Adopted each of the houses of legislature, the senate and the assembly of the state of new inn for the purpose of receiving the annual message to the legislature from the governor of the state of new york. Ladies and gentlemen i am proud and honored to present the 57th government to the state of new york kathy hochul. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [cheering] [applause] thank you good afternoon. It is an honor to be back with you in this hallowed chamber, a place since 1879 civic minded new yorkers have wstled with everything from the great depression, two world wars, to the everyday issues that matter most to the millions of people who call new york our home. Generations of past leaders have shared the solemn responsibility of representing their citizens. I am honored to be joined by the leaders of today. First let me thank lieutenangad. He has done an amazing job i am so proud to have him in my side. I want to thank senior pastoras for the beautiful invocation. I look forward to seeing you perhaps this sunday in church, save me a seat. [applause] state controller, state attorney general, Senate MajorityLeader Assembly speaker you can apply to anyone if you want. [applause] [applause]wi■ im going back to majority leader. [cheering] [applause] we have to look out for women. Speaking of powerful woman [cheering]eader c[applause] Senate Minority leader another western new yorker. [cheering] Assembly Minority leader wilt barclay. The esteemed judges of the new york court of appeals. [applause]7 new york city mayor eric adams. Mayors and counties from all across the state we are also joined, yes give them a round of applause grocers on my former governor david patterson. So representatives from labor, distinguished guests and clergy leaders including doctor a. R. Bernard is the president of our executive interface council. [applause] members of my cabinet, secretary and council lives a fine. A special tribute to my policy director the visionary behind many of our great ideas, michael allowson sure. [applause] but today it is not about us it is about the 20 million hardworking new yorkers we are privileged to represent and what we can deliver for them in the year ahead. I have listened as new yorkers told me about the challenges and theyey face and the dreams they hold. It with them in mind i probably share my vision for 2024. [applause] these state of new york is strong. Stronger today than when io became governor two years ago. It is healthier, safer, more affordable. Have traversed some rocky terrain. There is still some switchbacks before we r nation were faith ad affordable life is out of reach wh shootings and murders have declined by double digits, safety at the grocery store, the synagogue or the subway is always of mind. And ive always made Great Strides to take guns off the streets. Too many parents are still fearful as children o morning an troubled individuals are discharged from the hospital without receiving the care they need and go on to commit violent acts. The potential of a crime no matter how serious is causing anxiety for our residents. And on top of that they are also frustrated with the rising cost of living. Inflation is down 9. 1 to 3. 1 over the last 18 paychecks are finally growing. And yet our neighbors are struggling to make a dollar go further. And sadly no matter how hard they work, they fear they will never be a success or get as far as their own parents did. These are the reasons i fight every day to give new yorkers a better shot at a better life. Since taking office ive worked i workedwith this legislation te more than 600,000 jobs and reduce unemployment 7. 4 to 4 . We did that will holding a line on taxes across the board could in fact we cut them for the middle class. [applause] we boosted k12 education by 5. 3 billion in extraordinary we fully funded Foundation Aid for the very first time in history. We increased healthcare fundingg by 20 to more than 112 billio we gave 1. 3 billion in raises to her hard working Home Health Care aides and bonuses for healthcare workers because they. And just this morning as a result of our hard President Biden and his administration we will be invest more than 6 billion in federal funds into our Healthcare System over the next three years. [applause] this bombi help support our safety net hospitals. Address Healthcare Workforce shortages, strength and access to primary and Behavioral Healthcare all important primaries, all of us. And on top of that, over the last two years we have invested more than 7 billion in child care. [a[applause] went at the same we save the mta from looming clip that threatens an economy of an entire region grew by 435 new writers. [applause]pp no administration no legislature have ever invested money faster in short roads and bridges to rebuild our states. We are grateful grateful for your continued partnership in our speaker we worked hard in trust in government. Here is what i know weve always seen more headlines at the handful of places we disagree but the truth w is we are unite. United in our commitment to the people of the state to gather together wehave already achieveg accomplishments is not what people want from their leaders. W w continue to fight the rate fight on their behalf and relentlessly pursue common sense ideas that lift up the people of this great state. Joining us today is quinton roosevelt. Quinton is the great greatgreatgrandson of Teddy Roosevelt who took the oath of office exactly what her 25 liters ago in a place called buffalo. At just 19 years old quinton is the youngest elected official inour nations capitol. Quinton, stand up. [applause] a great. I told him a Public Service runs in his veins and we expect even more. I quinton i waspired by the 33rd governor of new york. In fact i quoted Teddy Roosevelt my very first day in office. I promise to always strive valiantly on behalf of new yorkers and beat the woman in the arena. That is exactly what we have done. That is why willing to take on the persistent crimes like retail theft, Domestic Violence te crimes. Weve got to revolution our Mental Health insurance structure so people aually get the help they need. [applause] who will brew protecting hard earn money from bad actors and predatory lenders the same time will continue to build new york to places that welcome businesses. Existing small and large family owned and traded. We keep driving the long flight infrastructure and Public Transit projects the iad would invite at the kensington so our workers can support their families. And we will fight for m wage workers because no one should labor 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line. [applause] and we will fight for our farmers sent by extreme weather and workforcend shortages. Trying to met on fixing that will fight fort women balancing motherhood and careers. I will fight for children just beginning their journey in life. And in so doing pursue the common good with common sense by seeking common ground. [applause]■7 we have all these commitments understand this, weannot spend money we do not have. Pandemicsng from washington have driedin up. Inflation did not just hit families, i hit State Government operations as well. Its up to all of this to have the that use tax dollars creatively and responsibly. I willow discuss how i will tace some of the toughest fiscal issues by caring for migrants and a structurald deficits and next weeks budget speech. But, right now lets talk about how we provide from new yorkers. Starting with the initiatives we inalready announced since the nw year. Last year, infant deaths were up for the first time in 20 years. E three four times more likely to die in childbirth. I wont let this continue on my watch. We must ensure, moms with healthy pregnancies york the fie nation to offer prenatal leave. We must must put them at risk. We are also giving children the to live full, healthy, successful lives. That starts with teaching them how to read. I say to final get rid of debunked curriculum in schools and get back to basics. Using phonics and proven techniques that work. Moting phyl health and wellbeing by building pools in underserved areas and teaching people to swim. [applause] i am proud lieutenant governor, newly created office of service and civic engagement, he and his team will connect to new yorkers who want to give back. Opportunis the state. This is just the start of our comprehensive agenda we will protect theot Environment Fund resiliency efforts make sure hours tightening the bold emission targets we will promote jobs in agriculture and invest in familyowned farms. We will connect to new yorkers with disabilities and Fund Research and rare diseases. Like a that vitality. Ile we addss countless challenges with 204, es 204 policy initiatives in the 2024 st the states which i am sure will find its way to your nightstand this evening. [laughter] today im going to focus on our commonsense items for our agenda. Fighting crime, fixing our Mental Health system and protecting new yorkers hard ea■rned money. [laughter] lets talk about crime if governments cant keep their citizens safe, then nothing else matters. Last year we reduce gun violence bringing shootings down by one third all across the state murders were city, 38 upstate. We made key revisions to make new york safer. We enacted guncontrol legislation thats a model for the rest of the nation. But certain types of crime have been stubbornly high. New yorkers see it every day. Graffiti scrawled outside of synagogue. Plastic panels. A couples argument turns of violent and punctuated byct gunshots. And on the subway, people suffering a mental breakdown or overdose. Episodes like these can cause an atmosphere of anxiety in our communities. But our success in driving down gun violence proves. Targete wog trends is indeed possible. So today we are unveiling tactis alongside and eric defining a Mental Health initiative. So new yorkers can live free from chaos and disorder. Focus on the things in life that imatter most. First, we must ensure everyone is safe at home by protecting them from Domestic Violence. The press coverage. But new yorkers are much more likely to be hurt by someone they know one third of assaults the attacker and the victim have a prior relationship. Our system fails to many survivors. In new york city alone 84 of Domestic Violence arrests and with dismissals, think about that. Hen before it last year, too many had access to guns so we change thehe law. [applause] now the Supreme Court is poised to possibly overturn a law keeps guns away from the abusers. We need strength and protection its more urgent now than ever before. [applause] you may have heard me talk about my mother grew up in a homework Domestic Violence was routine. She dedicated her life to survivors to break the cycle of traumad we note prosecuting violent abusers is the best way to protect survivors. Is here with us today, elizabeth please stand. [applause] elizabeth lives right across the river in troy. Not long ago she was trapped in an abusive relationship. She andfe her pets at regular abuse at the hands of her exboyfriend he killed one of her kittens, maimed another and. Da veterinarian told her about unity houseve a nonprofit that eventually she met Police Protector russ who is also joining us detective . [applause] thank you. Thank you. He helped elizabeth find the strength to pursue justice and file charges. He stood by her side at the d with his support elizabeth has made a clean break from her abuser and is rebuilding her life. Les give them both around of applause. [applause] [applause] i went to hear more hopeful storie like this. Thats how we are dedicating 28 million of district attorneys can gather evidence tr guns away. [applause] we are committing more funding so police can protect those most at risk of abuse clamped down on repeat offenders because every survivor should get the same chance to break the chain of violence and build a new life. Across our nation and our state retail theft has surged creating fear among the customers and the workers. Thieves items off the shelf and menace employees. Owners go broke replacing broken windows business. These attacks are nothing more than a breakdown of the social order. I say no more the chaos must end. [applause] for the very first time where launching a joint operation forr an federal, state, and a local Law Enforcement along with the brandnew state police unit to cracklo down on organized retail theft. As i have said will use this approach with legal guns and it worked. Im also proposing to help those Business Owners with a tax credit cover the security costs. I will workur with the legislate to strengthen penalties for assaulting fostering mine. Lets get it done. Lets back our businesses. Back ourwo businesses and workes with the full force of the law and punish those who think they can break the rules with impunity. This extends to thend Illegal Cannabis of vendors who flagrantly violate our laws. We will empower localities to go after the unlicensed shop prosecute businesses that sell to minors and padlocked their doors faster. [applause] finally, regarding crime and want to talk about hate crime. Particularly the rising tide of antisemitism and islamic nc phobia. Since the horrific attack by hamas against israel october 7, there been a roughly 95 increase in hate crimes against jewish residents of new york city. We are seeing a surge of anti muslim hate crimes as well. Our neighbors are being targeted in playgrounds and synagogues and mosques and on college campuses. And i will not rest until every jewish and muslim child feels safe going to school. Or entering a house of worship. We propose to make more than two assaults to graffiti eligible for prosecution as hate crimes. This means enhanced liability, sentences and ultimately it for what is right. We will protect the people of this state. [applause] we will carry this a fight until every new yorker feels safe att home, at prayer and network. But no matter how m spend on Law Enforcement or expanding their powers, new yorkers will not be able to let their guard our Mental Health system. [applause] is the truth from brooklyn to buffalo many new yorkers are suffering Mental Illness does not discriminate touches the rich and the poor. Reaches into schools and Senior Citizens with the Senior Centers with the same severity. Even our First Responders are suffering. Their experience on the wrong expose them to horrific circumstances. And that suici enforcement are 60 higher than the rest of the population. And too often the people involved in violent incidents under streets and subways are victims themselves. Victims of a system that failed to provide them the treatme nee. High quality care must be widely available, accessible and affordable. [applause] yet, forades or de prioritize and defunded. Over the 10 years before he took office of funding for Mental Health was only by 2 but not even keeping up withit inflatio. The results psychiatric bed to refute Mental Health practitioners, and bowing support systems. Combine this with the pandemic isolation opioid addiction the toxic algorithms that govern social media. It is no wonder we have such a serious problem on our hands. Make no mistake, this is the defining challenge of our t tim. That is why my Administration Working in partnershipsh with Ts Legislature has already made on precedented suit Mental Health care a 33 increase from just over the last two years it. You boosted spending by 1 billion last year alone. Hundreds of millions of dollars into outpatient communitybased services create more than 3500 Housing Units are people suffering from Mental Illness. Inpatient stacking beds by 1000 and initiate sleeping measures help our children includingg millions for suicide prevention, eating clinics. Focusing on our kids is everything. It is critical because they are our most Precious Resource investing in Mental Health services for the young means they will be rel■ated to a lifetime of needing care later on. When schools closed during the pandemic, kids turno media to stay connected with friends and family. But a darkness lives on those platforms. Content often promotes sadness, alienation, even suicide. The algorithms that make social media so addictive push that darkness onto young users. Im thinking about new yorkers like alex who grew up on lon. Sheet joint instagram when she was only 11 years old and immediately the algorithm started suggesting s images and videos about eating disorders on themes promoting low self worth. By the time she was 15 young alex was spiraling. She was losing weight. She did not sleep. Her life was not hers anymore it belong to the algorithm. After her parents intervened and after two weeks of a psychiatric facility without heremerged a co assert herself again. 9[ today she advocates for other young people at risk dreams of the day of testifying before congress about the dangers of social media. [applause] believe it or not is one of thes her mother, kathleen is here with us today, kathleen please stand. [applause] thank you. Here is what kathleen says. Social media is a silent killer of our childrens generation. According to the cdc, one in 14 have considered suicide. Double the figure just a decade a