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Hochul Unveils Affordability Agenda With Universal Child Care Push, Limits on ICE at Sensitive Sites

The proposals now head to budget negotiations that require legislative approval.

Overview

  • She outlined a pathway to universal child care, backing New York City’s 2‑Care rollout for 2‑year‑olds and proposing about $1.7 billion this year to expand child care subsidies.
  • Hochul proposed requiring judicial warrants for civil immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals and houses of worship, creating a state‑court remedy to sue federal agents, and saying state resources will not support raids on people without serious crimes.
  • The plan boosts transit safety with $77 million for NYPD subway patrols, more SCOUT outreach teams, and platform barriers at 85 additional stations.
  • Her “Let Them Build” initiative seeks to streamline the SEQRA process to speed housing and infrastructure projects while keeping local zoning intact.
  • Additional measures include online‑safety and AI restrictions for minors, another SUNY/CUNY tuition freeze, upstate autonomous‑vehicle pilots, a downstate chip design center, higher power rates for energy‑hungry data centers, and eliminating state income tax on tips up to $25,000.