Hochul’s Budget: A Balancing Act on Crime and Costs
ALBANY, New York — Governor Kathy Hochul has managed to secure significant policy victories within her ambitious $254 billion budget, tackling pressing issues like crime rates and the soaring cost of living. However, this impressive feat is merely the first step in what promises to be a challenging endeavor: convincing the electorate of its merits.
The New York Democrat’s fourth budget proposal, which awaits legislative approval, bolsters her image as a competent dealmaker in Albany, as it introduces measures aimed at addressing serious concerns such as antisemitism, random street crime, and mental health issues. Yet, despite her legislative prowess, Hochul finds herself grappling with a disconnect between her achievements and public perception.
Many of the budget’s provisions are incremental and unlikely to yield immediate results before Hochul faces voters in the upcoming reelection campaign. As she navigates these political waters, she finds it difficult to present a neatly packaged solution that can be easily marketed to the public.
In a bid to address crime, the budget includes a crackdown on masked offenders, mandates hospitalization for mentally ill individuals who pose a threat, and limits cellphone use in schools—all measures that have sparked considerable debate among left-leaning Democrats. Hochul’s centrist approach to criminal justice reform reflects her awareness of the precarious political landscape she navigated in 2022, when she secured victory by a slim margin amidst growing voter concerns about cashless bail and public safety. The governor has adeptly woven these contentious topics into her budget negotiations, a time-honored tradition in Albany where fiscal plans often encompass broader policy discussions.
Despite these efforts, many Democrats believe Hochul possesses a national message that could resonate. Her allies are gearing up to communicate her accomplishments directly to New York voters, as emphasized by state Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs. “It’s vital we craft a strategy to share this success,” Jacobs stated. “The governor has achieved something significant, and it would be unfortunate if the public remains unaware.”
Interestingly, while Hochul’s moderate policies seem to strike a chord with voters, her personal approval ratings tell a different story. Recent polling by Siena College shows that while 44% of voters view her favorably, a nearly equal 43% do not—a precarious position for an incumbent preparing for reelection. Alarmingly, nearly half of respondents expressed a desire for new leadership.
To counter this image, Hochul plans a statewide tour over the next two weeks, emphasizing themes of affordability and public safety—issues that proved pivotal in Donald Trump’s previous campaigns against Democrats. Simultaneously, her political supporters are contemplating a paid media campaign to bring her budget successes to the forefront, potentially through television ads and direct mailings.
“Amidst the chaos stemming from Washington, we have continued to deliver for New Yorkers. We’ve achieved significant progress, and I refuse to take that for granted,” Hochul proclaimed during her budget announcement.
Jacobs acknowledges the need for voters to connect Hochul with her achievements and is exploring a paid media strategy, although details about budget allocations or campaign structure remain unclear. “Voters are not actively seeking out this information; they have their own lives to lead,” Jacobs explained. “Sometimes, it doesn’t resonate. But a campaign-style effort tends to break through more effectively than just public appearances.”
As Hochul prepares for possible primary challenges from figures like Rep. Ritchie Torres and her former lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, rallying voter support around her popular policies is crucial. Additionally, Republicans are eyeing the governor’s race, emboldened by GOP candidate Lee Zeldin’s narrow loss three years ago.
Some Democrats contend that Hochul’s budget initiatives, particularly those targeting crime—an enduring concern for New York voters—could mitigate potential GOP criticism. “This is a prime opportunity to engage with voters and neutralize any talking points from her opponents,” noted Basil Smikle, a former state Democratic Party executive director.
Winning the New York governorship would be a major coup for Republicans in a state where Democrats have a two-to-one advantage. Despite holding a minority status in the state Legislature, GOP candidates are preparing to spotlight potential vulnerabilities, including Hochul’s endorsement of a payroll tax increase for large employers in the New York City area aimed at funding a $68 billion infrastructure plan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This tax hike could serve as a potent campaign weapon as Republicans gear up for the 2026 midterm elections, which are likely to serve as a referendum on Trump’s presidency.
Meanwhile, Hochul has yet to win over major media outlets, including the right-leaning New York Post, which has criticized her on crime and congestion pricing issues. Given the current landscape, some Republican leaders argue that popular provisions in the budget may not be sufficient to bolster her standing. “The underlying issues persist,” stated Republican state Sen. George Borrello. “New York continues to struggle with crime, affordability, and quality of life, which presents a significant challenge for a governor who has had ample opportunity to address them.”
To counter these anticipated attacks, Democrats must rally behind a governor who has spent much of her career outside the often unforgiving spotlight of New York City media. Hochul and state lawmakers engaged in extensive negotiations over the budget, which was delayed nearly a month past its April 1 deadline. Disagreements over penalties for masked criminals and changes to evidence handling during criminal cases created friction among Democrats. Ultimately, Hochul capitalized on her budgetary authority to break through the stalemate.
She even took her case directly to voters, framing complex bureaucratic issues surrounding evidence discovery as crucial to better protecting domestic violence victims. Notably, her anti-masking provision—introduced just days before the budget deadline—met resistance from influential Black and Hispanic lawmakers concerned about over-policing. Nevertheless, Hochul pushed for the measure, driven by Jewish Democrats’ fears of rising antisemitism linked to campus protests following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“We must be responsive to issues that resonate deeply with many New Yorkers, including members of the Jewish community who have faced harassment,” commented Democratic state Sen. James Skoufis.
Hochul is already embarking on her victory tour even before the budget bills are officially printed. She commenced her outreach at a YMCA and local prosecutor’s office, emphasizing child care funding and modifications to the state’s discovery laws. Additional events are planned to spotlight affordability and anti-crime measures included in the budget deal.
“This exemplifies government at its finest,” Hochul declared to reporters. “We can identify problems and devise solutions, and the crucial next step is to communicate our efforts to the public.”
Jason Beeferman contributed to this report.
