According to Mid-Hudson News, ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul’s state of the state address targeted the need for additional housing with a strategy to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade to meet the shortage and support renters and homeowners.
The New York Housing Compact will require all municipalities to achieve new home creation targets on a three-year cycle.
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, Forestburgh), chairwoman of the Mental Hygiene Committee, welcomes the housing strategy.
“If you are a child in school or an older person you can’t really manager your life unless you have a safe place to live, and I think that the people of New York State, the children of New York State, the geriatric folks of New York State, people with psychiatric histories, the DD community (developmentally disabled) of New York State, they deserve a place to live and be comfortable in their lives,” she said.
Other area officials commented on Hochul’s speech.
- State Senator Bill Weber (R, Nanuet): “While we were all happy to hear Governor Hochul talk about crime, amending the bail reform law, the high cost of housing and living, and improving our mental health system, we must examine the fine print. A tax increase off the table is certainly good news, but we all know that this state taxes too much and spends recklessly. That, along with the alarming rise in crime, is driving our population loss.”
- Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie): “Governor Hochul accurately described a lack of trust in state government among many everyday New Yorkers. Yet trust must be earned. For years Albany has bypassed or ignored local governments and their residents. Statewide legislation and executive orders have been pushed through with little input from those who would be affected most by these measures. This accounts for the trust deficit Governor Hochul rightly acknowledges. But it is Albany and not working families living in the Hudson Valley that bears the blame.”
- Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall): “The Governor also highlighted the need for affordability – something my taxed-to-death Orange County constituents know all too well. I’m opposed to any new taxes on the middle-class and look forward to reviewing the Governor’s proposals on housing affordability. In particular, I will be closely examining any efforts to force local zoning changes upon Hudson Valley communities, a deeply concerning concept that we defeated in last year’s budget.”
- Assemblyman Matt Slater (R, Brewster): “Hudson Valley families know the cost of living is sky high and Albany’s pro-criminal policies have made us less safe. We can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. New Yorkers deserve better. I hope the governor and legislative leaders are sincere about their commitment in joining us to address these critical issues for New Yorkers.”
- Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, Walden): “Gov. Hochul and I share the same concerns over New York’s out-migration issue. While the Governor is focused heavily on housing, that is just one important part of this problem and we have to take a multi-faceted approach. I am interested in looking into how we can retain the youth and talent of our state through good-paying jobs and lowering the overall cost of living. I made a promise to work across the political divide and I hope Gov. Hochul will work with everyone and truly support a healthy exchange of ideas as we work together with both sides of the aisle to make positive changes for our communities.”
- Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) “The Governor laid out an ambitious agenda to deal with many of the challenges facing the State including gun violence and public safety, mental health and housing affordability. I look forward to learning the details of her proposals. I will work to ensure that all can take advantage while also making sure that we do not raise taxes on the middle class.”
- Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus (R, Chester): “New York State has faced serious problems over the last decade and the majority are self-induced,” Neuhaus said. “In the last two years alone, a half a million residents have fled New York. I am optimistic and eager to see a change in direction in Albany but remain cautious. I look forward to the Governor’s upcoming budget proposal to see how she intends to execute some of the initiatives highlighted today and, more importantly, balance the state budget which is in a free fall.”