New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) delivered her State of the State address on Tuesday, January 14, in Albany, a speech that drew both commendation and reproach from Catholic organizations.

Gov. Hochul, who is Catholic, was giving her fourth such speech in office, having taken the position in August 2021 after former governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. She won election to a full four-year term in 2022.

“The Governor’s focus on affordability for New York’s working families was very important. Many New Yorkers, including our parishioners and Catholic school parents, are struggling to make ends meet,” Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, told The Good Newsroom by email. Monsignor Sullivan attended the State of the State speech.

“Tax credits, school meal programs, and other initiatives to relieve financial burdens on hard-working families are most welcome. It was encouraging that the governor mentioned the drain high rent takes. Hopefully, this results in additional assistance being available when this year’s budget is passed. Stable housing is a basic need that supports families and aids children in learning in school.”

The New York State Catholic Conference (NYSCC), which represents the bishops of New York State in public policy matters, took issue with the governor’s continued support for abortion.

“While we were thrilled to see the Governor prioritize an expansion of the Empire State Child Tax Credit in her Executive Budget, a look at her entire proposal reveals a familiar disappointment,” said Kristen Curran, director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference, in a statement.

“Despite acknowledging New Yorkers’ concerns about affordability, Governor Hochul will once again seek to funnel millions of dollars to the abortion industry while families struggle to put food on the table. The very first healthcare initiative in her budget outline is to ‘sustain the reproductive freedom and equity grant fund,’ which is little more than a slush fund for abortionists in the state. Since she assumed office, the Governor has unilaterally allocated $35 million to abortion providers, which primarily has benefited Planned Parenthood. Incredibly, that organization has been unable to sustain operations and has closed facilities, despite being handed enormous sums of money by the State of New York,” Curran said. 

“That Governor Hochul would continue to pour resources into an entity that cannot manage funds while everyday New Yorkers struggle, is deeply disappointing. Women and families need compassionate solutions to lift the vulnerable out of poverty, truly address women’s health, support families, and provide babies and children with the resources they need to thrive. Governor Hochul notably has promoted policies that have made substantial positive progress in all of these areas, which we applaud. New Yorkers would be well served if she maintained that focus and didn’t redirect finite state resources to propping up failing Planned Parenthood clinics,” Curran concluded.

Earlier this month, the NYSCC praised Gov. Hochul for expanding the child tax credit, and also for supporting paid time for expectant mothers to schedule and receive prenatal care. However, the NYSCC also cautioned that the same time off could be used for abortions.

The governor of New York is required by the state’s constitution to present an annual update to the legislature regarding the state’s current overall status.