Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a series of proposals aimed at protecting New Yorkers from what she describes as harmful actions by the federal government. The measures, outlined during her 2026 State of the State address, focus on areas such as immigration enforcement, health care, food assistance, and support for farmers and students.
“Today, New York is facing strong headwinds as a result of the reckless actions of Washington Republicans,” Governor Hochul said. “Whether it’s protecting New Yorkers from unprecedented escalations in federal immigration enforcement, ensuring families have access to health care, or supporting small businesses bearing the brunt of Trump’s tariffs, I will continue standing up for New Yorkers no matter what happens at the federal level.”
One proposal would allow state-level civil lawsuits against federal officers who violate constitutional rights. This measure aims to provide accountability when individuals believe their rights have been infringed upon during federal actions in New York. The proposed legislation aligns state law with existing federal civil rights frameworks and applies similar legal standards that already govern state and local officers.
Governor Hochul also plans to introduce legislation that protects sensitive locations—such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship—from civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. She argues that recent changes in federal policy have rolled back longstanding protections at these sites, disrupting community trust and public safety.
Another initiative seeks to improve census participation across New York. After narrowly losing a congressional seat following the 2020 Census due to an undercount of just 89 residents, Hochul intends to start census planning early. She will establish a state census commission for strategic planning and outreach efforts focused on hard-to-count populations like low-income residents and young children. Local governments will be supported in updating address data to ensure all residences are accurately mapped.
To assist farmers affected by tariffs resulting from federal trade policies with Canada and Mexico—which have increased costs for resources like seeds and fertilizer—Hochul is proposing a $30 million Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program. This program would provide direct payments to specialty crop growers, livestock producers, and dairy farmers who have not benefited from recent national assistance programs.
In response to upcoming changes in student loan policy at the federal level that limit repayment options starting in 2026, Governor Hochul announced an expansion of services through the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP). EDCAP will work directly with colleges—especially public institutions—to educate borrowers about their options through webinars and counseling sessions.
Food insecurity remains another concern highlighted by Hochul following recent disruptions caused by a federal government shutdown. She pledged additional investments into the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), which supports around 2,700 food banks across New York. Upgrades are also planned for EBT cards using chip-based technology to reduce fraud affecting SNAP recipients.
Health care coverage is also addressed amid ongoing reductions in federal funding for programs such as New York’s Essential Plan. Federal cuts total $7.5 billion annually; expiration of premium tax credits means higher premiums for thousands of residents in 2026. Hochul directed the Department of Health (DOH) to seek approval from CMS to revert Essential Plan coverage back to a Basic Health Program model—preserving coverage for about 1.3 million people—and negotiate affordable options for those affected by these transitions.
On prescription drug costs, Governor Hochul instructed DOH to pursue direct negotiations with manufacturers over high-cost drugs within Medicaid’s NYRx program—a move intended to secure better discounts amid rising pharmaceutical prices nationally.
Lastly, concerns about shifting immunization guidelines at the federal level prompted plans for new legislation empowering New York’s Commissioner of Health—working with medical organizations—to set state-specific immunization standards based on scientific evidence rather than changing national recommendations.
