Hochul’s address comes with mix of optimism, skepticism from both sides of aisle

Gov. Kathy Hochul laid an aggressive legislative agenda on Tuesday, proclaiming the task ahead of New Yorkers may sound daunting, but the stakes could not be any higher.

She says the goals are straightforward and clear. she says her vision will make New York safer, more affordable, and will create more jobs and opportunities today and tomorrow.

Among her boldest initiation was to spend $1 billion on mental health – part of which will create more psych beds for kids. She says it’s long overdue.

She also intends to build 800,000 new houses so that when job growth continues, people will have a place to live.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle weighed in.

“I thought it was a very upbeat speech,” said Democratic Sen. Neil Breslin. “They are great goals and we’re beginning to suffer a little bit from a lack of money. So I want to make sure we can pay for all those programs.”

“Some of the issues that she brought up, I think are important issues, but what she said about them, I think really falls short, with one exception being when she talked about mental health,” said Republican Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh.

“The devil is going to be in the details, and she didn’t provide a lot of details,” said Democratic Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

“I liked what she had to say about mental health crisis that we’re facing. I think that’s something that everyone agrees on,” said Republican Assemblyman Dan Stec. “Is a billion dollars the right dollar amount? We can talk about that, but I think there is broad support.”

Hochul also pointed out a majority of economists are predicting a recession. That’s why she has no intention of raising income taxes this year.

NewsChannel 13 couldn’t find any lawmakers who disagreed with that sentiment.