"Hochul's Strong Hand: Navigating the Blame Game and Suburbs-Approved Plans"
After Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, state Sen. Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris criticized her housing plan, which aims to create incentives for localities to build more housing units. Hochul publicly shamed the Legislature for not approving her expansive housing plan last year and is now pushing for a new proposal driven by incentives and tax abatement programs. However, legislators argue that last year's goals were too ambitious, and Hochul's top policy advisor on housing, Michah Lasher, announced his candidacy for a state Assembly seat, potentially impacting the governor's proposal development.