New Yorkers are looking for leaders who will fight for affordable housing, access to healthcare, quality education, and economic justice—not more empty promises.
Albany, NY – For over 40 years, Citizen Action of New York has been steadfastly committed to transforming New York into a just and equitable place where everyone can thrive. Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address, Citizen Action Interim Co-Executive Director Rebecca Garrard had the following to say:
“In a time when New Yorkers are desperate for strong, bold leadership, Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address was another glaring reminder of her allegiance to the wealthy few at the expense of working families. Her speech, filled with a woefully narrow scope of solutions and vision, fails to address the urgent needs of everyday New Yorkers who continue to struggle to make ends meet as we enter 2025.
“Despite acknowledging the affordability crisis crushing New Yorkers, Hochul’s refusal to tax the obscene wealth of billionaires and giant corporations speaks volumes. These entities rake in record profits from the hard work of New Yorkers, yet her address failed to offer the necessary relief that a fair tax on these profits could provide. The revenue generated could fund rent relief, bolster public schools, expand health care access, and ensure that all New Yorkers benefit from the wealth they help create. Yet, unsurprisingly, the State of the State contained no plan to generate revenue to fund both desperately needed new programs and programs at risk due to a potential loss in Federal funding.
“Additionally, the governor’s emphasis on “public safety” through the roll backs of crucial discovery reforms does not serve the public — instead, it provides cover for the rampant corruption of the NYPD and denies due process for anyone who might be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If the state of Texas can provide transparency of evidence in a timely manner from their police officers, surely the great state of New York can do the same.
“While the proposals to expand the Child Tax Credit, provide free school meals, and provide direct cash payments to low-income mothers represent a step in the right direction, they ultimately fall short. These measures are similar to putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. The scale of New York’s challenges demands a far more ambitious and comprehensive approach, one that genuinely addresses the vast disparities and ensures the wealth generated in this state is used to improve the lives of all its residents, not just the privileged few.
“The legislative battles of 2025 are shaping up to be many, but we refuse to back down. Across New York, Citizen Action members stand ready to organize during this legislative session and beyond, leveraging alliances with partners inside and outside state government. We are committed to a people-powered plan to invest in childcare, education, an end to childhood poverty, climate initiatives, and all that is necessary to build a New York where everyone can thrive.
“This fight is not just about policy—it’s about justice. It’s past time for bold, transformative action that puts the needs of the many above the profits of the few. We will not stop until every New Yorker shares in the prosperity they contribute to.”