To-Go Drinks are back as part of New York's economic comeback: Hochul

LONG ISLAND, NY — Gov. Kathy's Hochul's 2022 State of the State address Wednesday focused on initiatives aimed at kickstarting New York's comeback — including expanding the state's health care workforce, tax relief, of an investment in infrastructure and wind energy and a focus on tackling climate change.

Along with the ongoing battle against the pandemic, Hochul outlined nine key elements of her agenda, including rebuilding the health care economy. protecting public safety and taking strong action against gun violence; investing in the people of New York. investing in New York's communities; making New York's housing system more affordable, fair and stable; making New York a national leader in climate action and green jobs; rebuilding New York's teacher workforce and redesigning higher education. advancing New York's position as a model of national equality — and making critical reforms to restore New Yorkers' faith in their government.

Hochul unexpectedly found herself at the helm in August when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations — and in the months since, she's had to deal with a surge in new COVID-19 cases.

“As I stand before you, I am well aware of the significance of this moment: the first time in New York history that a woman has delivered this annual speech. But I didn't come here to make history. I came to make a difference,” said Hotchul.

Hochul said she is proposing a “New Era for New York. The days of governors who ignored the legitimate role of this legislature are over. The days of the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City wasting time on small rivalries are over. The days of New Yorkers questioning whether their government really works for them are over.”

Hochul said her work has been focused on a comprehensive pandemic plan, even as the new strain of the virus has hit the state hard.

“We're doing everything we can to keep New Yorkers healthy: setting policies that have made our vaccination rate one of the highest in the nation, activating a military-style operation with vax and testing facilities, deploying the National Guard to our hospitals and nursing homes, and sending 37 million tests across the state,” he said.

The goal is not just to keep kids in school and New Yorkers healthy, but to make sure businesses stay open, he said.

Health workers are physically and emotionally exhausted, Hochul said. That attrition, combined with staff shortages, “has led to a crisis,” Hochul said.

To that end, Hochul said that a debt of gratitude is not enough. Instead, the state must pay workers the debt, starting with a retention bonus of up to $3,000 to health and direct care workers and higher wages, “so those who do God's work here on earth are no longer doing it for the minimum wage”. he said.

Additionally, Hochul said the goal is to make it easier for doctors and nurses from other states with existing licenses to practice in New York. He spoke of expanded capacity at medical institutions to train students and the ability to receive free tuition and scholarships if they remain in New York after graduation.

“A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic requires a once-in-a-lifetime response,” Hochul said.

That's why it announced Wednesday that it aims to grow the health care workforce by 20 percent over the next five years by investing $10 billion in the industry.

Aiming to strengthen teacher ranks, Hochul said efforts to recruit and retain teachers will be stepped up with more effective training and support, faster and easier certification, and stronger career pipelines and ladders. Additional mental health leaders will also be added, he said.

For those families, small business owners and farmers affected, Hochul said the $1.2 billion in tax cuts originally scheduled to take effect between 2022 and 2025 will be accelerated. A $1 billion property tax credit will be provided to more than 2 million homeowners. And expanded access to affordable child care will go to 100,000 more working families, with a statewide investment of $75 million in child care worker wages, Hotchul said.

New York, he said, will also provide $100 million in “essential assistance to nearly 200,000 small businesses to keep the doors open.

Those struggling due to the pandemic will be given tax relief for purchases related to COVID-19, such as outdoor heaters and seating.

And for bar and restaurant owners, to-go drinks will once again be given the green light.

Farmers will be supported through a tax credit for overtime they pay, an increase in the investment tax credit and an expansion and doubling of the farm labor retention credit, Hochul said.

New York cannot ignore the fact that 300,000 residents left the state last year, Hotchul said. “This is the steepest population decline of any state in the nation, a wake-up call that cannot be ignored.”

Her hope is to rebuild New York and jump-start the economy by transforming downtowns, creating new jobs and training a workforce ready to fill them with a rebooted workforce development office tied to educational facilities.

Hochul also addressed educational opportunities for those in prisons and a “prison to jobs” initiative. it would also reinstate the Tuition Assistance Program for the incarcerated, ending a 30-year ban.

Hochul also announced an investment in building infrastructure, including the Inter-Borough Express, a new rail service that will connect Brooklyn and Queens.

On digital infrastructure, Hochul announced $1 billion in investments to connect New Yorkers to high-speed internet.

He pledged to continue fighting climate change, including increasing the environmental bond law to $4 billion to go to the polls this fall — and a $500 million investment in offshore wind to create thousands of good-paying green jobs.

Hochul also recalled her goal to reduce 80 percent of New York's power plant emissions by 2030. “New construction in the state will be zero-emissions by 2027, and we will build climate-friendly, electric homes and promote electric cars, trucks and buses,” he said. “I lived surrounded by the causes of climate change – and now I live with its effects,” he said.

On gun control, Hochul said the plan is to triple resources for both gun tracking efforts and successful community-based programs.

“Combating gun violence is critical, but we must address other factors that contribute to the pervasive anxiety felt by many on our streets,” he said, including the human crisis of growing street homelessness. Hochul said teams of mental health professionals and social workers will be created to work with New York City workers to reach out to homeless people and get them into shelters and housing.

Addressing the affordable housing crisis, Hochul said she will start one
a new, five-year housing plan to create and maintain 100,000 affordable housing units, including 10,000 units with supportive services for high-risk populations;

Another factor in the housing strategy is the conversion of hotels and offices into residences, he said.

Hochul concluded with the need to restore faith in the government.

“For the government to function, those of us in power cannot continue to cling to it,” Hochul said. “We need to continually give the baton to new leaders with different perspectives and fresh ideas.

Hochul also plans to replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics with a new “ethics enforcement watchdog. One with real teeth. The one who answers to New Yorkers – not to politicians,” he said.

Hochul added, “How we will be judged will be determined by what we do here, right now. Let us seize this moment with great confidence and optimism. And create a legacy of achievement that will last through the ages, A new era for the new York”.

Not all lawmakers applauded Hochul's speech.

Rep. Lee Zeldin, who has announced his own plans to run for governor, countered.

“Under the Cuomo-Hochul administration, punishing taxes and rising costs of living, rampant crime, stifling attacks on our freedom, and endless scandals have resulted in New York leading the nation in exodus. Unfortunately, current New York Governor Kathy Hotchul and the one-party rule in Albany have continued the attacks on your children's wallets, safety, liberties and education,” Zeldin said.

Zeldin outlined 30 proposals, including eliminating cashless bail.

“We need political balance in Albany, we need to break the supermajorities in the Assembly and Senate, and just as importantly, we need a geographic balance of power. Every New Yorker, no matter where they live, should feel they have a voice and representation in our state capital. The bottom line is this: In November, we have to 'Save Our State' at the polls,” Zeldin said.