“Governor Kathy Hochul today not only laid out a bold plan to take on the multitude of real crises New Yorkers are facing in their daily lives, but also created a vision for the future that will improve lives for generations to come, all while prioritizing proposals that will reform government and improve the public’s trust.

“The Omicron variant has driven up daily COVID infections alarmingly beyond record levels, which continues to impact our hospitals and healthcare staff, and I’m happy that the Governor has committed to grow the healthcare workforce and reward our frontline heroes through a retention bonus.

“While we deal with the latest surge of COVID cases, the fallout from the economic shut down has been almost equally damaging and we need to balance our priorities. Mental health issues and addiction have returned to crisis levels, and economic uncertainty has made it even worse. Our economy has not fully recovered, and there are still too many people struggling to make ends meet. The Governor’s accelerated middle-class tax cuts, small business support and expanded childcare access funding will make a huge difference in the lives of our families. Beyond that the $500 million committed to offshore wind energy will create more jobs and move us further away from fossil fuels and towards a greener New York.

“Another unfortunate side effect of the ongoing pandemic has been public safety, which have become real concerns for New York residents. I commend Governor Hochul’s continued dedication to tackling gun violence, and part of the solution can be found in creating more economic opportunities, especially for our youth.

“Governor Hochul has demonstrated a willingness to work in a partnership with counties and local governments, and I stand ready to assist her in any way I can to implement her vision and move New York into a new era.”