Kathy Hochul
67 years old·Democratic Party·Governor of New York
- Known for
- Governor of New York, First female governor
- Born in
- Buffalo, New York, United States
- Education
- Juris Doctor, Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
Kathy Hochul is the first female governor of New York, ascending to the office in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo's resignation. A Buffalo native and longtime Democrat, she navigates a complex political landscape balancing progressive demands with pragmatic governance. Her tenure has been marked by significant infrastructure decisions, management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating the intricacies of state fiscal policy.
Signature Positions
Hochul’s governorship is defined by a blend of fiscal responsibility and social advocacy:
- Economic Development: Spearheaded the $850 million public funding deal for the Buffalo Bills stadium, the largest taxpayer contribution for an NFL facility at the time.
- Reproductive Rights: Vocal supporter of abortion access, calling the overturning of Roe v. Wade a "grave injustice" and advocating for the Reproductive Health Act.
- Immigration: Supports expediting work permits for migrants to address workforce shortages, despite legal challenges from the federal government.
- Infrastructure/Transit: Halted the Manhattan congestion pricing plan due to economic concerns, though later revived it with a reduced fee, sparking significant backlash from lawmakers.
How Views Have Evolved
Hochul has shown shifts in her policy stances across different stages of her career:
- Immigration: As Erie County Clerk (2007), she opposed providing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants and threatened arrests; as Governor (2018), she supported legislation to grant licenses, citing changed circumstances.
- Trade: While opposing free trade agreements like NAFTA during her 2011 congressional run, she later opposed tariffs imposed by Donald Trump and collaborated with Canadian officials against them.
Notable Tensions
Hochul's governorship has faced criticism from various groups over key decisions:
- Fiscal Priorities: The Buffalo Bills stadium deal was heavily criticized as "corporate welfare" due to the large taxpayer contribution.
- Judicial Appointments: Her nomination of Hector LaSalle for Chief Judge was overwhelmingly rejected by the State Senate due to concerns over his record on abortion, criminal justice, and the environment.
- Public Health Policy: Faced legal challenges over a state health policy allowing for potential involuntary detention of asymptomatic patients, which a judge ruled unconstitutional.
- Economic Policies: Her sudden halting of the congestion pricing plan and subsequent proposal of a payroll tax hike drew intense criticism for inconsistent economic reasoning.