BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – What sort of impact will Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul have on Western New York as the head of the state?
Specifics details are unknown given the current budget in place in New York, though she is expected to have a major influence on next year’s budget negotiations.
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For now, her appointment serves as a source of civic pride for Western New Yorkers. She is the first Western New Yorker to lead the state since Grover Cleveland in the 19th century. Hochul will also be the first woman to ever be governor of the state.
“She’s been very involved in the programs and progress that we’re seeing in New York State and seeing here in Buffalo and Western New York,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said. “She will be able to step in on day one and do a good job.”
Brown and other elected officials said Hochul is one of the hardest working lieutenant governor’s in the history of the state. She’s lauded her for her experience, which includes being an elected official at all levels of government.
“It can mean only good things,” Hamburg Town Supervisor Jim Shaw said about Hochul, who served on the Hamburg Town Board from 1995 to 2007.
“She’s got a lot on her plate –62 counties in this state…so she has a lot to consider. But we’re grateful our hometown friend and former colleague is going to be the next governor of the state. That’s a pretty big deal.”
Both Brown and Shaw were complimentary of Governor Andrew Cuomo for prioritizing the region more than his predecessors and are hopeful she will continue that trend. Brown does not think Hochul in power will influence the upstate-downstate dynamics but said it will remain fair.
“Kathy, I think, will carry on that commitment,” Shaw said. “By the same token, she’s got to broaden her base of support and do so between now and the 2022 elections, should she decide to run on her own for governor.”
What kind of leader will she be like in Albany?
In her current role, Hochul has traveled across most of New York State mostly advocating on behalf of the Cuomo administration. This includes attending ribbon cutting ceremonies and highlighting state projects.
Once she takes over as governor, she will be the one making the decisions.
Tom Quatroche, ECMC’s President and CEO who has known Hochul for 30 years. Both were on the Hamburg Town Board for over a decade. He praised her for her love of public service and said she has integrity and leadership abilities.
“She listens to people,” Quatroche said. “That’s a big skill. You have to be able to listen to the people you serve…Public service is not work for her. She really enjoys it and she enjoys getting to serve her constituents.”
Quatroche described her as a “fierce fighter” during her days on the Hamburg Town Board, specifically on development projects. He also said she fought for Medicare during her days in Congress and, most recently, made sure this region’s voice was heard with her involvement in the local vaccine hub.
Hochul will be sworn in as acting governor on August 24.