“Governor Kathy Hochul has made it clear that she is hitting the ground running with the policy priorities she outlined in her speech. A universal mask requirement for anyone entering our schools will give parents the peace of mind they deserve as they send their mostly unvaccinated children back to classrooms and it will help to avoid the confusion of fragmented rules in different school districts. 

“Requiring vaccinations for school personnel with the option of testing out will be an added layer of protection, it will ensure in-person learning continues and it will help us reach herd immunity. Albany County is prepared to bolster the state’s testing efforts with the $6.6 million we’ve already been allotted from the federal government.

“I applaud Governor Hochul for making Emergency Rental Assistance funding a top priority, and I know she will do everything possible to reduce barriers and help our struggling tenants and property owners. I’m also confident she will bring greater accountability, openness and cooperation to New York State government. The Governor asked us to have faith in her, and she has it.”