Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing political and policy challenges as she tries to win approval of a $233 billion budget plan through a Democratic-controlled state Legislature. | Mary Altaffer/APALBANY, New York — The $233 billion budget proposal Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to land this week is facing headwinds in a state roiled with division over the migrant crisis, an ideological split inside the Democratic Party over crime and political complexities to expand housing and help tenants.
Meeting the budget deadline this year is complicated, and one Hochul will have to navigate in hopes of getting an on-time deal — which would be her first since taking office in 2021. The plan faltered in large part over opposition by suburban lawmakers who balked at requirements for local governments to build or face a potential override of their zoning laws. This year, Hochul is trying a revised tactic of simply using financial incentives for communities who volunteer to build.
But the governor’s focus on spurring development has put her at odds with left-leaning Democratic lawmakers who have pushed for a version of Good Cause Eviction, which remains deeply unpopular among developers and moderate lawmakers. Hochul, who took office following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, has had missteps during past budget negotiations. Last year, the lack of an agreement over housing resulted inthe governor and the Legislature. Her effort to win changes to the state law limiting cash bail resulted in the budget beingin the state by reducing aid to districts that have lost enrollment created an uproar among lawmakers, who face all face elections this year.