John,

From the day I took office, my commitment to you has been simple:

Your family – and your future – is my fight.

Over the past four years, we’ve made real progress making New York safer and more affordable by investing in the people and communities that make our state strong.

In 2026, that work continues.

In my State of the State this week, we let the world know that New York isn't just back. From Buffalo to Brooklyn, we’re rising — and we're not stopping anytime soon: 

✅ Delivering universal child care. That means free, first-rate, full-day care for every single family across the state, regardless of income. Because child care should never determine whether you can afford to have a family or stay in New York.

✅ Lowering costs for hardworking New Yorkers. We’ll modernize our laws to lower utility bills and make home insurance more affordable. And we’ll strengthen protections for renters, expand food assistance, and eliminate state taxes on tips so more money can stay in your pockets. 

✅ Making New York’s streets and communities safer. By doubling down on proven crime-fighting strategies, getting more illegal guns off our streets, and taking on emerging threats like untraceable 3D-printed firearms, we’ll continue to drive down crime and save lives. 

✅ Protecting our kids. As New York’s first mom Governor, the well-being of our children is personal to me. That’s why we’re advancing nation-leading laws to protect children from online predators, scammers, and harmful AI chatbots and expanding our investments in youth mental health. 

✅ Letting New York build. We’re going to cut red tape to speed up housing construction, affordable energy projects, and critical infrastructure across the state. Our Let Them Build agenda will create new opportunities and make sure every corner of New York has the resources it needs to grow and thrive. 

✅ Defending fundamental rights. New York is standing up for fairness, equality, and justice, ensuring that everyone can live safely and freely without fear of discrimination or unfair treatment. We’ll protect New Yorkers from government overreach, safeguard due process, and make sure no one is targeted or mistreated because of who they are or where they come from. 

If you’re betting on the future, you can bet on New York.

If you’re searching for talent, you find it in New York.

If you’re looking for the epicenter of culture, innovation, opportunity, it has always been and always will be New York. 

My friends, I am proud to say: The State of our State is strong. 

Ever Upward,

Gov. Kathy Hochul 

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