Local state legislators welcome Hochul in new era at State Capitol

Gov. Kathy Hochul

Local state legislators are all welcoming Kathy Hochul as the state’s new governor and wishing her the best in leading the state’s government.

Hochul is a Democrat who previously represented part of Western New York, including Orleans County, in Congress. She is well connected with local officials through her time in Congress and in nearly seven years as lieutenant governor.

The local state legislators – Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda, Steve Hawley of Batavia, and Micke Norris of Lockport – are all Republicans who have been frequent critics of Andrew Cuomo when he was governor.

Ortt, the State Senate Republican leader, issued this statement: “Congratulations to our new Governor and Western New York native Kathy Hochul on her inauguration as New York’s 57th Governor, and the first female to hold the office in state history. I am looking forward to working with this new administration to try to improve the lives of New Yorkers all across the state.

“Governor Hochul takes office in the face of many challenges. It is my hope that she will work with elected leaders in both parties to address pressing issues like the pandemic, rising crime, continued outmigration and other threats to the future of our state. Saving our state will require input from across the political spectrum, not just the most radical voices from one region of our state.”

Assemblyman Norris said: “Our state begins a welcomed new chapter, turning the page on a dark period in our history. It is special for us here in Western New York to see one of our own now become governor for the first time in over a century and to hold the distinction as our state’s first female governor.

“I would like to congratulate Gov. Kathy Hochul, and I welcome the opportunity to continue working with her to restore trust and confidence back at our state Capitol and to deliver on Western New York priorities.

“Though I am upbeat about a new beginning in Albany, I remain skeptical that downstate-driven progressive policies will continue to be advanced in the new administration. I am more than willing to work in a bipartisan manner with Gov. Hochul on mutual matters of concern such as infrastructure and ethics reform, but please know that I also will proudly stand up for my constituents and our region when needed to voice our displeasure on radical left wing agenda items such as “bail reform” that negatively impact our state.”

Assemblyman Hawley issued this statement: “By swearing in a new governor, I remain hopeful we can use this moment as an opportunity to correct the course set by our former executive.

“Given her experience in local and county government, I hope that her tenure will be free of the burdensome mandates on small businesses, schools, places of worship, and other institutions which characterized her predecessor’s style of leadership and were so harmful to the people of our state.”