Hochul's promises could make a dent for New Yorkers

Gov. Kathy Hochul used her State of the State address Tuesday to make some big promises on consequential issues, from child care to housing.

If those promises become reality, they could make a significant dent in the affordability crisis facing New Yorkers, particularly in high cost areas like Long Island.

Now, of course, comes the hard part: turning the words into action.

Unlike some years past, when Long Island took center stage, with pledges of funding and upgrades specifically for the region, this year Hochul's speech dwelled less on geography and more on the issues themselves. But Hochul didn't have to mention Nassau and Suffolk counties to address the needs of its residents.

Hochul pledged to reduce the cost of car insurance, lower utility bills and make pre-K truly universal by 2028. And she emphasized the need to streamline the state environmental review process, known as SEQRA, to make housing construction and other building efforts easier. 

As is often the case, Hochul didn't get to everything in the words she delivered Tuesday. But the "book" accompanying her State of the State included additional priorities key to the region, too. Among them: the commitment to add $3.75 billion for water infrastructure and to develop a new Smart Growth Water Grant Program, especially geared for communities that require sewers and other infrastructure to build more housing. And, a long-overdue modernizing of the Long Island Rail Road's hub in Jamaica. Hochul must see those promises through. Achieving these goals could make an enormous difference for Long Island residents. But it won't be easy. Hochul now begins negotiating with the State Legislature to complete a budget. While many proposals are not overtly controversial, some may rankle some special interests. Even as they prioritize important new programs and lofty goals like universal child care, state officials must take care, as federal funding remains uncertain, not to overspend or dip into the all-important reserves pot Hochul worked hard to grow. 

Beyond the big-ticket items, Hochul has key policy items on her to-do list, from enacting new social media rules for children under 18 to requiring disclosure of AI images used in political campaigns. On those, devilish details are still to come.

Hochul's broad strokes and big ideas come in a larger context: her fight against what she called "real threats from [President] Donald Trump and his enablers in Congress," from funding cuts and immigration battles to halting offshore wind and trying to end congestion pricing. Hochul made Trump a theme throughout her remarks. Her efforts and reelection campaign will play out against that backdrop.

If mitigating the chaos of Washington translates into more expansive child care, lower auto insurance bills and more housing opportunities, that could be an enormous win — statewide and particularly for Long Island.