Friend on the Governor’s State of the State Address
Statement by Christopher S. Friend (R,C-Big Flats)
“The governor outlined a broad agenda in her 2026 State of the State address, touching on affordability, expanded child care, public safety and a variety of new programs proposed for New York.
“While we share the goal of reducing costs for families and improving quality of life, the governor’s plan relies on expanding government programs and spending rather than delivering real, long-term relief for hard-working New Yorkers. Many of her proposals, such as significant new universal child care programs and expanded subsidies, risk burdening taxpayers and prioritizing expensive initiatives that may not address the core challenges facing upstate communities.
“New Yorkers in the Southern Tier know all too well that the state government must focus on practical solutions that strengthen local economies, not just big statewide programs centered in New York City. We also know that public safety is the foundation of strong communities, and that recent policies, including bail reform, Raise the Age and the HALT Act, must be reexamined to ensure they are protecting victims, supporting law enforcement and keeping dangerous offenders off the streets. We need policies that:
- Put real dollars back in people’s pockets through lasting tax relief rather than one-time rebate checks.
- Reduce mandates and regulations to lower energy and housing costs and unlock economic potential.
- Reform bail laws, Raise the Age and the HALT Act to restore balance, accountability and common sense to New York’s public safety system and respect law enforcement.
- Empower small businesses and family farms so they can thrive without crushing red tape.
- Support responsible natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale, which can strengthen our local economy and reduce dependency on higher-cost energy.
“Too often, the governor’s vision looks like more spending, more programs and more government, while upstate families are still dealing with high taxes, limited economic opportunities and infrastructure needs that go unmet. We applaud the intent behind addressing affordability, but we must be honest: raising costs on taxpayers and expanding government is not the pathway to prosperity for every region of New York.
“As the legislative session moves forward, I will push for common-sense reforms that reflect the priorities of the Southern Tier, including sustainable tax relief, regulatory reform, job creation strategies that attract new investment to upstate and a sharper focus on accountability and results in Albany. New York should be a place where families can live, work and raise children without being driven out by high costs or outmigration.”