.8 billion of childcare funding and family support programs just a few weeks ago.”
Governor Hochul explained that her administration has responded by engaging in legal action: “But what we had to do is engage the court process. We’ve been filing lawsuits. We’ve been winning the vast majority of them. And it’s frustrating because we’re spending so much time on this. I have to call the President to persuade him to restore, literally had to call to restore law enforcement funding for the NYPD and for first responders that he took away.”
She noted that these actions have required significant preparation at the state level: “So it’s a constant attack. We have been successful in court. We need the Supreme Court to back this up here as well in some other cases. So, we’re preparing for this… My Budget contemplates the volatility that comes with the Donald Trump Administration.”
When asked about her conversations with President Trump and his reliability as a partner for New York State interests, Governor Hochul said: “I appealed to him as a New Yorker… Sometimes it’s successful, but not always. He’s not rational in his reaction… So it’s hard to anticipate whether or not your argument is going to land and he’ll agree with you, but I have to try. My job as the Governor is to stand up for our people and our values…”
On health care access for non-citizens through New York’s Essential Plan waiver request from the federal government—an issue currently pending—Hochul outlined efforts involving bipartisan outreach: “We are working intensely on this and we’re trying to pull in the Republican members of Congress who also represent New York… So we’re actually engaging with a number of them…”
If federal approval does not come through for key programs like child care or Medicaid coverage expansions for non-citizens via waivers or grants being threatened by Washington cuts, Hochul confirmed contingency plans are in place: “No, we do have reserves set aside,” she stated regarding budget flexibility if necessary.
The governor discussed investments aimed at expanding universal child care across New York State: “One thing we’re doing is we have to have more capacity… We’re even providing free community college for education — someone who wants … we’ll cover the whole cost … I’ve invested over $8 billion as Governor… This year it’s $4.5 billion because families are begging for relief…”
Addressing regional differences between Upstate New York and New York City on pre-K infrastructure development timelines—such as pilot programs targeting younger children—she said: “…it’s complicated when you’re comparing New York City and Upstate…” but affirmed commitment toward statewide expansion by 2028.
On K–12 education funding formulas (Foundation Aid), Hochul stated there would be no reforms pursued this year but emphasized continued investment despite inflationary pressures impacting local school budgets.
Regarding immigration enforcement policies involving ICE cooperation by state police agencies versus calls from advocates for further restrictions or outright bans on collaboration with federal authorities (including defunding ICE), she maintained current policies strike an appropriate balance between public safety obligations and protecting constitutional rights.
Hochul also addressed climate law implementation challenges amid pandemic disruptions and changes at both state (closure of Indian Point nuclear plant) and federal levels (loss of renewable energy subsidies): “…when Indian Point was shut down … There was no plan B … Emissions have gone up…” She acknowledged difficulties meeting statutory goals due both to external factors such as COVID-19 supply chain interruptions and recent policy shifts affecting renewable energy projects.
The governor concluded by reiterating her administration’s focus on adapting responses within current constraints while remaining committed both fiscally (“we’re not raising taxes”) and programmatically across core areas like education reform (“I want better outcomes”) despite ongoing volatility from Washington.
