Governor Hochul Talks Affordability Agenda at Crossgates Mall
Meeting with Shoppers at Crossgates Mall
Governor Kathy Hochul met with shoppers at Crossgates Mall on Tuesday to discuss her affordability agenda plans in the 2025 State of the State address. During the meeting, she highlighted her proposal to provide an inflation refund to certain families.
Inflation Refund Plan
The Governor announced that she wants to put $3 billion extra in sales tax, collected due to inflation, back into the pockets of families. She believes this will be a significant step in addressing the financial challenges faced by many households. According to Governor Hochul, "I’ve proposed, and what I want to get through the legislature, is to put $3 billion extra that we’ve collected in sales tax because of inflation and give that back in rebates of $300-$500 per family, so I’m excited about it. People here really want this to happen, so we want to get it done."
Concerns Over PPL Contract
During the meeting, a disability advocate questioned Governor Hochul about the $9 billion contract with Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) to administer a statewide program that pays for personal care assistants to help individuals with disabilities. The advocate expressed concerns about PPL’s performance in other states, including a class-action lawsuit filed by employees in Pennsylvania who claim they were denied overtime pay. The statewide partnership with PPL is set to begin on January 6, 2025, with a completion date of April 1, 2025.
Conclusion
Governor Hochul’s meeting at Crossgates Mall was an opportunity for her to connect with the community and discuss her plans to address the challenges faced by many families. Her proposal for an inflation refund is a step in the right direction, and her commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities is commendable. However, the concerns raised by disability advocates regarding the PPL contract highlight the need for transparency and accountability in government contracts.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the inflation refund plan?
A: The plan is to put $3 billion extra in sales tax, collected due to inflation, back into the pockets of families.
Q: What is the goal of the PPL contract?
A: The goal is to administer a statewide program that pays for personal care assistants to help individuals with disabilities.
Q: What are the concerns about PPL?
A: Disability advocates have raised concerns about PPL’s performance in other states, including a class-action lawsuit filed by employees in Pennsylvania who claim they were denied overtime pay.
