This was supposed to be a month for Gov. Kathy Hochul to tout her budget accomplishments, a spending plan that voters have generally given favorable reviews.
A Siena College poll released Tuesday found voters like a $1 billion increase in mental health care programs, an increase in the state’s minimum wage and applaud changes to the controversial bail law of the state
But Hochul is still not fully enjoying the fruits of the budget work, with a favorable rating of 40%.
“Voters like all these things, they think they’re going to be good for New York,” Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg said of the budget. “But at the same time, none of that has rubbed off on Governor Hochul.”
And the budget honeymoon was short.
Hochul now faces a growing crisis stemming from an expected increase in migrants heading to New York and the ongoing fight between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York County executives York who do not want to take in migrants who first arrived in the five boroughs.
Officials have urged Hochul to take a more active leadership role in the dispute.
“People are hungry for leadership,” said Republican state Sen. Rob Rolison. “That’s why, I think, so many people have such a low opinion of government in general. Leaders have to be leaders even before there’s a problem that you absolutely have to lead. Know what’s going on and be able to respond timely.”
Hochul pointed to the state’s growing efforts to provide support. The budget included $1 billion for housing and resources. It has expanded the presence of the National Guard. And the state is reviewing potential housing sites for migrants while seeking federal aid (Hochul said Monday that he has yet to hear back from the White House on his request sent late last week).
In phone calls with county leaders and in public, Hochul has been a sympathetic voice, supporting both Adams while telling local government officials he understands their concerns.
“We’ve literally been integrated now with their incident command center,” he said at a news conference Monday. “I have my best individuals or in place to help me navigate the complexities of what the mayor has had to deal with.”
His fellow Democrats in Albany have backed the governor. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has pointed to the federal role to play in providing support to migrants.
“All of us have to be able to work together to deal with this crisis,” he said, “and certainly humanity is at the core of it.”
