CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979

GOV. HOCHUL’S STATE OF THE STATE: MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS ARE NOT HER FAMILY OR HER FIGHT

See VOCAL-NY’s 2026 Legislative Platform Here

VOCAL-NY Leaders Watched the Address From Brooklyn and Rochester

NEW YORK — Today, in response to Governor Hochul 2026 State of the State Address, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to statewide leadership from VOCAL-NY:

“Once again, Governor Hochul’s vision includes some New Yorkers, but not all. The most marginalized New Yorkers were predictably left out from her description of a strong New York. Between patting herself on the back and blaming Trump, she extended her hand to the middle class, but fell short from reaching us — the very people most likely to be harmed by the federal government she has rightly criticized. 

With widening income inequality and attacks from the federal level, we need our state government to provide relief and permanent solutions to ensure housing, healthcare, economic security, and dignity for all. The money Hochul has pledged to bolster our safety nets doesn’t come close to the billions she’s throwing behind police and calling it ‘public safety.’ She’s quick to celebrate low crime rates, but ignores the people suffering from over-policing and the crisis still unfolding in New York State prisons. She highlighted building new housing developments in the future, but neglected to mention or prioritize homeless New Yorkers. With all her proposals, her refusal to raise revenue by taxing the rich will leave us fighting for crumbs. 

These unprecedented times require a fundamental shift in governance away from the status quo. We need leaders ready to champion that fight, but today gives us little hope that Hochul is on our side.”

BACKGROUND:

At the end of last year, VOCAL-NY ratified its 2026 state legislative platform, “Meeting the Moment: Federal Cuts & Colliding Crises.” The platform focuses on protecting and implementing proven solutions, raising revenue to stabilize the safety net, and creating pathways to release & stability. 

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