Sunday marks Hochul 105th day in elected office; lawmakers review progress
ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — Affordability, gun crime, and tackling outmigration were the priorities in Gov. Kathy Hochul's inaugural speech.
"The affordability crisis in housing, in energy, and everything, it's making life just too damn hard for New Yorkers,” Hochul said during the New Year’s Day ceremony.
Sunday marks her 105th day in office as the first female elected governor of New York.
Capital Region lawmakers have differing opinions on the progress being made since day 1.
“What the governor is trying to do is make New York state more livable, more affordable, and obviously the housing compact as much as it has challenges; she's onto something there and I don't disagree with what she's trying to do,” said Democratic Assemblyman John McDonald.
"When she first came into office, she promised a new era, but to be quite honest what has really changed?" said Republican Assemblyman Chris Tague said. "Another late budget, massive spending, business conducted behind closed doors.”
Other lawmakers said they see the effort being made, it's the execution of getting the job done they're worried about.
"I think there has been a lot of information that's come out where we want to see some changes,” said Republican Assemblywoman Mary-Beth Walsh. “I think she's trying to give them, but there's a lot of pushback within the Legislature to her proposals, so it's going to be interesting to see how it shakes out."
"I think this governor cares very deeply about mental health and substance abuse issues," Democratic Assemblyman Phil Steck added. "I think a lot of the problems are that the prior governor was a big cost cutter and I think this governor is hampered by lack of staff in a lot of areas."
New York lawmakers will be meeting this week to file another budget extender in an attempt to pass a budget that is now over two weeks late.
