Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Address [delivered on Jan. 14] was heavy on theatrics, pageantry, and rhetoric — and even some dancing — and light on specific policy details. But aside from a few unexpected artistic performances, the event fell in line with Albany tradition.

The governor’s annual State of the State typically offers a general vision for the coming year. In contrast, the executive-budget proposal presents the actual blueprint and, most importantly, the cost to taxpayers.

[Hochul’s Jan. 14] presentation directed much of the focus toward topics the Assembly Minority Conference has advocated for years: affordability and crime. It’s encouraging New Yorkers finally heard an acknowledgement of two issue areas that have been plaguing the state. And it can’t be ignored that the state’s cost-of-living crisis and public-safety shortcomings are the direct result of Democrats’ persistently poor policy decisions. Recognizing the problem is a good first step. Welcome to the party, governor.

However, after seeing the damage caused by six years of Albany’s one-party rule, it is hard to believe Democrats want to reverse course on their agenda. The governor talks about lowering the cost of living in New York, but every budget she facilitates sets a new spending record. She talks about keeping families and businesses here, but the state continues to be ranked as the worst tax climate in the nation. According to the Tax Foundation, New York is dead last on the 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index. [Hochul] talks about putting police on subway trains but has made no indication she will roll back the laws allowing career criminals to walk free hours after being arrested. And while Gov. Hochul has floated a middle-class tax cut (another Republican idea), the Democratic leaders of the state Senate and Assembly have stated tax increases may be on the table.

I urge the governor to break the pattern of the state’s budget approach in recent years. Runaway spending of taxpayer dollars cannot continue; one-time tax refund checks are not enough; and taxes and fees for every region, economic class, and business sector must come down. Driving to work in New York City should not cost a single cent more than it already did. Congestion pricing needs to be repealed. …Even a single mention of any new taxes in the budget will be one too many.

Achieving a more affordable New York will be an uphill battle so long as big-ticket legislation like the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which will cost untold billions to fully execute, remains the law of the land. Reshaping New York’s economic future will require a reset of many of the policies the governor and her allies in the state legislature have championed.        

William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.