(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – Labor Leadership is responding to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address:

The New York State AFL-CIO: Governor Hochul outlined several environmental and climate policy initiatives in the State of the State address that have the potential to help meet the State's emission reduction goals.  If done correctly, cap and invest will reduce emissions while preserving industries and jobs.  Similarly, the revenue generated by cap and invest should be used to fund new clean energy projects that are manufactured, constructed, operated and maintained by Union Workers.  We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to address climate change while creating and preserving family-sustaining Union jobs.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on Indexing the Minimum Wage: "We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing how critically important it is to index the Minimum Wage.  This is an opportunity for New York to break the cycle of infrequent increases that lead to the Minimum Wage being insufficient.  Indexing the Minimum Wage to inflation will allow Workers and employers to have predictable and reliable increases in the future.  We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to pass legislation that will allow more New Yorkers to be paid wages they can live on.”

United University Professions (UUP) Frederick Kowal: “In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul spoke of making New York more affordable and ending outward migration. That should translate into a massive investment in SUNY (State University of New York).  No other State expenditure can match the incredible return on investment for our communities, on economic development, and on our future than an investment in SUNY.  We are heartened to hear Governor Hochul once again spotlight SUNY and the important work our Members do.  But we have communicated to her Administration and the Legislature that none of the ambitious goals laid out over the last year by the Governor can be achieved without providing the necessary resources to the entire SUNY System and to the Workers who fulfill SUNY’s mission.  There are 19 State-operated SUNY Campuses with projected or structural multi-million-dollar deficits. SUNY Campuses are an integral part of our communities.  It’s not enough to only focus on select SUNY University Centers.  We applaud Governor Hochul for identifying needed investment in mental health.  This is a crisis that affects our students and their families, as well as our Members across the State.  I believe UUP and SUNY can be partners in addressing the shortage of mental health providers and improving mental health outcomes.  We cannot fail our students and our communities by starving them of resources for fear of a possible recession.  That will only limit the ability of New York to rebound if one were to occur, which is still uncertain.  SUNY is an important economic engine, and one New York can employ to prevent a recession - and to springboard out of one if one occurs.  We look forward to the Executive Budget presentation to see the proper support for our campuses and SUNY’s three Public Teaching Hospitals.  UUP stands ready to work with Governor Hochul, new SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. and the Legislature in building SUNY back, better than ever.” 

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Andy Pallotta: "Governor Hochul's historic commitment to invest in our public schools is a huge step forward and is exactly what our State needs.  Fully-funded Foundation Aid will dramatically improve the lives of students, Educators and families across New York.  We celebrate the Governor's ongoing commitment to building a world-class Public Education System that supports New Yorkers at every stage of their educational lives, from Universal Pre-K to affordable, equitable higher education through operating aid for SUNY, CUNY (City University of New York) and community colleges.  We applaud her pledge to seriously address mental health concerns affecting students, families and Educators across the State.  This is a vital step to help ensure the safety of our schools and improve long-term outcomes for our students.  We also commend the Governor's plan to connect the State Minimum Wage to inflation, providing much-needed financial relief to families across the State.  We're eager to review the Governor's full budget proposal later this month and look forward to working with her and our partners in the Legislature to ensure that the final State budget delivers on the recommendations we outlined in our Future Forward report.  As always, NYSUT will continue to advocate for our Members who selflessly devote themselves, day in and day out, to the communities they serve."  

To Direct Access Governor Hochul’s 2023 State Of The State Remarks, Go To: www.governor.ny.gov/news/remarks-prepared-governor-hochul-delivers-2023-state-state

Photo Courtesy of Governor Hochul's Facebook Page.