Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was back in Western New York on Friday, as she gave a preview of her upcoming "State of the State" address, while also discussing her upcoming inflation rebate plan.
Hochul says inflation in New York State has created a $3 billion surplus in sales tax revenue, and believes giving it back to middle-class families will help alleviate some of the financial burdens they are forced to deal with.
"Money should be going back into your pockets. Families earning less than $300,000 will get $500 more. Single individuals will have $300 more to go shopping at a Tops, help pay their bills, help set aside a little bit of money and just take some of that stress off for a time when they can have other things to worry about," said Hochul on Friday. "That's who I'm going to continue fighting for as governor."
Hochul explains that she will continue to fight rising inflation costs as says that she's already done so in the past by increasing minimum wage and giving tax-breaks to middle and lower class residents.
"We put money back in people's pockets for everything from food to telling them that we'd have money for their heating costs. I understand that this isn't going to solve all problems, but it's acknowledgement that money back in your pocket the people of New York is where it belongs, not in the state coffers. I want them to have it. I want to relieve the stress for at least a short time, but also all the other policies that I've done already, but will continue to do. The inflation, I ensured that we are the first place, first time ever that our minimum wages that went up also went up with the rate of inflation," Hochul stated. "We did that even before inflation was an issue. So your wages, if you're a minimum wage earner, go up higher if inflation goes up higher."
New York's 2025 State of the State Address is set for Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. EST.