Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on PIX 11’s “PIX on Politics with Dan Mannarino,” where she discussed several major issues affecting New York.
During the interview, Governor Hochul addressed recent national news regarding an incident in Minneapolis involving an ICE agent. She said, “It was inevitable that something like this would happen. So you have to go back to the primary question, why are they still in places like Minneapolis? 2000 ICE agents, they have been aggressively going after the residents of that city in that region for a long time. And if your effort is to get rid of the worst of the worst, the baddest of the bad — this is what the president promised us — you should identify them and remove them. I’m okay with that. But why do you have to be around and just harass people and continue this onslaught on people that are just trying to make a living for themselves and their families? No, I’m shocked at that but what hurts even more — Dan you’re a parent —”
She continued by highlighting the impact on families: “There’s a 6-year-old who woke up yesterday with a mom and went to bed as an orphan getting raised by a grandfather — a father she lost. I cannot even comprehend the pain in that family where the child’s going to grow up without parents because of the untrained, in my opinion, behavior. Law enforcement— legitimate law enforcement who take longer training and are committed to their work — this doesn’t happen with them, or it’s very rare because they know how to deescalate. You deescalate, you don’t go up there and be aggressive.”
Governor Hochul stated her opposition to increasing ICE presence in New York: “This is something that we do not want to see in New York. I’d be very opposed to any escalation in the number of ICE agents coming here. But they’re just running a muck around this country, so we don’t really know what their next maniacal design is on a place like New York City — we just don’t know.”
When asked about recourse for those negatively impacted by ICE actions, she said: “A negative interaction is having your mother killed, okay? That child is going to have lifelong expenses. So that’s, in my judgment, a private right of action that should be available in those cases, and we’ll make sure it happens in New York. So there’s recourse in the courts against an individual who acts outside the color of law, right? This is not something that’s supposed to happen in the normal course of doing your business.”
She also referenced incidents involving journalists and business owners: “We also had a case where two journalists were injured covering the story right here at 26 Federal Plaza, so they should have a recourse. The business owner who’s had their lifelong business that they worked so hard on — a little bodega, a little pizza parlor literally ransacked and destroyed, they ought to have some recourse.”
On providing financial compensation for such incidents: “Yes. When New Yorkers’ constitutional rights are being trampled upon, they ought to know they’ve got a Governor who stood up for them, changed the law, and allowed them to at least be able to aggrieve what happened to them before a judge and find out what can be done.”
Regarding sanctuary status and ICE’s role in New York City: “We don’t need them. We don’t need them here. And they keep mischaracterizing even what sanctuary status means. We will help anyone, help any agent assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the people who are committing these serious crimes… So I think their effort is to create chaos… That’s what they’re going for here, and we’re onto it… Crime is down dramatically here in the City of New York and across the State. We don’t need you for a law enforcement presence…”
The conversation shifted toward universal child care plans announced earlier alongside Mayor Mamdani. Governor Hochul outlined efforts aimed at expanding access: “We’ve worked closely since the mayor was elected and I really believed in his vision to make sure that every young person in the City of New York has child care available to them… $26,000 to $40,000 a year is more than the cost of a SUNY or CUNY tuition… I’m going to help beef up slots available for 4-year-old and 3-year-old programs…”
She explained improvements targeting neighborhood access: “And that’s part of our vision for Universal child care… He’ll identify specific neighborhoods for this upcoming year to fund over 2000 child care slots… Statewide… we would have universal child care in State of New York including cities over certain amount time…”
Hochul added details about funding commitments: “No it’s too far out project numbers at this point… It’s very unusual even make commitment next year… But I decided do so people would know this serious…”
On tax policy related questions about funding these initiatives without new increases: “No what we’ve been able do identify existing revenues cover this… We’ve already had tax increase wealthy people I extended what was supposed expiration tax increase wealthy just last year… The wealthy are paying higher taxes now…”
When pressed about further increases:
“Yes.”
“Off table?”
“Yes because I don’t think it makes sense tax anyone or wealthy particular just sake raising taxes…”
Addressing transportation policy proposals such as free buses:
“Not at this time but we’ve also said nothing permanent no we’re having conversations…”
Hochul commented on federal funding concerns following statements from President Trump about withholding funds:
“No we’re looking litigation filing lawsuit within hours if not tomorrow morning… At same time making major investment NY families support them Donald Trump literally declaring war kids…” She criticized federal actions impacting programs such as SNAP benefits.
Finally when asked about her re-election campaign’s lieutenant governor pick:
“We’ll have Lieutenant Governor picked by time we have our convention which just few weeks away February 6th…”
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