On August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the 57th Governor of New York. In her inaugural address, she outlined a plan to make the state more affordable, safer, and fairer for all residents. Hochul committed to addressing major challenges and investing in the state’s future.
According to her office, over the past four years, Hochul has implemented policies aimed at easing financial burdens for New Yorkers. Measures include reducing middle class tax rates to their lowest point in seven decades, raising the minimum wage with adjustments tied to inflation, expanding the Child Tax Credit as part of a $7 billion investment in child care over four years, and banning insulin copays—a first nationwide. Her administration also launched a $25 billion housing plan intended to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide within five years; more than half have been completed in two years. Additional steps included sending inflation rebate checks to over eight million households and increasing unemployment benefits.
In public safety, Hochul’s administration reports investing $2.6 billion since 2021 into law enforcement and related initiatives. The state passed new gun safety laws by strengthening its Red Flag law and restricting concealed carry weapons. Officials note a 53% drop in shootings from pandemic-era highs and removal of more than 10,000 illegal guns from circulation. Efforts also targeted transit crime—July was described as the safest July for subways in three decades—and addressed retail theft through worker protections and security funding for businesses.
The governor’s record on education includes an $8 billion increase in school aid and full funding of Foundation Aid for schools across New York. Policies were introduced to support distraction-free learning environments and improve literacy through reading initiatives. Universal free school meals are now available statewide.
Economic development highlights cited by Hochul’s office include securing Micron’s $100 billion investment in Central New York—the largest private investment in state history—expected to create up to 50,000 jobs (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-historic-100-billion-investment-micron-central-new-york). Other notable investments are Empire AI, which brings together leading universities for artificial intelligence research (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-empire-ai-transform-new-yorks-tech-economy-and-secure-states), Chobani’s $1 billion food manufacturing expansion (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-chobani-will-build-largest-food-manufacturing-facility-us-new-york), and creation of more than 812,000 private sector jobs since August 2021.
Hochul’s administration says it has worked to protect fundamental rights by defending reproductive freedom after the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-protect-abortion-rights-and-access-new-york), expanding shield laws for health care providers facing out-of-state prosecution (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-strengthen-legal-protections-reproductive-health-care-providers), enshrining an Equal Rights Amendment into the state constitution (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-equal-rights-amendment-bill-enabling-voters-decide-november-2024), signing maternal mortality legislation, and extending Medicaid coverage for pregnancy-related appointments.
Infrastructure improvements under Hochul include advancing long-delayed projects such as the Interborough Express and Second Avenue Subway (https://new.mta.info/project/interborough-express), opening Grand Central Madison station connecting Long Island Rail Road commuters directly to Manhattan’s east side (https://new.mta.info/grandcentralmadison), launching congestion pricing—the first program of its kind nationally—to fund transit upgrades (https://new.mta.info/project/congestion-pricing), pushing forward Syracuse’s I-81 viaduct project (https://www.dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities), and fully funding the MTA’s capital plan through 2029.
To address energy needs and climate goals, Hochul directed construction of an advanced nuclear plant designed to power one million homes; opened New York’s first utility-scale wind farm; reached solar capacity targets ahead of schedule; delivered $1.4 billion in energy savings via Solar For All programs; invested $300 million into power-ready sites; enacted cyber protections for grid security; and secured $1 billion toward clean energy initiatives.
Reflecting on her tenure so far, Governor Hochul stated: “Four years later…she’s just getting started.”
