New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered the 2026 State of the State address  this week announcing a number of proposals  including a plan to expand pre-kindergarten programs statewide.

The governor sought to unveil an agenda focused on accountablity and affordability as she faces opposition from both the GOP and her own party in her bid for reelection in November.

Hochul, a Democrat, proposed a legal change intended to allow people to sue federal officers “when they act outside the scope of their duties.”

“Public safety will always come first, but it must be pursued lawfully and with humanity,” Hochul said. “When boundaries are crossed, accountability matters.”

Hochul also vowed to protect New Yorkers from the current administration’s changes to public health policy, saying the state’s immunization standards would be “set by trusted medical experts, not conspiracy theorists.”

Republican Bruce Blakeman, who has announced his run for governor, issued a response saying “If speeches fixed problems, New York would be thriving. Instead, families are struggling and businesses are leaving.”

Hochul is also facing off against her own lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado who has criticized the governor and the Democratic party as a whole. In an op-ed in the NY Times following the 2024 election, Delgado says the party can not win  “with the same politicians telling the same old stories.”

Delgado was originally appointed after her previous lieutenant governor was indicted.

He issued a statement following the governor’s remarks say “This moment demands urgency, honesty, and the courage to act. New Yorkers can’t afford Governor Hochul’s half-measures.”

Local Assemblyman Brian Manktelow issued a statement saying in part “Year after year, Albany adds new programs and long-term costs without addressing the policies driving people and businesses out of the state.”

Senator Pam Helming echoed a similar sentiment.

“While the Governor spoke at length about affordability, she offered few real solutions to rein in spending, lower taxes, or ease the mandates driving up costs for workers, families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses.

Historically, these types of addresses are heavy with optimism and big ideas, but Helming said “The address felt more like a heavily scripted campaign speech than an honest assessment of where our state stands.”

While plenty of politicians and residents had criticisms following the speech, her challengers face what’s likely an uphill battle. Hochul has supporters like NYC’s new Mayor Zohran Mamdani who may help the governor reach the progressive side of the party. Mamdani was present at the speech, rising to applaud Hochul’s statewide child care plan. The rest of the room followed, delivering her a standing ovation. Amid the clapping, the governor added: “Republicans have kids, too, you can stand.”

An expanded “State of the State” booklet containing deeper breakdowns on the proposals shared during the event are available at governor.ny.gov/.