Statement from New York City Comptroller Mark Levine on Gov. Hochul’s 2026 State of the State

 

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine issued the following statement after attending Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address:

“Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers are battling an affordability crisis that is driving our neighbors from the communities they love. From expanding childcare access to expediting the creation of housing and improving public transit, Governor Hochul’s State of the State address lays out a bold agenda to address this crisis head-on.

“Expanding childcare access won’t just provide relief to families struggling with the high cost of childcare; it is a mission-critical investment to keep New York families in New York. Governor Hochul’s $8 billion investment in our state’s childcare infrastructure will transform the lives of New York families.

“Battling our housing crisis will also require building more affordable homes, and we cannot afford to delay this critical work. I have long worked to help reduce unnecessary barriers to creating the housing we desperately need. The Governor’s commitment to cutting red tape and expediting permitting will unlock our agenda to build new affordable housing across the city.

“Governor Hochul’s proposals to extend the Second Avenue Subway westward and expedite the Interborough Express (IBX) permitting will bring much needed access to areas with limited train service and reduce wait times for the millions of New Yorkers who depend on public transit daily.

“I look forward to reviewing the proposed State budget and working with Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and the State Legislature to advance a robust agenda that tackles our city’s affordability crisis.”