State of the State features new NYC mayor as Hochul adopts affordability focus for 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her fifth State of the State address Tuesday, prominently featuring New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as she outlined an affordability-focused agenda for 2026. The governor announced plans to fund free childcare for two-year-olds in New York City, part of a broader push toward universal childcare that mirrors one of Mamdani’s signature campaign promises. While Hochul’s speech reflected embrace of many Mamdani priorities, subtle but significant gaps between their agendas also emerged, particularly regarding free public buses and tax increases on wealthy New Yorkers.
Strategic Political Alignment
Hochul seated Mamdani in the fourth row of the theatre at The Egg performing arts complex in Albany, directly introducing him by name to sustained applause. The governor noted that she and Mamdani stand together on affordability and childcare issues driving his historic election victory. She announced plans to launch 2-care, providing free childcare for two-year-olds in New York City, along with expanded pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds statewide and increased subsidies for families. The governor committed 1.2 billion dollars in state funding to support the childcare expansion.
A Celebration of Common Ground
After her speech, Hochul was warmly greeted by Mamdani, who called the childcare commitment profoundly more than a campaign promise. The mayor told reporters it assures New Yorkers they need not choose between raising a family and remaining in the city they love. The governor’s embrace of universal childcare signals political alignment on a key affordability priority.
Where They Diverge
Most notably, Hochul made no announcement regarding free buses, one of Mamdani’s most significant policy commitments. The governor has previously suggested skepticism about fiscal feasibility of eliminating fares on the city’s entire bus network, which would cost approximately one billion dollars annually in lost revenue to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mamdani has insisted free buses are achievable through tax increases on wealthy New Yorkers and corporations.
The Tax Question That Divides
While Hochul announced proposals making New York more affordable, she notably did not endorse income tax increases on the wealthy. Instead, she announced a modest tax break for tipped income, which progressive groups criticized as insufficient. Mamdani has called for raising taxes on New York’s wealthiest residents and corporations to fund his ambitious affordability agenda.
Shared Ground on Immigration
The governor and mayor found common ground on immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant communities from federal ICE raids. Hochul announced proposed legislation requiring federal immigration agents to obtain judicial warrants before entering sensitive locations. She also pledged to prosecute federal agents who violate New Yorkers’ constitutional rights. Mamdani has made defending immigrant communities a top priority.
A Broader Political Context
Hochul is running for reelection in 2026 facing primary challenges from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and general election opposition from Republican Bruce Blakeman. The governor appears threading a political needle between progressive excitement about Mamdani’s election and moderate concerns about public safety. Her speech attempted to signal toughness on crime and fiscal responsibility while embracing progressive affordability initiatives and immigration rights.
Looking Ahead
Hochul’s budget proposal, expected in early February, will reveal how serious the governor is about funding the childcare expansion and other initiatives announced in her speech. Whether she continues resisting tax increases on wealthy New Yorkers or moves toward Mamdani’s preferred financing mechanism remains an open question. The childcare partnership provides a tangible example of how state and city leadership can collaborate on affordability, even when they differ on particular policy tools. Mamdani’s first months in office will test whether the city can implement ambitious affordability policies and whether state lawmakers will provide necessary approvals and funding. The alignment between Mamdani and Hochul demonstrates New York State leadership recognizes political shifts and the need to respond with serious budget commitments while federal officials continue threatening state and city funding.
