Pure sunt to a resolution duelly adapted in each of the houses of legislature, the senate and the assembly of the stitt of new york are met in joint session for the purpose of receiving the annual message to the legislature from the governor of the state of new york. Ladies and gentlemen, i am proud and honored to present the 57th governor to the state of new york, kathy hochul. [applause] [applause] gov. hochul thank you and good afternoon. Its an honor to be back in this Hallowed Chamber a place since 1879, civicmind new yorkers have wrestled from everything to the great deinteresting to world wars to the every day issues that matter most to the millions of people who call new york our home. Generations are past lead verse shared the so william responsibility of representing their citizens and im honored to be joined by the leaders of today. First, let me thank our Lieutenant GovernorAntonio Delgado, hes done an amazing job. So proud to have him at my side i want to thank Senior Pastor for the invocation and i look forward to seeing you perhaps in church. Save me a see state comptrollers, tom denaply, state attorney general tish james, Assembly Speaker you can applaud any one of if you want. [cheers and applause] im going back to the majority leader, Andrea Stewart cozens. [cheers and applause] were going to have to look after women. Speaking of powerful women, majority leaders crystal people stokes. The Senate Minority leader, will barkley, the esteemed judges of the new york court of appeals. [applause] new york city mayor eric adams. Mayors and county executives from all across the state and were also joined yes, you can applaud, former governors David Patterson and george pataki. [applause] also many representatives from labor, distinguished guest and clergy leaders including dr. A. R. Bernard who is our president of the interfaith counsel. Members of my cabinet and council liz fein. And special tribute to the visionary behind many of our ideas, michael asher. [applause] but today is not about us. Its about the 20 million hard working new yorkers we are privileged to represent. And what we can deliver for them in the year ahead. Ive listened as new yorkers have told me about the challenges they face and the dreams they hold. And with them in mind i proudly share my vision for 2024. [applause] the state of new york is strong. Stronger today than when i became governor two years ago. Its healthier, safer, more affordable. Weve traversed some rocky terrain. And theres still some switchbacks before we reach the summit. Across our nation and our state people worry that a safe and affordable life is somehow out of reach while shootings and murders have declined by double digits, safety at the grocery store, the synagogue or the subway is always top of mind. And ive always made great stride to take guns off the streets. Too many parents are still fearful as their children get on the bus each morning and too often troubled individuals are discharged from the hospital without receiving the care they need and go on to commit violent acts. The potential of a crime no matter how serious is causing anxiety for our residents. And on top of that, theyre also frustrated with the right cost of living rising cost of living. Inflation is down 9. 1 to 3. 1 over the last 18 months. Paychecks are finally growing, and yet, our neighbors are struggling to make a dollar go further. And sadly, no matter how hard they work, they fear theyll never be as successful or get as far as their own parents did. These are the reasons that i fight every day to give new yorkers a better shot at a better life. And since take office, ive worked with this legislature to create more than 600,000 jobs and reduce unemployment from 7. 4 to 4 . And we dead that while holding the line across taxes across the bored. Inin fact, we cut them for the middleclass. We boosted k12 education by 5 5. 3 billion an extraordinary 18 increase. And we fully funded Foundation Aid for the very first time in history. [applause] we increased healthcare funding by 20 to more than 112 billion. And we gave 1. 3 billion in raises that are hard working Home Healthcare aid and bonuses for healthcare workers because they deserved it. And just the morning as a result of our hard work with President Biden and his administration, well be able to invest over 6 billion in federal funds into our Healthcare System over the next three years. [applause] this funding will help support our safety net hospitals, address Healthcare Workforce shortages, strengthen access to primary and behavorial healthcare, all important primaries all of us. And on top of that over the last two years, we invested over 7 billion in childcare. [applause] at the sam time we saved the m. T. A. From a looming fiscal cliff that threatened an economy of an entire region while requiredship grew by 435 million new riders. [applause] and no administration and no legislature ever before has invested more money faster into our roads and bridges and Public Infrastructure to rebuild our state. And im grateful grateful for your continued partnership and for the majority leader Andrew Stewart cozens and our speaker. [applause] thank you thank you to both of you. Thank you. Now, weve worked hard to restore integrity and trust in government. And heres what i know, youll always see more head liens and a happenedful of things we disagree. But the truth is, we are united. United in our commitment to the people of this state. And together weve achieved so much. But standing here and reciting accomplishments is not what people want from their leaders. We will continue to fight the right fights on their behalf and relentlessly pursue common sense ideas that lift up the people of this great state. Joining us today is quinton colon roosevelt. Quentin is the great, great, great grandson of Teddy Roosevelt who took the oath of office exactly 125 years ago in a place called buffalo. At just 19 years old, quentin is the youngest elected official in our nations capitol. Quentin, stand up. Thank you. [applause] a great future. Public service runs in his veins and we expect even more. But like quinn turns i too was inspired by the 33rd governor of new york. In fact, i promise to always strive valiantly on behalf of new yorkers and be the woman in the arena. And thats exactly what weve done. [applause] thats why im willing to take on the stubborn persistent crime like retail theft and crimes. We have to restructure our Mental Health so people get help they need. And well be protecting your hardearned money from bad actors and predatory lenders. At the same time, well continue to build new york to a place that welcomes businesses, new and existing, small and large, familyowned and publically traded. Well keep driving the long delayed Public Transit projects like the Second Avenue subway extension, the enter borrow express, the kensington expressway, creating thousands of union paying jobs so our works can support their families, and well fight for minimum wage workers because no one should labor 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line. [applause] and well fight for our farmers represent thissed by extreme weather and work force shortages. Well fight for seniors trying to make ends meet on a fixed income. Well fight for women in motherhood and their careers. Well fight for children beginning in their life. And in so doing biel pursue the common good with common sense by seeking common ground. [applause] as we uphold these commitments, understand this, we cannot spend money we do not have. Pandemic funds from washington have dried up. Inflation didnt just hit families, it hit State Government operations as well. So its up to all of us to make the hard yet necessary decisions and use taxpayer dollars creatively and responsibly. Ill discuss how ill tackle some of the toughest fiscal issues like caring for migrants and a structural deficit in next weeks budget speech. But right now, lets talk about how we provide a better life for new yorkers. Starting the initiatives we already announced since the new year. Last year, infant deaths were up for the first time in 20 years. And black and brown women remain three to four times more likely to die in childbirth. I wont let this continue on my watch. We must insure moms have healthy pregnancies. I want to make new york the first state in the nation to offer prenatal leave. We must protect women from unnecessary surgery that is put them at risk. And were also giving children the resources they need to live full, healthy, successful lives. And that starts with teaching them how to read. I say its time to get rid of debunked curriculums and get back to basics using phonics and proven technique that is work. Were also promoting physical health and wellbeing by building pools in underserved areas and teaching people to swim. [applause] and im proud that lieutenant government Antonio Delgado only a newly created office of service in civic engagement, he and his team will connect new yorkers who want to give back especially young people to Service Opportunities all across the state. This is just the start of our comprehensive agenda for new york in 2024. Well protect the environment by planting 25 million trees, fund resiliency efforts and expand solar access and make sure our state meets our bolder mission targets. [applause] well pro mode jobs in agra culture and invest in familyowned farms. Well continue new yorkers to clear opportunities and Fund Research into Rare Diseases like a. L. S. That robs millions like my own mother of their vitality while we address countless challenges with 204, yes, 204 policy initiatives in our 2024 stay of the state book, which im sure will find your ways to your night stands this evening [laughter] today im going to focus on a few key items from our agenda fighting crime, fix our Mental Health system, and protecting new yorkers hardearned money. Lets talk [applause] lets talk about crime. If government can keep their citizens safe, then nothing else matters. Last year, we reduced gun violence bringing shootings down by a third all across the statement murders are down 21 in new york city. 38 upstate. We made key revisions to make new york safer. We enacted gun control legislation thats a model for the rest of the nation. But certain types of crime have been stubbornly high. New yorkers see it every day. Graffiti scrawled outside a synagogue, baby formula locked behind plastic panels, a couples argument turns violent and punctuated by gun shots. And on the subway, people suffering a mental breakdown or an overdose. Episodes like these can cause an atmosphere of anxiety in our communities. But our success in driving down gun violence proves that targeted strategies do work and that changing trends is indeed possible. So today, were unveiling a series of crimefighting tactics alongside an error defining Mental Health initiative so new yorkers can live free from chaos and disorder and focus on the things in life that matter most. First, we must insure everyone is safe at home by protecting them from Domestic Violence. Now, the random attacks get tall press coverage but new yorkers are much more likely to be heard by someone they know. And 1 3 of assaults the attacker and the victim have a prior relationship. Our system fails too many survivors. In new york city alone 84 of Domestic Violence arrests end with dismissals. Think about that. Before last year too many abusers had access to guns so we would change the law. And now but now, the Supreme Court is poised to possibly overturn a law that keeps guns away from the abusers. So we need to strengthen protections and its more urgent now than ever before. You may have heard me talk about my mother group in a home where Domestic Violence was routine. She dedicated her life to survivors to break the cycle of trauma. And we know that prosecuting violent abusers is the best way to protect survivors. Take the story of elizabeth beavhard who is here with us today. Elizabeth, please stand. [applause] elizabeth was right across the river in troy. Not long ago she was trapped in an abusive relationship. She and her pet suffered regular abuse at the hands of her exboyfriend. He killed one of her kit tense. Maimed another and then one day her life changed. A veterinarian told her about unity house. A nonprofit that helps survivors of Domestic Violence. Eventually she met russ clement. Detective clement . [applause] thank you. Thank you. He helped elizabeth find strength to pursue justice and file charges. He assisted with police reportses and reports and stood by her side at the garage jury. Elizabeth has fled her abuser and is rebelled her life. Lets give her a right now of applause. [applause] i want to hear more hopeful stories like this. And thats why were dedicating 2 to million so district dont gather evidence to prosecute abusers and take their guns away. [applause] and were committing more funding so police can protect those who are at risk of abuse and clamp down on repeat offenders. Because every survivor can break the chain of violence and build a new life. Across our nation and our state retail theft has surged creating fear among the customers and the workers. Thieves braisingly pear items off the shelves and menace employees. Owners go broke replace broken windows and stolen goods driving many out of business. These attacks are nothing more than a breakdown of the social order. I say no more. The chaos must end. [applause] for the very first time were getting a joint operation along with a brandnew state police unit to crack down on organized retail them as i said well use this approach with illegal guns. And im also proposing to help those owners with a tax credit to help them cover the additional security cost. And ill work with the legislature to strengthen penalties for assaulting a retail worker or fostering the sale of stolen goods online. Lets get it done. [applause] lets back our businesses. Back our business and the workers with the full force of the law and punish those who think they can break the rules impunity. And this extends to the Illegal Cannabis vendor who is flagrantly broke our laws prosecute those who sell to mine ors and padlock their doors faster. [applause] finally, regarding crime i want to talk about hate crimes. Particularly the rising tide of antisemitism and islamophobia. Since this horrific attacks by hamas against israel on october 7th, theres been roughly a 95 increase in hate crimes against jewish residents of new york city. And were seeing a surge of anticipate muslim hate crimes as well. Our neighbors are being target on playgrounds and synagogues and mox and on college campuses. And i will not rest until every jewish and muslim child feels safe going school or entering a house of worship. So we propose to make more than two dozen additional offenses from gang assault and graffiti, eligible for prosecution as hate crimes. This means enhanced liability sentences and ultimately, it means were standing up for whats right. Well protect the people of this state. Well carry this fight until every new yorker feels safe at home, at prayer and at work. No matter how much we spend on Law Enforcement or expand their powers, new yorkers will not be able to let their guard down until we fix our Mental Health system. [applause] because heres the truth. From brooklyn to buffalo many new yorkers are suffering. Mental illness doesnt discriminate. It touches the rich and the poor. Reaches into schools and Senior Citizens with the Senior Centers with the same severity. Even our First Responders are suffering. Theyre experiences on the job expose them to horrific circumstances. And the suicide rates among Law Enforcement are about 60 higher than the rest of the population. And too often the people involved in violent incidence on our streets are victims themselves. Victims of a system that file provide them the treatment they need. Highquality care must be wildly available accessible and affordable. [applause] yet for decades, the Mental Health system deprioritized and defunded. Over the 10 years before i took office, funding for Mental Health grew only by 2 . Not etch keeping up with inflation. The result too few beds and failing support systems combine this with pandemic isolation, opioid addiction and the toxic algorithms that govern social media. Its no wonder why we have such a serious problem on our hands. Make no mistake, this is the defining challenge of our time. And thats why my Administration Work in partnership with this legislature has already made unprecedented investments and Mental Healthcare, a 33 increase just over the last two years. And we boosted funding by 1 billion last year alone. Now, heres what this allows us to do. Target hundreds of millions of dollars toward outpatient based services, create more than 3500 Housing Units for people suffering from mental illness. Increase inpatient psychiatric beds by 1,000 and increase measures to help our children including millions of suicide prevention, eating disorder care and school based Mental Health disorder clinics. Focus on our kids is everything. Its critical because their our most Precious Resource and investing in