On Tuesday, January 14th, Governor Hochul delivered her 2025 State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the upcoming legislative session. As part of her address, the Governor provided a broad overview of proposals that aim to make New York more affordable for families, increase access to health and behavioral health services, reduce crime and drive economic development.
Some of the major initiatives outlined by the Governor that may be of interest to you are noted below. The Governor’s full State of the State book can be viewed here:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/2025StateoftheStateBook.pdf
In the 2025 State of the State, the Governor announced her intention to propose actions to:
Strengthen local food supply chains by establishing the Food and Fiber Small-Scale Processing Grant Program, maintaining support for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and expanding NY’s supply of locally grown seafood.
Invest in the growth of NY’s fiber production industry.
Integrate agriculture education into the public-school curriculum by offering new funding for the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program.
Provide additional funding to research and implement climate-resilient practices on dairy farms.
Increase Farmworker Housing Program funding to better align resources with demand and help farms provide safer, healthier housing for workers.
Improve the tracking of lost farmland and strengthen capacity within NY’s network of community-led land trusts to effectively manage Environmental Bond Act funds allocated for farmland protection.
Fund land conservation to protect open spaces, farmland, and enhance accessibility.
Launch the Low Interest Capital Program in support of small businesses.
Provide AI training to entrepreneurs and small businesses through the Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers.
Require businesses to notify DOL of worker layoffs related to its use of AI to identify workers that may utilize training programs and supports offered by DOL.
Establish a grant program to help businesses replace high emission refrigeration equipment with low-emission alternatives.
Improving the Jobs Retention Tax Credit Program to support businesses in areas impacted by disasters and emergency events.
A number of these items were addressed in the subsequent budget release.