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Kathy Hochul
27.3%
#49 of 50

Kathy Hochul

New York D | Succeeded Cuomo Aug 2021, elected 2022
2021-08-24Took Office 4 yrs, 10 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 452 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

209/300
70%

Section B: State Outcomes

309/975
32%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

-66 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 209/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

On-time budget submission
FY2025 ($233B) and FY2026 ($252B) executive budgets submitted on schedule per Art. VII. FY2027 ($260B) proposed Jan 2026. All enacted on or near April 1 deadline. Budgets grew 4.5% annually — largest state budgets in US history. UPDATE (Apr 2026): 5th consecutive year New York failed to pass an on-time budget. FY 2026 budget due April 1, extended to at least April 14.
NY Governor's Office Budget Records; NY Constitution Art. VII; NY DOB Financial Plan; WAMC (Apr 3, 2026)
1
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
Cumulative three-year gap through SFY2029 projected at $34.3B — up $7B from Jan 2025 estimate per Comptroller DiNapoli. Wall Street tax receipts volatile. Revenue projections revised downward repeatedly as economic uncertainty grew. FY2025 revenue came in $2.3B below forecast. CBC called structural imbalance exceeding $20B.
NY DOB Financial Plan FY2026; Citizens Budget Commission; Comptroller Press Release Aug 2025
0
Rainy day fund management
Drew $500M from reserves for migrant crisis emergency spending. State reserves totaled ~$19.4B (FY2024) but being depleted by structural gaps. Rainy day fund contributions paused as $34.3B cumulative gap loomed. Reserves adequate for now but trajectory concerning given spending growth outpacing revenue.
NY State Comptroller Reports; NY DOB Financial Plan FY2026
1
State credit rating trajectory
S&P AA+ (since 2016), Moody's Aa1 (since Apr 2022), Fitch AA+ — all stable outlook. No downgrades under Hochul. However, Moody's cited $34.3B cumulative gap and Medicaid cost growth as risks. Ratings hold due to large diversified economy ($2T+ GDP) and healthy liquidity, but structural imbalance threatens long-term trajectory.
S&P Global Ratings; Moody's — State of New York; Fitch Ratings; NY DOB investor page
2
Pension funding ratio trajectory
NYSLRS funded ratio 93.2% (Mar 2024), 92.2% (Mar 2025) — among best-funded in nation. Common Retirement Fund valued at $272.8B (Mar 2025), 5.84% return. Managed by Comptroller DiNapoli independently. Serves 1.2M members (735K active/former employees, 525K retirees). Assumed rate of return 5.9%. State employer contributions made on schedule.
NYSLRS ACFR 2025; Comptroller Press Releases Sep 2024, Jun 2025
2
Debt per capita trajectory
State-Supported debt per capita $2,841 (SFY2023), ranked 12th nationally in long-term debt at $7,615/capita. Total state debt ~$180B (FY2024). State-Supported debt projected to grow from $55.9B to $86.5B over 5 years — a 55% increase ($30.6B). Borrowing for capital projects, $4.2B Environmental Bond Act, and emergency migrant spending all increasing debt load.
NY State Comptroller 2023 FCR Debt Report; Reason Foundation 2025; Census State Government Finances
1
CAFR/ACFR published on time
ACFR published within statutory timeline by Comptroller DiNapoli's office. FY2024 ACFR released within 4-month charter requirement. State financial reporting meets GAAP standards. Governor's executive branch cooperates with Comptroller on financial data. No publication delays documented.
NY State Comptroller ACFR Records; NY City Charter §93(l)
2
Audit findings — material weaknesses
No major material weaknesses in state-level ACFR. Comptroller DiNapoli conducts audits independently of executive branch. Single Audit (federal compliance) completed without major findings. Comptroller's Nov 2022 UI fraud audit found $11B in pandemic-era losses but attributed to outdated DOL systems predating Hochul, not current management failures.
NY State Comptroller Audit Reports; Single Audit FY2024
3
Federal grant fund accounting
NY receives ~$80B+/year in federal funding (largest recipient state). IIJA infrastructure funds, Medicaid matching ($52B federal share FY2025), education grants all administered through standard channels. Single Audit completed without major questioned costs. FEMA disaster assistance for flooding events properly documented.
USASpending.gov; NY State Comptroller Single Audit; NY DOB
3
Anti-fraud controls — federal programs
MAJOR FAILURES: (1) Pandemic UI fraud — Comptroller found $11B in improper payments due to outdated DOL systems; 28.89% improper payment rate in SFY2021-22 including 17.59% fraud rate. (2) Migrant crisis — state committed $4.3B (SFY2023-27), NYC spent $9.2B+, with limited fraud controls on rapidly deployed emergency spending. (3) $637M COVID test contract to Digital Gadgets — campaign donor Charles Tebele contributed $300K+ to Hochul; NY paid 45% more than California for same tests; no-bid emergency procurement.
NY Comptroller UI Audit Nov 2022; NYC Comptroller Asylum Seeker Reports; AP/Times Union Digital Gadgets investigation
1
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT: Cumulative gap through SFY2029 at $34.3B per Comptroller — up $7B in months. Budget grew from $212B (FY2022) to $252B (FY2026) — 19% in 4 years. Medicaid alone consumes ~$96B/yr (state share $35.5B). Migrant crisis added $4.3B state costs. CBC structural imbalance exceeds $20B. Revenue dependent on volatile Wall Street taxes (capital gains, bonuses). Spending trajectory unsustainable without cuts or new revenue.
NY DOB Financial Plan FY2026; CBC 'Five Things' Report; Comptroller DiNapoli Aug 2025 press release
0
Capital budget execution rate
MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan: $68.4B proposed for subways, buses, railroads, bridges. Congestion pricing generates ~$550M/yr to support $15B in transit capital. Penn Station $7B renovation stalled — federal $96.7M grant application pending (initial $100M bid rejected). $4.2B Environmental Bond Act (approved Nov 2022) funding climate/infrastructure projects. Gateway tunnel project advancing. Capital execution rate adequate but major projects face delays.
MTA Capital Plan 2025-2029; NY DOB Capital Budget; Crain's NY Penn Station report
2
Vendor/contractor oversight
BILLS STADIUM: $850M public subsidy ($600M state, $250M Erie County) for $1.4B stadium — LARGEST direct NFL public subsidy in US history. 30-year deal includes $400M+ in maintenance pushing total public cost past $1.2B. 63% opposed (Siena). Economists called it 'boondoggle.' Husband's employer Delaware North holds $50M+ in state concession contracts and has Bills business ties. ALSO: $637M Digital Gadgets COVID test contract to campaign donor — no competitive bidding. Migrant spending oversight initially weak on $4.3B state commitment.
Gothamist; Siena Poll; CBC; Crain's; Read Sludge stadium investigation
1
Federal funding maximization
NY captures ~$80B+/yr in federal funding — largest recipient state. Secured IIJA infrastructure funding, $52B Medicaid federal match (FY2025). Fought for migrant crisis federal reimbursement — secured ~$104M FEMA Shelter and Services Program allocation but far short of $4.3B+ state costs. FEMA disaster assistance for flooding events secured. Standard maximization of formula and discretionary grants.
USASpending.gov; Census Federal Aid to States; FEMA SSP allocations; NY DOB
2
Program eligibility verification systems
Standard Medicaid/SNAP/TANF eligibility verification through OTDA and DOH. Pandemic-era continuous Medicaid enrollment unwound — NY disenrolled ~1.5M during PHE unwind but process was orderly. Migrant services eligibility verification minimal — state programs explicitly open regardless of immigration status with limited documentation requirements. No E-Verify mandate for state contractors or employers.
NY OTDA; NY DOH Program Integrity; CMS Medicaid Unwinding Data
3
Signature legislation enacted
Signed CCIA (Jul 2022, post-Bruen gun restrictions — parts struck down by courts). Signed bail reform modifications. $4.2B Environmental Bond Act enabled. Cannabis legalization rollout — 'disaster' per Hochul herself (Jan 2024). Housing Compact proposal gutted by legislature. Congestion pricing signed then paused then implemented at $9 (Jan 2025). Ethics Commission Reform Act (COELIG replaced JCOPE, Apr 2022). Mixed record — several signature initiatives failed or reversed.
NY Legislature Bill Tracking; Governor's Office; Hochul public statements Jan 2024
2
Veto override rate
No vetoes overridden during Hochul's tenure. Democrats hold supermajority in both chambers (42-21 Senate, 102-48 Assembly as of 2024). Legislative alignment makes veto overrides essentially impossible for opposition. Hochul has vetoed some bills but no overrides attempted.
NY Legislature Journal; Governor's Veto Records; NY Board of Elections 2022 results
3
Bipartisan bills signed
D supermajority (42-21 Senate, 102-48 Assembly) means most legislation passes without R support. CCIA gun restrictions, bail reform changes, cannabis laws — all party-line. $4.2B Environmental Bond Act had bipartisan voter support (Nov 2022 ballot). Housing Compact failed partly because suburban Democrats and all Republicans opposed it. Very limited cross-aisle legislative achievement.
NY Legislature Vote Records; Environmental Bond Act ballot results Nov 2022
1
Special sessions called
Called extraordinary session Jun 2022 post-Bruen to pass CCIA gun legislation within 8 days of Supreme Court ruling. No other special sessions required. Regular sessions handled budget and major legislation within normal Jan-Jun calendar. Migrant emergency managed through executive declarations rather than special legislative sessions.
NY Legislature Records; Governor's Office CCIA session call Jun 2022
2
Executive orders — legal challenges
CCIA (Jul 2022) gun restrictions struck down in part — 2nd Circuit blocked social media disclosure requirement, private property carry ban, and house of worship ban (Dec 2023). State agreed to permanently enjoin social media disclosure via settlement. SCOTUS denied cert (Apr 2025) — some provisions remain enjoined. COVID emergency orders (inherited from Cuomo) expired/rescinded. Congestion pricing survived Trump admin legal challenge — Hochul prevailed in federal court Jan 2025.
Antonyuk v. James (2d Cir. 2024); SCOTUS cert denial Apr 2025; Federal court congestion pricing ruling
2
Line-item veto usage
NY governor has line-item veto power under Art. IV §7 of state constitution. Hochul has used it selectively on budget appropriations but with D supermajority, vetoes are strategic rather than confrontational. No pattern of excessive or inappropriate use. Budget negotiations typically resolve disagreements before final passage.
NY Constitution Art. IV §7; Governor's Budget Actions; Legislature Records
3
Regulatory burden change
Significant regulatory expansion: CLCPA climate mandates (70% renewable electricity by 2030, 85% emission cuts by 2050), CCIA gun restrictions, congestion pricing $9/day toll on Manhattan drivers, proposed gas stove ban in new construction (later scaled back). Cannabis regulation — 2,000+ illicit shops emerged while only ~100 legal dispensaries opened. NY ranked 2nd worst for business regulatory climate (Tax Foundation 2024). Cap-and-invest carbon pricing program proposed.
NY DEC CLCPA implementation; Tax Foundation State Business Tax Climate 2024; OCM enforcement data
1
Budget negotiation success
FY2024 budget enacted Apr 2023 (on time). FY2025 ($233B) enacted with some delays. FY2026 ($252B) enacted near deadline. D supermajority makes passage easier but Housing Compact completely rejected by own party — legislature gutted Hochul's housing targets. Migrant crisis spending added mid-year budget pressure. Negotiations functional but governor's leverage limited when own caucus opposes key priorities.
NY Legislature Budget Records; Manhattan Institute Housing Compact analysis
2
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Signed popular Foundation Aid full funding ($34B+ education). Signed $4.2B Environmental Bond Act ballot measure (approved by voters Nov 2022). Ethics Commission Reform Act signed Apr 2022. BUT: Cannabis rollout widely viewed as failed. Housing Compact — popular concept but implementation rejected. Congestion pricing popular with transit advocates, unpopular with drivers — Hochul zigzagged. Bail reform modifications alienated both sides.
NY Legislature Records; Environmental Bond Act ballot results; Foundation Aid records
2
Legislative relationship
D supermajority should guarantee smooth relations but Hochul clashed repeatedly with own party. Assembly Speaker Heastie killed Housing Compact in 2023 — suburban Democrats refused mandatory housing targets. Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins backed bail reform pushback. Legislature rejected congestion pricing pause attempt. Cannabis rollout mismanaged despite legislative framework. Functional but Hochul lacks strong legislative alliance — seen as weak negotiator.
NY Legislature Records; City & State NY analysis; Manhattan Institute housing reports
2
Implementation of voter-approved measures
$4.2B Environmental Bond Act approved by voters Nov 2022 — implementation proceeding with DEC grants for climate resilience, water quality, land conservation. 35% minimum directed to disadvantaged communities per CLCPA mandate. No statewide ballot measures blocked or ignored. Standard implementation of voter-approved constitutional amendments.
NY State Board of Elections; DEC Environmental Bond Act implementation; CLCPA compliance
3
Task force follow-through
HOUSING COMPACT FAILURE: Proposed 3% housing growth mandate for NYC suburbs, 1% upstate — Assembly killed it entirely in 2023. Hochul abandoned mandatory targets by 2024. Replaced with voluntary $500M infrastructure grant fund (similar programs failed elsewhere). CANNABIS ROLLOUT: Hochul called it 'disaster' (Jan 2024) — 2,000+ illicit shops vs ~100 legal dispensaries 3 years after legalization. Cost state $500M+ in lost tax revenue. CONGESTION PRICING: chaotic promise-pause-implement sequence. Task force follow-through is a clear weakness.
Manhattan Institute housing analysis; OCM enforcement data; Hochul press statement Jan 2024
1
Policy reversals under pressure
CONGESTION PRICING FLIP-FLOP: Advocated for $15 toll for years. MTA board approved, scheduled Jun 30 2024 launch. Hochul paused it indefinitely on Jun 5 2024 — 25 days before start — citing cost-of-living concerns. Nov 14 2024 (week after election): announced reimplementation at $9 daytime/$2.50 night — 40% below original. Launched Jan 5 2025. MTA lost months of revenue. Trump admin tried to block — Hochul prevailed in federal court. One-year results: traffic down 26%, $518M revenue collected, $15B capital program funded. But the pause-unpause damaged credibility profoundly.
MTA Board records; Governor's press releases Jun 2024, Nov 2024; CBS NY timeline; Federal court ruling Jan 2025
0
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin — Hochul's FIRST major appointment (Aug 2021) — indicted Apr 12 2022 on 5 federal counts: bribery (soliciting campaign contributions from developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for $50K state grant to Migdol's nonprofit). Benjamin resigned same day. Trial judge dismissed bribery counts (Dec 2022) for failing to allege explicit quid pro quo. 2nd Circuit reinstated charges (Mar 2024). Charges finally dropped Jan 2025 after key witness Migdol died (Feb 2024). Severely damaged Hochul's 'new era of ethics' promise.
US v. Benjamin, 21-CR-706 (SDNY); 2d Cir. opinion Mar 2024; NBC NY Jan 2025
1
Agency head vacancy rate
Replaced nearly all of Cuomo's top staff and agency heads within first 6 months. Appointed Antonio Delgado as replacement Lt. Gov. (May 2022) after Benjamin resignation. COELIG (new ethics commission) struggled to seat quorum — took months to get 6 of 11 commissioners confirmed. Office of Cannabis Management leadership changed after rollout failure. Key positions filled but transition from Cuomo created initial instability.
Governor's Office Appointment Records; COELIG formation timeline Sep 2022
2
State employee turnover
Post-Cuomo transition produced significant senior-level turnover as Hochul replaced Cuomo loyalists. State workforce of ~130K+ employees — rank-and-file turnover within normal range. CSEA and PEF unions negotiated new contracts under Hochul. No mass layoffs or hiring freezes. State workforce pay raises agreed to in collective bargaining. No toxic workplace allegations against Hochul personally — sharp contrast to Cuomo era.
NY Civil Service Department; CSEA/PEF contract records; NY workforce data
3
Diversity of appointments
First female governor of New York. Cabinet and senior staff reflect demographic diversity. Appointed Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (first Afro-Latino in role). Judicial appointments include diverse nominees to Court of Appeals. Appointed diverse agency heads across state government. Named women to several historically male-held positions. Strong on diversity metrics.
Governor's Office Records; Court of Appeals nominations; NY media coverage
3
Judicial appointment quality
Court of Appeals appointments vetted by Commission on Judicial Nomination — nominees rated qualified. Appointed Chief Judge Rowan Wilson (2023) — first Black chief judge of NY's highest court. Lower court appointments generally within mainstream legal qualifications. No judicial appointment controversies or unqualified nominees generating public opposition.
NY State Commission on Judicial Nomination; Court of Appeals records
2
State workforce pay competitiveness
CSEA/PEF union contracts provide annual raises but NY cost of living (RPP 118-125 for NYC metro) erodes competitiveness. State minimum wage $16/hr (NYC), $15/hr elsewhere — above federal. State workforce competes with private sector in expensive NYC market. Recruitment challenges for IT, healthcare, and engineering positions. Pay compression between entry-level and senior positions noted. Housing costs ($3,500 median rent NYC) make state employment difficult for lower-paid workers.
NY Civil Service; BLS OES; BEA RPP data; CSEA/PEF contract terms
2
Whistleblower protection
No documented whistleblower retaliation cases under Hochul. Marked improvement from Cuomo era where whistleblower complaints were a recurring issue. NY Civil Service Law §75-b protections in place. COELIG (replaced JCOPE Jul 2022) handles whistleblower-related ethics complaints. No known suppression of internal dissent or retaliation against state employees raising concerns.
NY Civil Service Law §75-b; COELIG Records; NY IG Reports
3
Inspector General independence
Comptroller DiNapoli (elected independently) operates without interference — published critical $34.3B gap report, UI fraud audit ($11B), migrant spending reports. State IG conducts investigations independently. COELIG replaced JCOPE (Jul 2022) with enhanced independence — 11 commissioners nominated by multiple branches, vetted by 15 law school deans (IRC). No documented attempts by Hochul to interfere with oversight bodies, a clear improvement from Cuomo era.
NY State IG; Comptroller press releases; COELIG enabling legislation; Ethics Commission Reform Act 2022
2
State employee morale
Significant improvement from Cuomo era — no sexual harassment, bullying, or toxic workplace allegations against Hochul. Staff describe a more collaborative leadership style. CSEA/PEF union relations functional. State employee morale boosted by new contract agreements and absence of Cuomo-era workplace toxicity. However, migrant crisis overwhelmed some agency staff (OTDA, OCFS) and created burnout concerns.
NY Civil Service Employee Data; CSEA/PEF statements; NY media coverage
2
Nepotism/cronyism
SIGNIFICANT CONFLICT PERCEPTION: Husband William Hochul Jr. is SVP and General Counsel at Delaware North — which holds ~$50M in state concession contracts (state parks, Thruway rest stops, $10.2M Niagara Falls State Park contract since 2002). Delaware North also operates two upstate casinos regulated by state Gaming Commission. Governor controls Gaming Commission, Thruway Authority, and Parks — all affect Delaware North revenue. Hochul signed written recusal 'to greatest extent permitted by law' but watchdogs say conflict persists as long as husband is employed there. $850M Bills stadium deal adds further conflict layer — Delaware North has business ties to Bills organization.
Crain's NY; Buffalo News; Public Accountability Initiative; COELIG Financial Disclosures; Governor's recusal letter Oct 2021
1
Senior staff criminal charges
Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin — 5-count federal indictment (bribery, honest services wire fraud, falsification of records) Apr 12 2022. Alleged $50K state grant directed to developer Migdol's nonprofit in exchange for campaign contributions. Benjamin resigned same day as indictment. Charges dismissed Dec 2022, reinstated by 2nd Circuit Mar 2024, dropped Jan 2025 after Migdol's death. Hochul vetted Benjamin inadequately — his state senate fundraising practices were publicly known. First major appointment, worst possible outcome.
US v. Benjamin, 21-CR-706; 2d Cir. Mar 2024; NBC NY Jan 2025; The City NYC reporting
1
Agency performance accountability
Mixed agency performance. OTDA overwhelmed by migrant crisis — 220K+ entered NYC shelter system. Office of Cannabis Management leadership changed after rollout failure (2,000+ illicit shops vs ~100 legal). DOL's outdated UI system led to $11B in pandemic fraud. MTA performance improved under congestion pricing (subway crime down 26% after National Guard deployment Mar 2024). Environmental Bond Act ($4.2B) implementation proceeding. Agency accountability uneven — some agencies performing well, others struggling with crisis management.
NY Comptroller Performance Audits; OTDA migrant reports; OCM data; MTA performance reports
3
Disaster declaration timeliness
Timely emergency declarations: Dec 2022 Buffalo blizzard (declared statewide emergency, deployed 400+ National Guard). Sep 2023 NYC flooding. Migrant emergency declaration Oct 2022. Federal disaster declarations secured for Buffalo blizzard (Biden approved within 48 hours). Mar 2024 NYC subway safety emergency — deployed 750 National Guard + 250 state/MTA police. Declarations issued promptly across events.
NY DHSES Emergency Records; FEMA disaster declarations; Governor's press releases
2
FEMA Public Assistance secured
FEMA PA secured for Dec 2022 Buffalo blizzard (federal emergency declaration approved by Biden). FEMA assistance for Sep 2023 NYC flooding event. FEMA Shelter and Services Program (SSP) allocation for migrant crisis — ~$104M secured but fraction of $4.3B+ state costs. Standard FEMA Individual Assistance secured for qualifying events. NY receives proportionate federal disaster aid given population and exposure.
FEMA PA Records — New York; FEMA SSP allocations; Presidential disaster declarations
2
Emergency reserve adequacy
State reserves totaled ~$19.4B (FY2024) but $500M drawn for migrant crisis emergency spending. State committed $4.3B total for asylum seekers (SFY2023-27) with $2.62B spent through Jan 2026. Reserves adequate for single-event emergencies but structural $34.3B cumulative gap threatens long-term reserve health. Rainy day fund contributions paused as spending growth outpaces revenue.
NY State Comptroller; NY DOB Financial Plan; NYC Comptroller migrant spending tracker
2
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
BUFFALO BLIZZARD Dec 2022: 47 deaths in Western NY during 'blizzard of the century' — people stranded outside, hypothermia in homes without power, delayed EMS response. 100K+ lost power. Criticism of Erie County preparation but state response (400+ National Guard deployed) was timely. Sep 2023 NYC flooding killed 2. No mass-casualty events from state infrastructure failure. Buffalo deaths largely attributable to unprecedented storm severity rather than state negligence, though preparedness questions raised.
NY DHSES; NWS; NPR; CNN reporting Dec 2022; Erie County death reports
2
Post-disaster recovery
Buffalo blizzard Dec 2022 — recovery operations cleared roads within days, power restored within a week for most. FEMA Individual Assistance and Public Assistance secured. Sep 2023 NYC flooding — pumping operations, subway service restored within 24-48 hours. Post-Hurricane Ida (Sep 2021, shortly after Hochul took office) — state invested in infrastructure hardening, improved subway flood prevention. Recovery operations adequate across events.
FEMA PA Records; NY DHSES; MTA flood prevention upgrades; Governor's post-Ida directives
3
Public health emergency response
COVID winding down when Hochul took office Aug 2021. Managed transition out of emergency — vaccine rollout continued, mask mandates phased out. Mpox response 2022 — NY among first states to secure vaccines. Migrant health needs strained NYC public hospitals (H+H system) — 220K+ migrants needed healthcare, mental health, and prenatal services. State-funded Medicaid expansion for undocumented seniors 65+ ($230M/yr, launched Jan 2024). Mental health crisis elevated — opioid overdose deaths remain high. No catastrophic public health failures.
NY DOH; NYC DOHMH; CDC COVID/Mpox data; State Medicaid expansion records
3
Infrastructure failure prevention
No major infrastructure failures causing casualties under Hochul. MTA subway service maintained despite aging system — $68.4B capital plan (2025-2029) proposed. Post-Ida subway flood prevention improved. NY bridges aging (FHWA data) but no collapses. Thruway system maintained. Broadband expansion ongoing upstate. $4.2B Environmental Bond Act includes flood resilience and climate infrastructure hardening. Penn Station renovation stalled but no safety-critical infrastructure failures documented.
NY DOT; MTA Capital Plan; FHWA NBI; Environmental Bond Act implementation
3
National Guard deployment appropriateness
Deployed 750 National Guard + 250 state/MTA police to NYC subway system Mar 2024 after surge in subway crime. Added 250 more troops later. Results: subway crime down 26%, weekly crimes dropped from 50 to 29 average. NYC had lowest murders and shootings in 4 decades (Aug 2024). Also deployed 400+ Guard for Buffalo blizzard Dec 2022. Subway deployment controversial (civil liberties concerns, bag checks) but no incidents of inappropriate force or abuse. Guard members praised for professionalism.
NY DMNA Records; US Army article; Governor's Five-Point Plan Mar 2024; NYPD CompStat data
2
Emergency communication
Effective emergency communications during Buffalo blizzard Dec 2022 — press conferences, travel bans, National Guard coordination communicated clearly. NYC flooding Sep 2023 — flash flood warnings and subway alerts issued. Migrant crisis communications mixed — Hochul initially downplayed costs before acknowledging scale. Congestion pricing announcements were chaotic (pause/unpause). NY Alert system and DHSES coordination functional for natural disasters.
NY DHSES; Governor's Office; NY Alert system; media coverage Dec 2022
3
Interagency coordination
Migrant crisis: state-city coordination strained. Mayor Adams accused Hochul of underfunding city's migrant costs — NYC spent $9.2B+ while state committed $4.3B (SFY2023-27), with $3.25B directed to NYC. OTDA, DOH, OCFS all involved in migrant services. State-city tensions over shelter site locations, cost sharing, and federal reimbursement advocacy. Buffalo blizzard coordination between state DHSES, Erie County, and National Guard functioned well. Subway safety deployment required MTA-NYPD-National Guard coordination — effective.
NY OTDA; NYC Mayor's Office; NYC Comptroller migrant reports; DHSES after-action
2
Pandemic response metrics
Hochul took office Aug 24 2021 during Delta wave. Managed Omicron surge (winter 2021-22) without new lockdowns. Ended state indoor mask mandate Feb 2022. Phased out COVID emergency declarations. Inherited Cuomo's nursing home death count controversy but was not implicated. NY COVID death rate ultimately middle-of-pack nationally. Vaccine uptake strong — 80%+ of adults vaccinated. Testing infrastructure maintained. Pandemic-era UI fraud ($11B) a legacy systems issue. No major Hochul-specific pandemic failures.
CDC COVID Data Tracker — New York; NY DOH vaccination data; Comptroller UI audit Nov 2022
2
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
$4.2B Environmental Bond Act (approved Nov 2022) includes flood resilience, stormwater infrastructure, coastal protection. Post-Ida subway flood gates and drainage upgrades reduced repeat flooding. DHSES emergency preparedness plans updated. National Guard readiness maintained — 400+ deployed for Buffalo blizzard, 750+ for subway safety. Climate-related severe weather increasing in frequency — NY investing in resilience infrastructure. Standard emergency management preparedness overall.
NY DHSES
2
FOIA/open records compliance
Promised 'new era of transparency' after Cuomo. FOIL compliance improved — Reinvent Albany 2025 report found some state agencies responsive but others (DOT) failed to provide FOIL logs for 6+ months. NYS has 20-business-day response requirement per Public Officers Law §89. No systematic FOIL suppression documented but response quality varies by agency. Governor's office generally responsive to media FOIL requests compared to Cuomo era.
NY Committee on Open Government; Reinvent Albany FOIL Report Jun 2025; Public Officers Law §89
3
Governor's schedule availability
Public schedule posted — significant improvement from Cuomo who was notoriously secretive. Hochul's daily schedule published on governor.ny.gov. Regular press conferences held (multiple per week). Travel schedule across state documented. However, some private meetings with donors and lobbyists not fully reflected in public schedule — standard for most governors but notable given transparency promises.
Governor's Office Website (governor.ny.gov); NY media analysis
2
Campaign finance compliance
No formal campaign finance violations. Raised $37M+ for 2022 campaign — record for NY gubernatorial race. $637M Digital Gadgets contract to donor Charles Tebele (family contributed $300K+) raised pay-to-play concerns but no formal violation found. Real estate, gaming, and healthcare industries major donors — overlap with state-regulated industries. Campaign finance filings current and compliant with NY Board of Elections requirements.
NY State Board of Elections Campaign Finance Records; AP Digital Gadgets investigation; Campaign finance data
3
Financial disclosure
Annual financial disclosures filed with COELIG. Husband William Hochul's Delaware North employment ($50M+ in state contracts) disclosed. Written recusal signed Oct 2021 for Delaware North matters. Income from Delaware North disclosed in filings. However, Delaware North's extensive state business (concessions at state parks, Niagara Falls, Thruway rest stops, two casinos) creates ongoing disclosure complexity. Disclosures technically compliant but watchdogs question adequacy.
NY COELIG Financial Disclosures; Governor's recusal letter Oct 2021; Public Accountability Initiative
2
Open meetings compliance
No documented Open Meetings Law violations by executive branch under Hochul. State agencies generally compliant with OML requirements. COELIG (ethics commission) meetings open to public per enabling legislation. MTA board meetings public. Legislature's executive session practices not under governor's control. Improvement from Cuomo era where back-room deal complaints were chronic.
NY Committee on Open Government; OML compliance records
3
Open data portal
NY Open Data portal (data.ny.gov) maintained with 4,300+ datasets. Regular updates across agencies. Budget data, health data, transportation data available. Portal maintained since 2013 — Hochul continued and expanded it. Some gaps in timeliness of migrant-related data and cannabis enforcement data. Overall a functional open data infrastructure compared to most states.
data.ny.gov; Open Data NY statistics
2
Budget transparency
Executive Budget published online at budget.ny.gov with detailed financial plans, agency spending breakdowns, and multi-year projections. FY2026 ($252B) and FY2027 ($260B) budgets posted with full documentation. Comptroller DiNapoli publishes independent analysis and gap projections ($34.3B cumulative). Citizens Budget Commission provides additional independent scrutiny. Budget transparency infrastructure adequate but budget complexity makes true spending visibility difficult for public.
NY DOB Budget Division (budget.ny.gov); Comptroller's independent reports; CBC analysis
2
Lobbying disclosure
COELIG (replaced JCOPE Jul 2022) administers lobbying disclosure. Ethics Commission Reform Act 2022 enhanced restrictions — commissioners barred from political contributions. Lobbying activity filings publicly searchable. Real estate, healthcare, gaming industries heavily represented in lobbying NY state government. COELIG had slow start — took months to achieve quorum of commissioners. Standard lobbying disclosure framework now operational.
NY COELIG Lobbying Records; Ethics Commission Reform Act 2022; Lobbying Activity Database
3
IG report publication
Comptroller DiNapoli publishes critical reports freely — $34.3B gap analysis (Aug 2025), UI fraud audit ($11B, Nov 2022), migrant spending tracker, MTA capital plan review. State IG investigations published. No documented suppression of oversight reports by Hochul. Comptroller's independence (elected office) provides structural protection. COELIG investigations and enforcement actions publicly documented per enabling legislation.
NY State IG Reports; Comptroller press releases and audit reports; COELIG records
2
Legislative audit cooperation
Executive branch cooperates with Comptroller DiNapoli's audit authority. Comptroller published critical UI fraud audit ($11B), migrant spending reports, and $34.3B budget gap analysis without obstruction. No documented refusal to provide audit access or data. Legislature's own oversight committees (budget, ethics) receive executive branch cooperation. Standard cooperative posture — no Cuomo-era stonewalling.
NY State Comptroller Audit Reports; Legislative committee records
3
Press conference accessibility
Regular press conferences — multiple per week, often at event announcements. Takes reporter questions (contrast to Cuomo who tightly controlled media access). Press availability at Buffalo blizzard response, subway safety deployment, congestion pricing announcements, budget rollouts. However, some criticism of scripted appearances and limited follow-up question time. Overall far more accessible to press than predecessor.
Governor's Office Media Schedule; NY press corps coverage; Capitol Pressroom
2
State contract transparency
BILLS STADIUM: $850M public subsidy ($1.2B+ over 30 years) pushed through in budget without standalone transparency process. Husband's employer Delaware North holds $50M+ in state contracts and Bills business ties — no independent ethics review of conflict. $637M Digital Gadgets COVID test contract awarded via no-bid emergency procurement to campaign donor family ($300K+ contributions). Migrant emergency spending ($4.3B state commitment) deployed under emergency declarations bypassing normal procurement. Comptroller's standard contract review limited by emergency waivers.
NY Comptroller Contract Reviews; Gotham Gazette; Gothamist; Read Sludge stadium investigation
1
Court order compliance
Prevailed in congestion pricing federal court challenge against Trump administration (Jan 2025). Complied with 2nd Circuit CCIA ruling — agreed to permanently enjoin social media disclosure requirement. SCOTUS denied cert in Antonyuk v. James (Apr 2025) — state implementing remaining valid CCIA provisions. No documented defiance of court orders. AG Letitia James handles state litigation independently. Standard compliance posture with federal and state court orders.
Federal court congestion pricing ruling Jan 2025; Antonyuk v. James (2d Cir.); SCOTUS cert denial Apr 2025
3
Personal criminal charges
No criminal charges or investigations targeting Hochul personally. $637M Digital Gadgets contract to donor raised pay-to-play concerns but no criminal referral. AG Letitia James has not opened any investigation. Federal prosecutors have not targeted Hochul. Clean personal criminal record. Husband's Delaware North conflict generates ethics questions but not criminal exposure.
Court Records; DOJ; NY AG Office records
3
Ethics complaints — substantiated
No substantiated ethics complaints against Hochul through COELIG or predecessor JCOPE. Delaware North conflict of interest generates ongoing public concern but no formal complaint sustained. Digital Gadgets contract raised ethics questions but no formal finding. COELIG (established Jul 2022) has not issued any adverse determination against the governor. Ethics infrastructure reform (replacing JCOPE) was Hochul's own initiative.
NY COELIG Records; Ethics Commission Reform Act 2022
3
Gift/travel disclosure
Annual gift/travel disclosures filed with COELIG per state ethics law. No documented acceptance of prohibited gifts. Travel for official business documented. Campaign fundraising events (including Nov 2021 fundraiser hosted by Digital Gadgets owner Tebele — $300K+ in family contributions followed by $637M state contract) raise appearance issues but technically compliant with campaign finance rules, not gift rules.
NY COELIG Records; Financial disclosure filings; Campaign finance records
2
Conflict of interest
MAJOR CONFLICT PERCEPTION: Husband William Hochul Jr. — SVP/General Counsel at Delaware North since 2016. Delaware North holds: ~$50M state concession contracts (state parks, Thruway rest stops), $10.2M Niagara Falls State Park contract (since 2002), two upstate casinos (Hamburg Gaming, Finger Lakes Gaming). Governor controls Gaming Commission, Thruway Authority, Parks — all regulate Delaware North. $850M Bills stadium deal (Mar 2022) — Delaware North has business relationship with Bills. Hochul signed recusal Oct 2021 but Public Accountability Initiative says 'conflict exists as long as Bill Hochul is getting paid by this company.' No formal violation but appearance is severe.
COELIG Financial Disclosures; Crain's NY; Buffalo News; Governor's recusal letter Oct 2021; Public Accountability Initiative
1
State resources for political purposes
No documented misuse of state resources for political campaigns. No state aircraft or vehicle misuse allegations. State employee political activity restrictions enforced. Campaign operations maintained separately from government operations. No Hatch Act-equivalent violations documented. Clean record on state resource misuse — notable given Cuomo era concerns about Executive Chamber political operation.
NY COELIG Records; State ethics compliance records
3
Truthfulness in official statements
CREDIBILITY DAMAGE: (1) Congestion pricing — advocated for $15 toll for years, paused Jun 5 2024 (25 days before launch) citing 'cost of living,' reimplemented Nov 14 2024 at $9 — one week after election. Timing of pause/unpause widely seen as politically motivated. (2) Bills stadium — claimed team would leave NY without $850M public subsidy, but Bills' 30-year lease had no viable relocation destination. Hochul claimed $27M/yr tax revenue would 'pay for itself' — economists universally rejected this claim. (3) Cannabis — praised legalization then called rollout 'disaster' after years of mismanagement under her watch. Pattern of expedient reversal under pressure.
Governor's public statements; MTA records; City & State NY analysis; Gothamist; Economist analyses
1
Protection of ethics infrastructure
Signed Ethics Commission Reform Act Apr 9 2022 — replaced scandal-plagued JCOPE with COELIG (11 members, staggered 4-year terms). Nominees vetted by Independent Review Committee (deans of 15 NY law schools). Commissioners barred from political contributions. COELIG officially operational Jul 8 2022, first meeting Sep 12 2022. Reform was genuine improvement but COELIG slow to stand up (months to achieve quorum) and has not aggressively pursued high-profile cases. Partially delivered on promise.
Ethics Commission Reform Act 2022; COELIG formation records; Albany Law School analysis
2
Emoluments/self-dealing
Delaware North (husband's employer) holds concession contracts at venues near new Bills stadium site. Delaware North has extensive business relationship with Pegula family (Bills owners). $850M public stadium subsidy directly benefits ecosystem Delaware North operates in. Husband earns substantial salary as SVP/General Counsel. Not technically emoluments (benefit to spouse's employer, not governor directly) but indirect financial benefit path is clear. Written recusal does not address systemic benefit Delaware North receives from state's sports/entertainment spending.
COELIG Financial Disclosures; Delaware North business records; Crain's NY; Read Sludge investigation
1
Campaign donor to state contract pipeline
DIGITAL GADGETS: Campaign donor Charles Tebele/family contributed $300K+ to Hochul. Nov 22 2021 fundraiser hosted by Tebele. One month later, state awarded $637M in no-bid COVID test contracts to Digital Gadgets — and NY paid 45% more than California for identical tests. Pegula family (Bills owners) donated to Hochul; received $850M public stadium subsidy. Real estate industry major donors — Housing Compact would have benefited development interests. Healthcare industry donors — Medicaid spending approaching $100B/yr. Pattern of donor-to-state-benefit pipeline.
NY Board of Elections Campaign Finance; AP/Times Union Digital Gadgets investigation; Procurement Records
1
Foreign influence
No foreign influence concerns documented. No FARA-registered foreign agents in Hochul's inner circle. Delaware North operates internationally (sports venues, airports) but no foreign government connection to Hochul's policy decisions. Standard posture on foreign investment and trade promotion. No documented contacts with foreign governments outside normal diplomatic protocol for state governors.
DOJ FARA Database; COELIG records
3
Sexual harassment claims
No sexual harassment claims against Hochul — clean record. Explicitly positioned herself as contrast to Cuomo, who resigned Aug 2021 after AG James' investigation found he sexually harassed 11 women. Hochul's accession was directly tied to Cuomo's harassment scandal. No workplace toxicity complaints from staff. First female governor of NY — symbolic contrast to predecessor's pattern of behavior.
NY COELIG Records; AG James Cuomo investigation Aug 2021
3
Records preservation
No documented records destruction. Contrast to Cuomo era where Executive Chamber records retention was questioned during harassment investigation. Hochul's office compliant with NYS Archives records retention requirements. FOIL requests processed without evidence of records being destroyed to avoid disclosure. Standard records preservation posture.
NY State Archives; FOIL compliance records; Committee on Open Government
3
Revolving door
No major revolving door concerns specific to Hochul's gubernatorial staff. COELIG administers post-employment restrictions for senior state officials (2-year cooling-off period for appearing before former agency). Husband William Hochul went from federal prosecutor to Delaware North (2016) before Kathy became governor — technically not revolving door but creates ongoing perception issue. No documented violations of post-employment lobbying restrictions by former Hochul staff.
NY COELIG Records; Post-employment restriction rules; Public Officers Law §73
3
Fraud losses in state programs
Pandemic-era UI fraud: $11B in improper payments (28.89% improper payment rate, 17.59% fraud rate in SFY2021-22) per Comptroller audit — attributed to outdated DOL systems (warnings since 2010 ignored). Hochul announced UI fraud crackdown and ID.me implementation reduced monthly fraudulent claims from 488K (Mar 2021) to 3,300 (Jul 2021). $637M Digital Gadgets contract overpaid 45% vs California for same tests. No major ongoing fraud losses post-pandemic, but legacy fraud losses were staggering.
NY State Comptroller UI Audit Nov 2022; DOL fraud prevention data; Empire Center analysis
3
Program integrity — eligibility verification
Medicaid eligibility verification standard for federal programs. PHE continuous enrollment unwound — ~1.5M disenrolled in orderly fashion. SNAP/TANF verification through OTDA standard. BUT: Migrant services provided with minimal verification — state programs explicitly open regardless of immigration status. No E-Verify requirement for state employers or contractors. Cannabis licensing verification failed to prevent illicit operators. Migrant shelter eligibility loosely verified — 220K+ entered NYC shelter system under 'right to shelter' mandate.
NY OTDA Program Integrity; CMS Medicaid Unwinding; NYC shelter census data
3
IT system modernization
NY Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) handles state IT. DOL's UI system — outdated since 2010, contributed to $11B in pandemic fraud — was a documented failure of IT modernization (predecessor issue, not yet fully resolved). DMV online services expanded. data.ny.gov maintained with 4,300+ datasets. Cybersecurity investments ongoing. State IT infrastructure generally adequate but legacy systems remain a vulnerability. No major cybersecurity breaches documented under Hochul.
NY ITS Reports; Comptroller UI audit Nov 2022; data.ny.gov statistics
3
Permit processing timeliness
Housing permits critically slow — NYC housing vacancy rate below 1.5% (tightest in decades). Hochul's Housing Compact (mandatory 3% growth targets) killed by legislature in 2023. SEQRA environmental review adds months/years to development timelines. Cannabis licensing backlog contributed to 2,000+ illicit shops emerging while ~100 legal dispensaries waited. DEC permits standard pace. Business licensing competitive with peer states but regulatory burden high — Tax Foundation ranks NY 2nd worst business tax climate.
NY DEC; NY DOS; NYC Housing Vacancy Survey; Tax Foundation 2024; OCM licensing data
2
Child welfare system
OCFS operating at standard levels for foster care, child protection, and juvenile justice. Migrant crisis added 30K+ unaccompanied/accompanied minor children to NYC schools and social services since 2022. State committed $16.5M FY2026 for unaccompanied minor legal services. CFSR performance consistent with prior years. No major child welfare scandals under Hochul. Child poverty elevated but declining from pandemic peaks.
ACF CFSR Results — New York; NY OCFS Reports; NYC DOE migrant enrollment data; FY2026 budget
2
Medicaid program management
NY Medicaid: total spending approaching $100B/yr (FY2024: ~$100B; FY2025: ~$96.4B after PHE unwind disenrollments). State share ~$35.5B (FY2025). Hochul increased state Medicaid spending by $17B over 4 years — more new money than all other state government combined (Empire Center). Expanded coverage to undocumented seniors 65+ ($230M/yr, Jan 2024). 6.7M+ enrollees. Per-enrollee spending highest in nation. Medicaid growth is primary driver of $34.3B structural budget gap. CMS raised managed care oversight concerns.
CMS Reviews; NY DOH Medicaid; Empire Center '$17B Medicaid Surge' report; Comptroller Reports
1
Environmental program
CLCPA implementation: 70% renewable electricity by 2030, 85% emission cuts by 2050. $4.2B Environmental Bond Act (Nov 2022) funding climate resilience, water quality, conservation — 35% minimum to disadvantaged communities. Offshore wind: contracted 4.3 GW but projects face cost overruns and developer withdrawals (Equinor/BP renegotiated). Proposed cap-and-invest carbon pricing program. DEC programs operating. Air and water quality monitoring standard. NY on track for some CLCPA goals but 2030 targets likely to be missed.
EPA State Program Evaluations; NY DEC; CLCPA progress reports; Environmental Bond Act implementation
2
Transportation project delivery
MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan: $68.4B proposed. Congestion pricing generating ~$550M/yr to fund $15B in transit capital (signals modernization, station accessibility, track work). $1.75B in subway improvement projects announced. MTA ridership hit record 2025 levels. BUT: Penn Station $7B renovation stalled (federal grant rejected, reapplied). MTA reliability still challenged on older lines. Subway signal system decades old on many lines. Commuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North) improvements funded by congestion pricing revenue. Overall delivery mixed — funding secured but execution behind schedule.
MTA Capital Plan 2025-2029; Governor's congestion pricing announcements; Streetsblog; Crain's NY
2
Unemployment insurance system
UI system functional post-pandemic but legacy failures were catastrophic — $11B in improper payments during pandemic due to outdated mainframe system (Comptroller warned since 2010). ID.me identity verification implemented Jul 2021 reduced fraud dramatically. NY unemployment rate ~4.2% (near national average). DOL processing times improved from pandemic backlog. UI Trust Fund replenished from pandemic depletion. System modernization ongoing but not yet complete.
NY DOL; DOL UI Performance Data; Comptroller UI audit Nov 2022; BLS LAUS
2
Veterans services
NY Division of Veterans' Services provides benefits counseling, employment assistance, housing support for ~800K veterans statewide. State veterans' homes operational. Veteran homelessness declining per HUD PIT data. Veterans' services not a major controversy or priority under Hochul. Standard state grant utilization from VA. No documented failures in veterans' services delivery. Budget allocations consistent with prior administrations.
NY DVS Annual Reports; VA State Grant Data; HUD PIT Count — NY
3
Housing program effectiveness
SEVERE HOUSING FAILURE: NYC median rent ~$3,500/month, vacancy rate below 1.5% — worst in decades. Hochul's Housing Compact (3% growth mandate for suburbs) killed by own party's Assembly in 2023 — abandoned mandatory targets by 2024. Replaced with voluntary $500M grant fund (proven ineffective elsewhere). 220K+ migrants entered NYC shelter system since spring 2022 — overwhelming 'right to shelter' mandate. Homelessness elevated. Affordable housing production far below targets. Median home price in NYC metro exceeds $700K. Rent stabilization laws maintained but supply shortage is fundamental problem Hochul failed to address.
HUD PIT Count; NYC DHS Shelter Census; Census ACS; NYC Housing Vacancy Survey; Manhattan Institute housing analysis
1
Corrections system
Rikers closure deadline Aug 2027 now unachievable — replacement borough-based jails not ready until 2032. Rikers population surged to 7,067 (Mar 2025) — nearly double the target for closure plan. Hochul supported bail reform modifications (removed 'least restrictive means' standard). Discovery reform modifications controversial. DOCCS state prison population declining from criminal justice reform. No catastrophic corrections facility failures. Bail reform debate ongoing — both sides criticize Hochul's middle-ground approach.
NY DOCCS Annual Reports; NYC BOC Rikers Reports; City & State Rikers timeline; Gothamist
2
Federal funding captured
NY receives ~$80B+/yr federal funding — largest recipient state. IIJA infrastructure grants secured for bridges, broadband, EV charging. $52B Medicaid federal match (FY2025). FEMA disaster assistance for Buffalo blizzard and flooding events. BUT: Migrant crisis federal reimbursement severely inadequate — ~$104M FEMA SSP vs $4.3B+ state costs. Hochul lobbied Biden and Congress for additional migrant funding without significant success. Trump admin cutting federal aid to sanctuary jurisdictions adds further risk.
USASpending.gov; Census Federal Aid; FEMA SSP; NY DOB; Governor's congressional testimony
2
Federal corrective action plans
CMS raised managed care oversight concerns — NY Medicaid ($96-100B/yr) is largest state Medicaid program. No formal corrective action plans imposed. Medicaid PHE unwind completed — ~1.5M disenrolled in orderly transition. Federal education funding (Title I, IDEA) administered without major compliance issues. EPA delegated programs (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act) maintained. No federal agency has placed NY under formal corrective action during Hochul's tenure.
CMS State Reviews; EPA program evaluations; ED Title I compliance; FEMA compliance records
3
Interstate cooperation
Port Authority of NY-NJ: functional bistate cooperation on airports (JFK, LGA, EWR), bridges, tunnels, World Trade Center. Gateway tunnel project advancing as bistate priority. Multistate climate agreements (RGGI participation). Interstate cooperation with NJ Gov. Murphy on congestion pricing coordination (NJ residents subject to tolls). Some tensions with NJ over migrant bus transfers. Standard participation in NGA, multistate compacts. No major interstate disputes attributable to Hochul.
Port Authority records; Gateway Program; RGGI membership; NGA participation records
3
Local government relations
SIGNIFICANT TENSIONS: Mayor Adams repeatedly criticized Hochul for insufficient state funding for migrant crisis — NYC spent $9.2B+ while state committed $3.25B to city. City-state disputes over shelter siting, cost sharing, and 30-day shelter limits. Upstate-downstate divide persistent — $850M Buffalo stadium deal angered downstate taxpayers while congestion pricing angered suburban/upstate commuters. Housing Compact killed partly by suburban local governments opposing density mandates. NY Conference of Mayors pushed back on unfunded state mandates. School aid distribution contentious between wealthy and poor districts.
NYC Mayor's Office; NY Conference of Mayors; NYC Comptroller migrant reports; Housing Compact debate
1
Federal litigation costs
Congestion pricing litigation: Trump admin attempted to revoke FHWA environmental approval — Hochul/AG James prevailed in federal court (Jan 2025). CCIA gun law litigation: parts struck down by 2nd Circuit (Dec 2023), SCOTUS denied cert (Apr 2025). AG James managing dozens of federal lawsuits against Trump admin policies (immigration, environment, education). NY a lead plaintiff state in multistate federal litigation. Litigation costs significant but typical for large activist state. Prevailed in congestion pricing — major win.
NY AG Litigation Records; Federal court rulings; SCOTUS Antonyuk cert denial Apr 2025
2
Constituent inquiry response
Governor's constituent services office handles inquiries, complaints, and requests. Response times adequate per internal metrics. Online constituent portal functional. Regional offices maintained across state (Buffalo, Albany, NYC, Long Island). Volume of constituent contacts elevated due to migrant crisis, congestion pricing, and cost of living complaints. No documented systemic failure to respond to constituent inquiries. Improvement from Cuomo era in accessibility.
Governor's Office Internal Metrics; Regional office records
3
Town halls held
Hochul travels extensively across NY — born in Buffalo, maintains strong upstate presence while engaging NYC regularly. More accessible than Cuomo — holds community events, press conferences at local venues. Visited Buffalo during Dec 2022 blizzard. Regular appearances at upstate events. 'Listening tour' format used for policy rollouts. However, no formal gubernatorial town halls with open Q&A from public in structured format — events tend to be staged/curated rather than true town halls.
Governor's Office Schedule; Media coverage; Travel records
3
Constituent satisfaction
APPROVAL TRAJECTORY: Hit bottom Jan 2025 (39% favorable, 47% unfavorable — Siena). Recovered to 49-40% favorable (Feb 2026 — best ever) amid Trump-era backlash boosting D governors. Job approval 54-41% (Feb 2026). 2022 election: won 53.1-46.7% vs Zeldin — closest D gubernatorial win since 1982, margin only 6.4 pts in D+12 state. 63% opposed Bills stadium deal (Siena). Lt. Gov. Delgado briefly explored primary challenge (withdrew). 2026 leads: 54-28% vs Blakeman, 64-11% vs Delgado among Dems. Satisfaction improved but driven more by anti-Trump sentiment than pro-Hochul enthusiasm.
Siena College Research Institute polls Feb 2025, May 2025, Feb 2026; 2022 election results; Morning Consult
0
ADA compliance
Standard ADA compliance across state agencies. MTA accessibility improvements funded through congestion pricing capital plan — 5 subway station accessibility upgrades announced ($1.75B transit improvement package). State buildings and services ADA compliant. No DOJ ADA enforcement actions against NY state during Hochul's tenure. Online services accessibility maintained. Language access for non-English speakers in state services adequate given NYC's diverse population.
DOJ ADA Reviews; MTA accessibility plan; NY DCHR compliance records
3
Electoral accountability
Won 2022: 53.1-46.7% vs Lee Zeldin (2,957,602 to 2,666,065 votes) — only 6.4 pt margin in D+12 state. Closest D gubernatorial win since 1982, closest race since 1994. Hochul first woman elected NY governor. Underperformed Biden's 2020 margin by ~17 pts. Crime and cost of living drove Zeldin's strong showing. 2026 outlook improved: leads Blakeman 54-28%, best-ever favorability 49-40% (Feb 2026). Recovery driven by Trump-era backlash benefiting D incumbents rather than Hochul-specific enthusiasm.
NY Board of Elections 2022 results; Siena polls 2025-2026; FiveThirtyEight partisan lean data
2

Section B — State Outcomes 309/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

BLS LAUS: NY unemployment near national average but NYC metro higher. BEA SAGDP: NY GDP large ($2T+) but growth lagging national pace. High taxes (income, corporate, property). Wall Street revenue volatile. Business environment challenging — regulatory burden high. Finance sector strong but manufacturing declining.
Census 2025: NY population virtually flat — gained just 1,076 people (Jul 2024-Jul 2025). 2024-25 net domestic outflow of 137,586 residents brought 5-year domestic migration loss to over 1 million. NY population still down 201,269 from 2020 Census — biggest decline of any state. In 2024, 415,449 people left NY vs 285,304 moving in. International migration dropped sharply: 96,000 immigrant arrivals (2024-25), down from 207,000 prior year. FL, TX remain top destinations. Outmigration driven by childcare costs, housing ($3,500/mo median NYC rent), and affordability. Low/middle-income households most affected.
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT: Cumulative three-year gap projected at $34.3B and growing. Migrant crisis cost $9.2B+ (NYC). Medicaid at $80B+/year and rising. High debt per capita. AA+/Aa1 ratings maintained but trajectory concerning. Reserves being tapped. Budget at record levels but unsustainable spending growth.
NYC crime declining steadily: 2024 saw ~3% reduction in overall index crime (3,662 fewer incidents). Murder count fell 34% since 2021; shooting incidents plummeted 54% (2021-2025). NYC homicide rate 4.1/100K (2023) — below national average of 5.6/100K. Between 2023-2024, overall NY crime decreased 4.3%. Hochul revised bail reform law (added more bail-eligible offenses, blamed predecessor Cuomo for 2019 law). Deployed National Guard to NYC subway system. BUT: violent crime still 20%+ above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Shoplifting/retail theft crisis. Drug overdose deaths elevated. Upstate crime lower but urban centers remain challenged.
NAEP: NY scores near national average. NYC public schools mixed — some strong, some failing. Per-pupil spending among highest nationally ($28K+). Foundation Aid fully funded. But: achievement gaps between districts enormous. COVID learning loss significant.
Census ACS: NY uninsured rate ~5% (among lowest nationally due to expansive Medicaid/Essential Plan coverage). Medicaid covers ~7.7M New Yorkers (~39% of population). Hochul signed insulin copay ban — first state in nation to eliminate insulin costs. Expanded state-funded Medicaid to undocumented seniors 65+ (Jan 2024, $230M/yr, 19,500 enrolled in first 3 months). NYC Care provides additional city-funded coverage. BUT: mental health crisis significant — drug overdose deaths elevated, opioid crisis severe. Rural healthcare access challenges upstate. Hospital closures in rural areas continuing.
FHWA NBI: NY bridges aging — some among oldest in nation (17,456 bridges, ~8% structurally deficient). MTA reliability challenges but investing via congestion pricing revenue ($1B+ annually from $9/day Manhattan toll, launched Jan 2025 after Hochul paused then reimplemented). Penn Station renovation planning ($7B Gateway Tunnel project advancing with federal support). $4.2B Environmental Bond Act (voter-approved Nov 2022) funding climate resilience and water quality. IIJA federal infrastructure funds captured. Road conditions mixed — NYS Thruway system maintained but upstate roads deteriorating. Broadband expansion ongoing upstate with ConnectALL initiative.
BEA RPP: NY cost of living among highest nationally (~118-125 for NYC metro). Median rent NYC ~$3,500/month. Property taxes high ($8K+ average). Income tax high (10.9% top bracket). Congestion pricing adds $9/day for Manhattan drivers. Groceries, utilities, insurance all above national average. Among most expensive states to live.
Promised transparency after Cuomo but record is poor. NY ranks 47th among 50 states in FOIL response times — state agencies average 147 days for compliance (MuckRock). Hochul VETOED bills strengthening FOIL (2025): one would have phased in deadlines (180 days by 2026, 90 days by 2027, 60 days by 2028). NY Coalition for Open Government placed Hochul on negative side of transparency list for 3rd consecutive year (2025). Committee on Open Government called for 'overhaul' of state transparency practices (Feb 2025). Agency transparency plans 'all fizzle, no sizzle' per Reinvent Albany (May 2024) — most agencies provided less detail than 2021. COELIG replaced JCOPE (ethics reform). BUT: Bills stadium ($850M) deal lacked transparency, congestion pricing decision-making opaque, Delaware North conflict undermines credibility.
Lt. Gov. Benjamin indicted on federal charges (first major appointment). Congestion pricing flip-flop-flip — paused then unpaused. $850M Bills stadium subsidy (largest NFL public subsidy ever, 63% opposed). Migrant crisis cost $9.2B+ and overwhelming NYC shelter system. Husband's Delaware North conflict of interest. Lowest approval ratings of tenure. 59% say wrong direction. Near-primary challenge from own Lt. Gov. Underperformed in 2022 election.
Against NY governors historically: below average. First female NY governor — succeeded Cuomo (resigned Aug 2021 under sexual harassment scandal). Promised ethics reform but first Lt. Gov. (Benjamin) indicted on federal charges. Won 2022 with only 53.2% in deep-blue state — underperformed significantly vs prior D governors. $34.3B structural budget gap developing (Comptroller DiNapoli). Migrant crisis unprecedented in modern NY era — $9.2B+ through FY2029 (220,000+ migrants in NYC shelter). Congestion pricing flip-flop historically unusual. $850M Bills stadium subsidy is largest direct NFL public subsidy in history. Population down 201,269 from 2020 Census — biggest decline of any state. Not comparable to Rockefeller (infrastructure builder), Carey (fiscal crisis rescue), or Cuomo (pre-scandal infrastructure). Tripled child tax credit and banned insulin copays as notable positives.
Lowest approval of tenure. 59% say wrong direction. Won 2022 with only 53.2% in D-heavy state — underperformed significantly. Lt. Gov. Delgado announced primary challenge before withdrawing. 63% opposed Bills stadium deal. Migrant crisis anger widespread. Congestion pricing polarizing. Cost of living driving outmigration. Constituent verdict is clearly negative.
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Section C — Oath Fidelity -66 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: 3 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
NY violent crime rate ~363 per 100K (2023), near national average. Rate elevated from pre-2020 baseline. NYC crime spike 2020-2022 followed by modest decline. Subway crime remains concern.
FBI UCR; DCJS; NYPD CompStat
-1
Homicide rate relative to national average
NY homicide rate approximately 4.5-5.0 per 100K (2023), within 15% below national average. NYC homicides declined from 2022 peak but remain above pre-pandemic levels.
FBI UCR; CDC WONDER; NYPD
0
Homicide clearance rate
NY/NYC homicide clearance rate approximately 40-45%. Below national average. NYPD clearance declining due to staffing and policy constraints.
FBI UCR; NYPD annual report
-1
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
NYPD has lost thousands of officers (attrition exceeding recruitment). State police adequately staffed but NYC drives state-level metrics. Recruitment crisis in NYC.
FBI LEOKA; NYPD staffing; NYSP
-1
Drug overdose death rate trend
NY drug overdose rate approximately 30 per 100K. High and elevated during Hochul tenure. NYC and upstate both affected. Fentanyl crisis severe.
CDC WONDER; NY DOH opioid data
-1
Emergency management preparedness
DHSES meets most FEMA capability targets. NYC OEM among most capable urban emergency management agencies. Strong hurricane and storm preparedness.
FEMA SPR; DHSES; NYC OEM
+1
Preventable mass-casualty event response
Buffalo supermarket shooting (May 2022) — 10 killed. Response adequate. Hochul called special session for gun legislation. No major infrastructure/natural disaster failures. Standard performance.
Buffalo PD; state response
0
Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions
NY structurally deficient bridges approximately 10%. Road conditions mixed — NYC roads poor, upstate variable. ASCE grade C-. Significant backlog. NYC infrastructure aging.
FHWA NBI; ASCE NY; NYSDOT
-1
Water and dam safety compliance
NY water systems generally compliant. NYC water supply (Catskill/Delaware system) excellent. Some upstate communities face aging infrastructure. PFAS contamination at some sites. Dam safety adequate.
EPA SDWIS; NYC DEP; NYS DEC
0
Healthcare access — uninsured rate
NY uninsured rate approximately 5% (2023 ACS). NY State of Health marketplace. Medicaid expansion. Strong healthcare access. Among better states.
Census ACS; KFF; NY DOH
+2
Maternal mortality rate
NY maternal mortality rate approximately 25 per 100K live births, near national average. Significant racial disparities. NYC vs upstate variation significant.
CDC WONDER; NY DOH
0
Infant mortality rate
NY infant mortality rate approximately 4.5-5.0 per 1,000, near national average but slightly below. Strong neonatal care in NYC metro area.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
+1
Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
NY has limited Castle Doctrine (only in home). Strict duty to retreat outside home. Self-defense claims face high bar. Among most restrictive states for self-defense.
NY Penal Law 35.15; NRA-ILA
-1
Death penalty procedural safeguards
NY effectively abolished death penalty (2007 Court of Appeals ruling). LWOP available. Victim services funded. Innocence Project (founded at Cardozo/Yeshiva) active.
People v. LaValle; Death Penalty Information Center
+1
Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes
NY suicide rate approximately 8-9 per 100K — well below national average. Funded prevention programs. 988 integration. Good outcomes.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP NY; NY OMH
+1
911/emergency response time adequacy
NYC FDNY/EMS among best in nation. Response times under 7 minutes urban. Upstate response adequate. NFPA compliance high in metro areas.
NFPA; FDNY; NY EMS data
+1
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
NY has comprehensive opioid strategy with significant funding. Treatment capacity expanded. Outcomes mixed — deaths stabilizing but not declining significantly. Harm reduction emphasis.
SAMHSA; NY DOH; OASAS
0
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
NY DVS provides funded services. Multiple VA medical centers. Good veteran health infrastructure. Veteran homelessness declining in NYC through VASH vouchers.
VA SAIL; NY DVS; HUD PIT
+1
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
NY food safety strong. NYC DOHMH among most rigorous restaurant inspection programs nationally. State DAM inspection program adequate. No major outbreaks.
FDA Conformance; NYC DOHMH; NY DAM
+1
Workplace fatality rate
NY workplace fatality rate approximately 2.5-3.0 per 100K FTE — below national average. Service-economy dominant. Strong PESH enforcement.
BLS CFOI; NY DOSH/PESH
+1
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
NY has DV fatality review. OPDV well-funded. Shelter capacity among largest in nation. DV rates below national average in most of state.
NY OPDV; NNEDV
+1
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
NY DOCCS death rates near national average. Rikers Island crisis (NYC jail, not state prison) ongoing. State prisons adequate. HALT Act limited solitary confinement.
BJS; NY DOCCS; Rikers Island oversight
0
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
NY has some nonattainment in NYC metro (ozone). Superfund sites on schedule. Environmental enforcement through DEC adequate. Average environmental health.
EPA Green Book; EPA Superfund; NY DEC
0
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
NY traffic fatality rate approximately 0.8-0.9 per 100M VMT — below national average. Dense urban development reduces vehicle speeds. NYC Vision Zero effective.
NHTSA FARS; NYSDOT; NYC DOT
+1
Sanctity of life legislative framework
NY enacted Reproductive Health Act (2019, before Hochul). Codified abortion through viability with broad health exception post-viability. Removed from criminal code. Hochul actively promotes expanded access post-Dobbs including travel assistance. No clinic safety regulations.
NY RHA; Guttmacher; Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)
-3
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
Supported encampment sweeps and National Guard subway deployment, but NYC spent $6.4M clearing 4,148 sites with zero permanent housing placements.
Gothamist, Coalition for the Homeless
0
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
45% of rural NY hospitals at risk of closing. State lost ~1M residents to domestic migration over 5 years.
Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform
-1
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
Deployed 1,000 National Guard to NYC subways; $77M subway safety plan. Major transit crimes down 29%.
Governor.ny.gov, ABC7 NY
+2
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
Signed Less Is More Act removing incarceration for most technical parole violations. Early release of 151 prisoners.
Brennan Center, The City NYC
-1
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
Proposed policy allowing transgender inmates to request placement matching gender identity. Budget included 'presumptive placement' provision.
13WHAM, Governor.ny.gov
-2
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
Signed landmark involuntary commitment reform expanding criteria. Strengthened Kendra's Law, $16.5M for county AOT programs.
Governor.ny.gov, City & State NY
+2

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: -34 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29
Second Amendment — right to carry status
Hochul signed CCIA (Concealed Carry Improvement Act, 2022) in direct response to Bruen ruling — effectively creating new barriers to carry. Designated vast 'sensitive places' including Times Square, parks, transit. Federal courts have struck down multiple provisions. De facto defiance of Bruen.
NY CCIA (2022); NYSRPA v. Bruen; Antonyuk v. Chiumento; federal injunctions
-3
Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions
NY has comprehensive assault weapons ban (SAFE Act 2013, pre-Hochul). Hochul maintains and supports. Bans by name and feature. Criminal penalties for possession of newly acquired banned firearms.
NY SAFE Act; NY Penal Law 265.00
-2
Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions
NY has 10-round magazine limit (SAFE Act reduced from 10 to 7, later restored to 10 by courts). Criminal penalties for possession of magazines over 10 rounds.
NY Penal Law; SAFE Act provisions
-2
Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process
NY enacted ERPO (2019, before Hochul). Expanded under Hochul. Ex parte orders. Hearing within 6 business days. Preponderance standard. No appointed counsel. Extended orders up to 1 year.
NY CPLR 6340-6346; ERPO data
-1
First Amendment — campus free speech protections
NY has no campus free speech statute. SUNY/CUNY systems have had documented suppression incidents. DEI requirements in hiring. FIRE gives NY schools mixed to below-average ratings.
FIRE campus rankings; SUNY/CUNY policies
-1
First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections
NY strengthened anti-SLAPP protections (2020). Covers public interest speech. Fee-shifting available. Among improved anti-SLAPP states.
NY Civil Rights Law 70-a/76-a; Public Participation Project
+1
First Amendment — religious liberty protections
NY has no state RFRA. COVID-era church restrictions struck down by SCOTUS (Roman Catholic Diocese v. Cuomo). Hochul inherited but did not initially reverse church restrictions. Pattern of state-religious exercise tension.
Roman Catholic Diocese v. Cuomo; COVID orders; Becket Fund
-1
Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance
NY relies primarily on federal standards. NYPD surveillance programs documented (Stingray, social media monitoring). Limited state electronic privacy statute. Average protections.
EFF; ACLU NY; NYPD surveillance
0
Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform
NY has moderate forfeiture protections. Some reform enacted but criminal conviction not strictly required. Federal equitable sharing continues. Average.
Institute for Justice; NY CPLR 1310
0
Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo
NY has weak Kelo reform. Kelo itself involved a lawsuit by states following NY's Columbia University eminent domain case model. Blight designations broadly used. Among weaker states for eminent domain protections.
NY EDPL; Kaur v. NY State Urban Dev Corp; Castle Coalition
-1
Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines
NY has among highest regulatory burden in nation. NYC permitting extremely slow. Environmental (DEC) and building permits routinely delayed. Systematic delays used as de facto regulation.
State auditor; NYC DOB data; Mercatus RegData
-2
Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance
Hochul acquiesces to federal authority. No state sovereignty pushback. Cooperative and aligned with federal expansion of authority.
Governor's executive orders; litigation
-1
Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination
NY maintains extensive race-conscious programs. MWBE targets expanded. No SFFA compliance review. Continuing and expanding pre-SFFA framework.
NY MWBE; Empire State Development; procurement data
-1
Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws
NY effectively has no meaningful state preemption. NYC imposes strictest firearms restrictions in nation. CCIA allows localities additional restrictions. Patchwork of extremely restrictive local laws.
NYC Admin Code 10-301 et seq.; NRA-ILA
-2
First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance
NY FOIL compliance has documented issues. Governor's office response times often exceed statutory deadlines. Some documented delays and fee disputes. Below average.
NY FOIL; RCFP; NYT/media FOIL audits
-1
Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy
NY enacted Hurrell-Harring settlement reforms improving indigent defense. Legal Aid Society and assigned counsel programs better funded than many states. Caseloads still above recommended but improving.
Hurrell-Harring; ILS; Legal Aid Society
0
Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention
NY enacted bail reform (2019/2020, before Hochul) eliminating cash bail for many offenses. Subsequent amendments (2022/2023) restored some judicial discretion. Critics document violent offenders released pretrial. Still controversial.
NY bail reform legislation; court data; recidivism data
-1
Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom
NY ranks among highest regulatory burden nationally. Housing regulations, environmental restrictions, building codes extremely burdensome. Rent control/stabilization constrains property rights. Limited reform.
Mercatus RegData; Cato; Tax Foundation
-2
Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms cases
NY AG Letitia James among most aggressive anti-2A litigators. Led NRA dissolution lawsuit. CCIA specifically designed to circumvent Bruen. State actively litigates to restrict firearms rights. Hochul personally champions gun restrictions.
AG litigation; CCIA design; amicus filings; NRA v. James
-3
First Amendment — compelled speech protections
NY has some compelled speech elements. Pronoun policies in government agencies and schools. Professional licensing includes DEI/cultural competency. No anti-compelled-speech protections.
NY agency policies; professional licensing; school policies
-1
Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers
NY has protectionist regulations. High regulatory and tax burden on interstate commerce. Some licensing barriers. Financial services regulation creates friction.
IJ; Tax Foundation; court rulings
-1
Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform
NY has high licensing burden. Some military spouse provisions. No comprehensive reform. Above average licensing requirements.
IJ License to Work; NCSL
0
Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations
NY pension systems approximately 90%+ funded (among best in nation due to NYC pension investment returns). Bond ratings stable at AA+. Contracts honored. Pension management strong.
Pew pension; NY pension CAFRs; bond ratings
0
Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access
NY has standard jury trial access. Significant court backlog from COVID in NYC. Access adequate statewide but delays impacting timely trial rights.
NY court reports; OCA; NCSC
0
Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause adherence
NY is a sanctuary state. NYC is sanctuary city (EO 34 since 1989, expanded). Hochul supports. $5B+ spent on migrant crisis. No ICE cooperation. Right to shelter doctrine fuels unlimited migrant accommodation. Driver's licenses for illegal aliens (Green Light Law). In-state tuition. State actively obstructs federal enforcement while demanding federal funding.
NYC sanctuary policies; 8 USC 1373; migrant spending; Green Light Law
-3
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
No action to protect or strengthen qualified immunity. Legislation negotiating would codify QI but faces 60+ organizations opposing.
City & State NY, Fox News
-1
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
No voter ID requirement. Signed multiple bills expanding voting access. No chain-of-custody reforms.
Governor.ny.gov, Democracy Docket
-2
Non-citizen voting prevention
No specific legislation to prevent non-citizen voting. Running mate supported non-citizen voting in NYC.
Fox News, Governor.ny.gov
-1
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
No women's sports protection. Opposed Nassau County trans athlete ban. Called biological sex protections 'cruel and petty'.
PolitiFact, NBC News
-2

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska; Pierce v. Society of Sisters; Troxel v. Granville; 14th Amendment
Score: -6 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25
Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition
NY has no Parental Bill of Rights. Some administrative policies override parental authority. NYC school policies may conceal student gender identity from parents.
NY legislation; NYSED guidance; NYC DOE
-1
Education choice — school choice programs
NY has very limited school choice. No ESA/voucher. Charter school cap exists. NYC charter waitlist of 50,000+. Strong teachers' union opposition to choice expansion backed by Hochul.
EdChoice NY; NAPCS; NYC charter data
-2
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors
NY allows minors to consent to reproductive health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment without parental notification. Broad minor consent provisions.
NY minor consent statutes; Guttmacher
-1
Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions
NY has no restrictions on gender-transition procedures for minors. Medicaid covers transition procedures. No parental consent requirement for some categories. Facilitation of access.
NY Medicaid; NY legislation; NYSED guidance
-2
Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend
NY child maltreatment rate near national average. OCFS investigations adequate. ACS (NYC) system improved from historical crises. Standard performance.
ACF NCANDS; NY OCFS; NYC ACS
0
Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment
NY CFSR results mixed. NYC ACS significantly improved from previous decades. Conformity on approximately 4 of 7 outcomes. Average.
ACF CFSR; NY OCFS; NYC ACS
0
Foster care — permanency outcomes
NY foster care permanency outcomes near national average. NYC has made significant improvements. Statewide median time adequate.
ACF AFCARS; NY OCFS
0
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
NY has comprehensive trafficking statute. AG's office and ICAC active. NYC major trafficking hub with active enforcement. Safe harbor provisions. Good framework.
Polaris; Shared Hope; NY AG; NYPD
+1
Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
NY 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency approximately 30% at or above proficient (2022), near national average of 32%. NYC slightly below state average.
NCES NAEP 2022
0
Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency
NY 8th grade NAEP math proficiency approximately 26% at or above proficient (2022), near national average. Average performance.
NCES NAEP 2022
0
Parental curriculum transparency
NY has limited statutory transparency. Some districts implement gender/sexuality curriculum with limited parental notification. No statewide review right statute.
NYSED; school district policies
-1
Social media — minor protections
NY enacted SAFE for Kids Act and Child Data Protection Act (2024). Age verification and data protections for minors. Among early adopter states.
NY SAFE for Kids Act; NCSL
+1
Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment
NY raised age of criminal responsibility to 18 (Raise the Age, 2017, pre-Hochul). Rehabilitation-focused. OCFS juvenile programs. Good juvenile justice framework.
Raise the Age; JJDPA; OJJDP NY
+1
Child poverty rate and state response
NY child poverty rate approximately 16% (2023 ACS), near national average. Extreme disparities between NYC high-poverty neighborhoods and affluent suburbs.
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT
0
Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support
NY has standard adoption programs. Large foster care system. Processing times average. No faith-based agency protection statute.
ACF AFCARS; NY OCFS
0
Homeschool rights and protections
NY has among most restrictive homeschool laws. Detailed IHIP (Individualized Home Instruction Plan) required. Annual assessment. Quarterly reports. Significant regulatory burden on homeschool families.
HSLDA NY; NY Education Law; Commissioner's Regulations
-1
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) enforcement
NY ICAC task force and AG office active on CSAM. Strong prosecution framework. NYC federal courts handle major cases. Good enforcement.
ICAC; NCMEC; NY AG
+1
School safety — violence prevention and incident response
NY has school safety programs. SRO presence varies by district (NYC phased out NYPD school safety agents in some schools). Threat assessment protocols. Average framework.
NASRO; NYSED
0
Children's mental health services access
NY school counselor ratio approximately 400:1, near average. OMH programs funded. NYC has better access than upstate. Average overall.
ASCA; SAMHSA NY; NY OMH
0
Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections
NY eliminated religious exemptions for school immunization (2019, pre-Hochul). Medical exemptions only. Among most restrictive states for parental choice. Hochul maintained framework.
NCSL; CDC; NY Public Health Law 2164
-2
Child care affordability and access
NY has child care subsidy programs. Costs extremely high (NYC among highest nationally). Waitlist significant. Programs exist but inadequate relative to cost.
ACF CCDF; NWLC; NY OCFS
0
Education — teacher quality and retention
NY teacher quality mixed. NYC competitive compensation but upstate below average. Vacancy rates moderate statewide. Retention average.
NCES; NYSED workforce; NEA
0
Child nutrition — food insecurity rate
NY child food insecurity approximately 15%, near national average. NYC has extensive meal programs. Upstate food deserts exist. Average overall.
USDA ERS; Feeding America
0
Custody and family court — due process in child removal
NY Family Court has standard due process framework. Appointed counsel (18-B attorneys, Legal Aid). Some court backlog affecting timeliness.
NY Family Court; ABA
0
Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance
NY rated 'Needs Assistance' by OSEP. Large system means variable compliance. NYC special education historically challenged. Average.
OSEP; IDEA Part B
0

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath; Art. IV Sec. 4; state constitutional requirements
Score: -29 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41
Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit
NY budget technically balanced but heavy reliance on one-time federal funds. FY2025 $237B all-funds budget enormous. Operating expenses growing. Migrant costs ($5B+) creating structural pressure.
NY CAFR; DOB; NASBO
0
State credit rating stability
NY holds AA+/Aa1/AA+ ratings — stable. Not AAA due to debt and pension liabilities. No downgrades under Hochul. Strong but below top tier.
S&P; Moody's; Fitch
+1
Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy
NY reserves approximately 10-12% of general fund. Adequate. Rainy day fund growing. Some statutory protection. Above average.
NASBO; NY DOB; Pew rainy day
+1
Pension system funding responsibility
NY pension systems approximately 90%+ funded — among best in nation. Common Retirement Fund (CRF) well-managed. Making full ARC. Model pension management.
Pew pension; NY CRF CAFR; NYSTRS
+2
State debt burden
NY has among highest state debt per capita in nation. Debt-to-GDP approximately 12-15%. MTA bonding, housing bonds, and general obligation debt all significant. Top quartile nationally.
Census; Moody's; NY Comptroller
-2
Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita
NY state workforce above national median per capita. Expanding under Hochul with new programs and migrant services. Growing government footprint.
Census Public Employment; BLS
-1
Inspector General / state auditor independence
NY State Comptroller (Tom DiNapoli) independent and effective. Performance audits well-regarded. Inspector General active. Good oversight framework.
NY OSC; NY IG reports
+1
Ethics violations and personal scandals
Hochul's husband's firm (Delaware North/Constellation Brands) received business from state during her tenure. $637M Buffalo Bills stadium deal (taxpayer funded) raised conflict questions. Former Lt. Gov Brian Benjamin arrested (corruption). Ethics optics problematic.
NY JCOPE/CELG; media reporting; Benjamin prosecution
-1
Executive order restraint
Hochul's EO usage moderate. Some COVID-era orders continued from Cuomo. Migrant emergency declarations extended. No EOs struck down. Within expanded norms.
NY Governor's EO database
0
Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits
Hochul inherited COVID emergency from Cuomo. Legislature reformed emergency powers (2021) limiting future extensions. Hochul complied with new limits. Migrant emergency declared but within statutory framework.
NY emergency reform 2021; legislative records
0
Legislative cooperation — veto override rate
Hochul works with Democratic supermajority. Few vetoes overridden. Generally productive relationship. Some friction on housing (initial Housing Compact rejected).
NY Legislature records
+1
Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity
Standard appointment process (Senate confirmation for Court of Appeals). Appointees generally meet standards. Some controversy over Court of Appeals nominees but no patronage documented.
NY judicial appointments; state bar
0
Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation
Sanctuary policies constitute non-enforcement of federal law while spending $5B+ on migrant services. CCIA designed to circumvent federal court (Bruen) ruling — deliberate defiance of federal courts. Congestion pricing reversed then reimposed chaotically.
CCIA Bruen defiance; sanctuary spending; congestion pricing
-2
Federal fund utilization — grant management
NY federal grant management generally adequate. Large federal fund recipient. No major clawbacks. FEMA migrant reimbursement disputes ongoing.
Federal Audit Clearinghouse; NY CAFR
0
Public approval as competence indicator
Hochul approval approximately 35-40% (Morning Consult, Siena). Among less popular governors. Migrant crisis, congestion pricing flip-flop, and crime concerns impacted ratings.
Morning Consult; Siena College polls
-1
State IT security and data protection
NY ITS has CISO. Cybersecurity investment adequate. No major breaches. NYC Cyber Command adds urban protection. Standard statewide.
NASCIO; NY ITS
0
Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution
Capital budget execution mixed. MTA capital plan $55B but chronic delays and cost overruns. ASCE grade C- for NY. Major investment but execution challenges. East Side Access completed but over budget.
ASCE NY; MTA; NYSDOT
0
Disaster fund readiness
NY has adequate emergency reserves. FEMA cost-share met. Strong reserves provide buffer. Sandy recovery experience improved preparedness.
FEMA; NY DHSES
+1
Workforce development — unemployment system integrity
NY DOL UI system severely struggled during pandemic. Estimated billions in fraud. System overwhelmed. Modernization ongoing but slow recovery.
DOL UI Data; NY DOL; state auditor
-1
Medicaid program integrity
NY Medicaid ($100B+ total) has documented integrity concerns. Error rates above average. Managed care complexity. Some audit findings. Budget constantly exceeds appropriation.
CMS PERM; NY DOH Medicaid; NY Comptroller audits
-1
Election administration — constitutional compliance
NY does not require photo voter ID. Paper ballot trail. Audit procedures exist. Same-day registration proposed. Voter roll maintenance adequate. Average administration.
EAC EAVS; Verified Voting; NY BOE
0
Transparency — state budget accessibility
NY has Open Budget portal with spending data. Comprehensive budget documents online. Comptroller's Open Book NY provides checkbook-level data. Above average.
NY Open Budget; Open Book NY; U.S. PIRG
+1
Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty
Sanctuary state with active federal obstruction. CCIA deliberately defies Bruen ruling — designing legislation specifically to circumvent SCOTUS. $5B+ migrant spending while blocking ICE. Green Light Law blocks ICE access to DMV records. Systematic non-compliance with federal law and court orders.
CCIA v. Bruen; sanctuary policies; Green Light Law; migrant spending
-3
Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning
Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado confirmed. But predecessor LG Benjamin was arrested (corruption). Succession functional but rocky history. COOP plan exists.
NY Constitution; Benjamin prosecution
0
Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity
Buffalo Bills stadium deal ($850M public funds) raised procurement questions. Former LG Benjamin arrested for corruption. NY has history of procurement issues. Competitive bidding variable.
Bills stadium deal; Benjamin prosecution; NY Comptroller audits
-1
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
NY gas tax ~26 cents/gallon. Delayed cap-and-invest after analysis showed $2.23/gallon addition.
Bloomberg Government, Empire Center
0
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
NY electricity costs among highest. CLCPA mandates zero-carbon by 2040 driving costs up.
Governor.ny.gov, Empire Center
-1
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
CLCPA mandates zero-carbon electricity by 2040 without adequate infrastructure. Delayed cap-and-invest.
Governor.ny.gov, News10
-1
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
NY has among highest property tax rates (~1.6%). No meaningful relief enacted.
Tax Foundation, The City NYC
-2
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
NY consistently ranks among worst for regulatory burden. Financial services employers surpassed by Texas.
Partnership for NYC, Reason
-2
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
State mandates on municipalities for housing, climate, social programs without adequate funding.
City & State NY, Empire Center
-2
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
NY cost of living driven sharply higher. Lost $6B in tax receipts from out-migration.
Fox News, Reason, Empire Center
-2
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
Spent $1.9B (FY24) and $2.4B (FY25) on migrant services. Declared will not assist federal immigration raids.
FAIR, Slate, NY1
-3
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
NYC spent $6.4M on sweeps with zero permanent housing placements. Record shelter census persists.
Coalition for the Homeless, Gothamist
-1
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
Supported encampment sweeps. Pushed back against Mamdani's plan to end them. Stated allowing people to sleep on sidewalks is not humane.
amNewYork, ABC7 NY
+1
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
5-year domestic migration loss of over 1 million people. Wealthy residents fleeing to FL/TX.
Empire Center, Census, Reason
-3
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
Texas surpassed NY in financial services employment. 9% more financial services postings in TX than NY.
Partnership for NYC, City Journal
-3
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
No action to remove progressive prosecutors. Manhattan DA Bragg's policies remain unchallenged.
NY Focus
-1
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
No ballot harvesting restrictions. No drop box security measures. Expanded mail voting without security enhancements.
Governor.ny.gov, Democracy Docket
-2
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
NY AG James pursued politically charged lawsuits. Hochul herself has not directly weaponized agencies.
Various NY news
-1
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
No significant state-level action on Chinese land, TikTok, or Confucius Institutes.
Various policy trackers
-1
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