Let’s face it, the cost of living isn’t cheap. Whether you’re buying groceries, paying rent, or juggling childcare, it can feel like your paycheck is stretched to the limit every week. But Governor Kathy Hochul is committed to improving the quality of life for you and the more than 20 million residents of New York State. She fought for and delivered a state budget that puts you first and makes New York a more affordable and livable state.
We call it the Affordability Agenda and here’s what it means for you: more money in your pocket, less stress on your wallet, and real investments in your future. We know that too many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet. As the federal government continues to play with reckless and unauthorized tariffs that have burdened businesses with skyrocketing costs that have been passed along to consumers, the Governor’s Affordability Agenda is centered around making life easier for New Yorkers.
As secretary of state, I travel all over New York. I talk directly to local leaders and residents from the North Country to Long Island, to Syracuse, Buffalo, Mid-Hudson, New York City, and many communities in between, and they all tell me the same thing: “We need help.” Prices are up, inflation continues, and Washington’s economic policies are making things worse — but here in New York, we’re not waiting around. We’re taking action. It’s our job.
The Governor’s Affordability Agenda recently passed through the New York State Budget, delivering victories on issues that working families care about most. The FY26 State Budget was a battle for the governor, who fought for real relief, especially for middle- and low-income New Yorkers who go out every day to make ends meet for their families.
What does all this mean for you?
Here is just some of the relief coming your way:
- Inflation refund checks of up to $400, putting money in the pockets of more than 8 million New York households.
- Lower middle-class taxes, with $1 billion annually in tax relief to 8.3 million families.
- Expanded child tax credit that provides up to $1,000 per child to 1.6 million families, which since 2023 has included children under age 4.
- Free school meals for more than 2.7 million students.
- Safer and more affordable childcare through big investments that help both parents and providers.
- $15/month high-speed internet access for low-income households, helping close the digital divide.
- $2.5 billion in STAR rebates to provide relief to homeowners.
- The most consequential statewide housing plan in decades, so families have access to affordable housing and homeowners and renters are protected throughout our state.
- Added jobs and boosted tuition assistance, education funding, and public transit investments to the highest levels in history so families have the best opportunities for success.
And we’re not stopping there. Governor Hochul is also committed to making New York the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation.
The governor’s economic development and workforce proposals include new access to low-interest capital for small businesses, free community college for adults pursuing degrees in high-demand fields, enhancing the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit with a new tier for semiconductor supply chain companies, and protecting workers from wage theft.
Let’s focus on the free tuition. Right now, more than 400,000 jobs are available in the State of New York. At the same time, more than 4 million adults ages 25 to 55 don’t have a college degree or credential, which is often the key to unlocking better-paying jobs.
Here’s what we’re going to do. The state is going to pay for community college for those adults ages 25 to 55 who are studying to be in one of the in-demand fields, such as healthcare, education, or technology, because we know it’s often the cost that is the barrier. If you’re working for minimum wage and you’re trying to pay for childcare, and then maybe cover the cost of a community college to lift yourself up, it just doesn’t add up. With this plan, you won’t have to choose between them.
We’re also investing big in our small businesses and downtowns. The Affordability Agenda works hand in hand with the successful economic development programs we already have in our state, like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, to boost local businesses; improve housing; and create places where people want to live, work, and play. With this year’s budget, we will also continue offering millions of dollars for communities in every region of our state to bring their downtowns into the 21st century.
As of today, we have awarded more than $1 billion to more than 124 cities, towns, and villages around the state. In New York City, Harlem was one of the winners of this program and we are working to help make it a great renaissance story of the city. We also have other communities, such as Jamaica, Far Rockaway, Long Island City in Queens, and other areas in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan’s Chinatown, that are already seeing big differences in their communities because of these programs.
With the FY26 Budget and Governor Hochul’s 2025 Affordability Agenda, we are rewriting the New York story. This budget is about building a state where working families don’t just survive, they thrive.
This is more than a policy plan and a budget: It’s a promise to continue fighting for the working people and families in New York State and to make life more affordable for everyone.