Hochul’s 2026 State of the State: Affordability & Reform
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Key takeaways
- Affordability as the throughline: Hochul centers the State of the State on reducing expenses for families, from child care to energy and taxes.
- Universal pre‑K expansion: The centerpiece is universal pre‑K with 2‑year‑old programs and targeted expansion for 3‑year‑olds in NYC, plus pilots elsewhere.
- Broad policy package: Proposals include ghost guns, online protections for children, AI restrictions, auto-insurance reforms, tip tax relief, and a major nuclear power expansion.
- Immigration enforcement note: A plan to require federal officers carry a judicial warrant in “sensitive locations” is slated for inclusion.
- Watch for revenue discussions: No tax hikes on high earners planned, but potential corporate tax changes and other revenue options remain on the table.
Table of contents
- Overview
- Universal pre‑K and child care
- Other proposals
- Immigration enforcement in sensitive locations
- What to watch next
- Reactions from leaders
- Related coverage
For the fifth time since taking office, Gov. Kathy Hochul will deliver her State of the State address at The Egg in Albany. The focus is squarely on affordability — a theme that dominates political dialogue as voters weigh cost of living ahead of November elections. Hochul has teased a bold plan for universal child care, signaling a shift toward broader, state‑level commitments rather than NYC‑centric approaches.
Universal pre‑K and child care
The centerpiece is a move to universal pre‑K, with programs for 2‑year‑olds and expanded access for 3‑year‑olds in New York City, alongside pilots in other regions. Hochul framed the cost challenge plainly: “Double the cost of a SUNY or CUNY college education,” she said, “I mean, think about that. Like, ‘OK, I can either take care of my child or pay for college someday?’”
Other proposals
Beyond child care, the plan includes:
- Cracking down on ‘ghost guns’
- Online protections for children and restrictions on AI chatbots
- Lowering car insurance costs by addressing staged accidents
- Eliminating taxes on tips and expanding the state’s nuclear capacity from 3.4 GW to 8.4 GW
According to Syracuse.com, Hochul’s proposals also include immigration enforcement tweaks. NY1 reported she will include legislation mandating federal officials carry a judicial warrant in “sensitive locations.”
Immigration enforcement in sensitive locations
New language would require judicial warrants for civil enforcement in sensitive areas, signaling a more measured approach to federal immigration enforcement within the state.
What to watch next
Observers will look for any adjustments to the Raise the Age law and for signals about additional revenue sources. Hochul has stressed she does not want to raise income taxes on high earners but has not ruled out other taxes, including corporate rates.
Reactions from leaders
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins emphasized finishing the job on universal pre‑K, while Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt acknowledged the benefits of child care but questioned workforce and infrastructure capacity. Republican Bruce Blakeman urged statewide implementation, and Hochul’s primary opponent Antonio Delgado warned that New York is more than New York City.
Source: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2026/01/13/hochul-state-of-the-state
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