Brace yourself for more frustration when Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers her 2025 State of the State address on Tuesday. Judging by her track record on crime, taxes, congestion pricing, and energy policy, New Yorkers can expect little acknowledgment of the issues that matter most to them.
Despite spending nearly $240 billion annually, Hochul’s anticipated proposals — such as free school meals for families who can already afford them and expanded youth mental health services — fail to address the state’s most pressing concerns.
Ignoring the Public’s Voice
Take congestion pricing: New Yorkers overwhelmingly oppose it by a 51%-to-29% margin, according to a recent Siena poll. Hochul temporarily “paused” the plan over the summer to avoid electoral fallout but revived it immediately after November’s election. This move typifies her disregard for public sentiment.
Her aggressive green agenda also promises to burden hardworking families. Instead of scaling back costly environmental policies, she’s expected to push for a new “cap and invest” scheme, targeting oil companies that will inevitably pass costs down to consumers. This means higher prices for gas, heating, electricity, and more — all while forcing taxpayers to subsidize unreliable renewable energy initiatives.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers are already shouldering the nation’s highest state and local taxes, yet Hochul shows no interest in offering relief. Instead, she’s raised taxes and might do so again, even as she claims to be focused on making life more “affordable.”
Crime Crisis Continues
Hochul’s refusal to address the disastrous criminal-justice “reforms,” like cashless bail and Raise the Age, continues to endanger public safety. Crime has surged since these policies were enacted five years ago, yet Hochul seems unwilling to challenge progressive lawmakers who champion these failed reforms.
Instead of fighting for meaningful solutions like lifting the cap on charter schools, which consistently outperform traditional public schools, Hochul remains beholden to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, prioritizing the demands of progressive interest groups over her constituents.
The Exodus from New York
It’s no surprise that a staggering 57% of voters would prefer “someone else” for governor, with only 33% supporting Hochul’s reelection, according to the Siena poll. The real consequence of her policies? A mass exodus. Census data from October revealed New York lost the largest share of its population nationwide in 2023, continuing a troubling trend of outmigration that’s only accelerating.
A Missed Opportunity
Any governor truly committed to improving life in New York would prioritize fixing the state’s broken crime laws, reducing taxes, and expanding school choice. But Hochul’s unwillingness to confront the entrenched interests controlling Albany ensures New Yorkers will see more of the same failed policies — and more reasons to pack up and leave.
