State of the State 2026: What to Watch as Hochul Takes the Stage

As Governor Kathy Hochul prepares to deliver her 2026 State of the State address Tuesday at 1 p.m., attention in Albany is focused on affordability, public safety, and how New York responds to fast-moving shifts in national policy.

Ahead of the speech, Radio Catskill spoke with Samuel King, the newest capital correspondent for the New York Public News Network, to preview the priorities expected to dominate the governor’s agenda — and the political dynamics surrounding them.

Affordability front and center

King says one theme cuts across party lines: affordability. In recent weeks, Hochul has rolled out a series of proposals that function as “breadcrumbs” leading into the address, signaling where she wants to focus legislative energy this year.

Among the most closely watched initiatives is universal child care. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has publicly expressed support for expanding early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of finishing pre-K for all and moving toward broader access statewide. Hochul’s office has said four-year-olds would have pre-K access by the 2028–2029 school year, with a new partnership announced alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to provide free child care for two-year-olds in the city.

Republicans, meanwhile, say the goal is worthwhile but warn that workforce shortages and infrastructure could complicate implementation. Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt has argued for lowering child care costs through tax credits rather than a universal program.

Public safety, mental health, and technology

King expects the governor to highlight proposals aimed at cracking down on 3D-printed “ghost guns” and strengthening online safety for young people. Hochul has already previewed measures that would restrict AI chatbots and tighten age-verification and privacy standards on social media and gaming platforms, framing them as youth mental-health protections.

“These are areas where a lot of the groundwork is already visible,” King said, noting that the first major policy rollout of the year focused on online safety and teen mental health.

Governing in a volatile moment

This year’s address comes amid ongoing turbulence in Washington, with federal policy changes — particularly around funding — rippling down to the state level. King said lawmakers are watching closely to see how Hochul addresses potential impacts on Medicaid, child care funding, and immigration policy, especially as budget negotiations loom.

The speech also lands in an election year, with Hochul facing both an intra-party primary challenge and a Republican opponent. That reality, King noted, adds pressure to balance progressive priorities with concerns from moderates and independent voters across the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and upstate regions.

What happens after the speech

The address will be delivered at The Egg at the Empire State Plaza, where reporters expect a flurry of reaction afterward from supporters and critics alike. King said much of his reporting in the days following will focus on how lawmakers respond, what details emerge beyond the broad outlines, and which proposals actually gain traction as the legislative session and budget process unfold.

For listeners who don’t follow Albany politics closely, King offered simple advice: pay attention to what the governor emphasizes and how it connects to everyday life. “It’s the clearest chance all year to hear, in one place, what her vision is for New York and where the state government is headed,” he said.

Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address will air live Tuesday at 1 p.m. on Radio Catskill and across the New York Public News Network.