Statement from Senator Stec on the 2024 State of the State Address

“Poll after poll has shown that a majority of New Yorkers believe our state is heading in the wrong direction. Recent data indicated that we continue to lose residents to other states in record numbers. It’s clear the status quo just isn’t working and that a new direction is necessary.  

            “This year’s State of the State Address was an opportunity for Governor Hochul to stake out a new course for New York, rein in the costly tax-and-spend policies that have caused our budget to escalate and business and families to leave. And while she acknowledged these issues, the overall vision she presented fails to meet the realities we face. 

“Ensuring our children receive a quality education has always been a top priority of mine. I’ve heard regularly from our region’s educators that an investment in literacy-building skills and development is essential. To that end, I’m encouraged by the governor’s proposal to improve literacy in New York State and look forward to learning more about it in next week’s budget proposal. 

“Since first becoming Senator, I’ve called for a plan-of-action concerning our closed correctional facilities. The North Country and Adirondacks are home to several of these sites, which were crucial to providing jobs and economic development to our region. I’ve heard directly from local officials on the need to get these sites back in use and have sponsored legislation to do just that. Hearing the governor heed these calls by proposing they get put towards an affordable housing plan is a good start. 

“On other fronts, the governor said far too little or offered mixed messaging. She claimed New York is safer than ever, then referred to a drastic increase in theft as an ‘utter breakdown of the social order.’ Similarly, the governor alternately touted subway safety while proposing plans to address the disturbing rise in subway assaults. For years, my Senate Republican colleagues and I have called for a full repeal of the state’s unsafe bail reform laws and other substantive public safety measures and yet again, the governor has offered unclear solutions to this serious issue. 

“Our state continues to lose residents to other states for better opportunities and more affordability elsewhere. Time and again, my colleagues and I have pointed this out and called for economic and regulatory initiatives that make New York more affordable and more hospitable to economic development and job growth. 

“While the governor did acknowledge outmigration, her address did not provide the solutions necessary to reverse this trend and jumpstart our economy. Instead of outlining a plan to rein in our state’s high tax-and-spend climate or create good-paying career opportunities for our residents, the vision outlined by the governor in the State of the State address seem to only continue these negative trends. 

“But like they say, the devil is in the details. Next week is the governor’s Executive Budget presentation. I look forward to seeing if and how these serious issues are addressed and how we can ensure the 2024 Legislative Session can best improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”