GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S OP-ED IN THE POST-STANDARD: WHY I’M PUTTING MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET

The Post-Standard published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul discussing her longstanding commitment to addressing the cost of living in New York, which includes her new proposal to send Inflation Refund checks to 340,000 Central New York residents and 8.6 million New Yorkers overall. The text of the op-ed is available online.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation has significantly impacted New Yorkers’ incomes. In the past four years alone, the price of basic items like a dozen eggs has more than doubled nationally. Milk now costs a dollar more per gallon, hamburger is up nearly $2 per pound, and diapers have risen by $7 a pack.

With the skyrocketing costs of essential items like these, putting food on the table has become more difficult. Many New Yorkers continue to feel the strain, aware that every dollar matters. For families with small children or seniors on fixed incomes, these costs quickly add up.

The residents of Syracuse, in particular, are all too familiar with the economic challenges of an ever-changing economy, and the sense that the government is not doing enough to help.

Governor Hochul understands this struggle personally. She recalls watching her factory worker grandparents face financial hardship in their old age, and seeing her mother raise a family of eight by stretching every dollar. She remembers shopping at discount grocery stores and dreaming of the day when her family could afford essentials like formula and diapers.

This personal experience has shaped her approach to the affordability crisis. Since taking office three years ago, the Governor has made it her top priority to address this issue. As part of her proposed state budget, she intends to introduce a historic directive to return $3 billion in surplus sales tax revenue to taxpayers.

Under the proposed Inflation Refund plan, individuals earning less than $150,000 per year would receive a $300 check, while couples earning less than $300,000 would receive $500.

This money is intended for essential purchases, including groceries, clothing, medicine, rent, or other expenses that New Yorkers deem necessary. The surplus sales tax revenue comes from high inflation, and Governor Hochul believes it should be returned to the people rather than spent by the state.

The Inflation Refund plan could benefit 8.6 million households, helping middle-class New Yorkers with everyday expenses such as groceries, student loans, rent, or medical bills. This initiative is just the beginning of her 2025 affordability agenda for New York.

The Inflation Refund will build upon actions already taken to support New York families, such as tax cuts for the middle class, property tax reductions, increased housing supply to lower rents, and enhanced tuition assistance. The Governor’s administration has also increased childcare support, allowing some families to pay as little as $15 per week. Additionally, minimum wage has been raised and indexed to inflation, and paid prenatal leave has been implemented for working mothers.

Governor Hochul’s focus on affordability is central to her leadership, with a daily commitment to fighting for the families of New York. As Central New York stands on the brink of a manufacturing resurgence, the Governor stresses the importance of supporting residents facing rising costs. Without addressing the immediate financial pressures that people face, the promise of future economic renewal could remain out of reach.

No one should be forced to leave New York because they cannot afford to live there. Governor Hochul believes that New York should be a place where people can thrive, not just survive.

She emphasizes that her fight for New York’s families is ongoing, and she will never stop advocating for their well-being.