New York

Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature. Governor Hochul signed 713 bills in 2025 and vetoed 140. The Legislature just passed a package limiting ICE cooperation statewide.

But New York is fighting a federal government that indicted its attorney general and cut FEMA payments for migrant housing. The battles here are about whether a blue state can protect its own people when Washington turns against them.

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The federal government tried to destroy New York’s attorney general

Attorney General Letitia James won a civil fraud case against Donald Trump. All five appellate judges upheld the fraud findings. Trump’s response was to send the DOJ after her.

AG Pam Bondi appointed a “special attorney” to investigate James. A federal grand jury probe launched in August 2025. On October 9, 2025, James was indicted on one count of bank fraud and one count of false statements to a financial institution. The charges had nothing to do with the Trump case.

The timeline tells the story. The DOJ opened an investigation, got an indictment from a grand jury, and watched it collapse when a judge ruled the prosecutor wasn’t even legally appointed. Two more grand juries said no.

This is the playbook. Prosecute the prosecutors. Use the DOJ to punish state officials who hold the president accountable. James survived it. Other AGs watching from other states got the message.

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New York is drawing the line on ICE

In May 2026, the Legislature approved a package of immigration protection measures negotiated with Governor Hochul. The bills ban local jails from holding people on behalf of ICE and prohibit 287(g) agreements between local governments and federal immigration enforcement. Sensitive locations are protected from ICE operations without judicial warrants.

Meanwhile, the cost of the migrant crisis keeps climbing. New York City has spent $9.3 billion on asylum seeker services since FY 2023. The state has committed $4.3 billion through FY 2027. FEMA halted payments for migrant housing in New York, shifting costs entirely to city and state taxpayers.

Fiscal Year	NYC Spending
FY 2023	$1.47 billion
FY 2024	$3.75 billion
FY 2025	$3.02 billion
FY 2026 (through March)	$1.10 billion

The state’s FY 2027 budget includes no new appropriations for asylum seekers, relying on previously allocated funds. Spending is projected to drop to $500 million annually by FY 2028, but that assumes federal cooperation that does not exist right now.

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The governor is gutting her own climate law

New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act set two targets for 2030. Cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% from 1990 levels. Generate 70% of electricity from renewables. As of January 2025, emissions had dropped 9%. Not 9% of the way to 40%. Nine percentage points total.

9% emissions reduction achieved toward a 40% target, with four years left

On March 20, 2026, Governor Hochul announced she was rolling the law back. The proposals push the emissions deadline out seven years and delay mandatory regulations until 2030. The cap-and-invest program that was supposed to fund the transition has been repeatedly delayed.

Hochul blamed the Trump administration. Environmental advocates blamed Hochul. Protesters were arrested at the Capitol.

The state authorized $1 billion in annual energy efficiency and building electrification investments for 2026-2030, but that spending cannot close the gap if the targets themselves keep moving.

The question for New Yorkers is whether their own governor will enforce a law she inherited or let it die by delay. The federal government is not going to help. The state Legislature is pushing back. The outcome depends on whether voters and advocates keep pressure on Albany.

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Half of New York City cannot afford rent

A United Way study found that half of NYC residents cannot afford rent without assistance. The city has roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments with a median rent around $1,500, well below market rate. Those units are the only thing standing between millions of New Yorkers and displacement.

Landlords are pursuing demolition to bypass rent regulations. Eviction pressures are rising as city fiscal debates intensify over migrant spending. The Legislature introduced S8444, which would prohibit discrimination based on housing status, but it has not yet passed.

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2026 elections will decide whether New York stays on defense

Governor Hochul faces Bruce Blakeman, Trump’s endorsed candidate, in November. Siena polling from May 2026 puts Hochul ahead 49-33. That margin is comfortable but her favorability has dropped eight points since February.

Race	Candidates	Date	Status
Governor (primary)	Kathy Hochul (D) vs. challengers	June 23, 2026	Hochul has 85% party convention support
Governor (general)	Hochul (D) vs. Bruce Blakeman (R)	November 3, 2026	Hochul leads 49-33 (Siena, May 2026)
NY-4 (Long Island)	Laura Gillen (D)	November 3, 2026	Tossup. Won 2024 by 8,600 votes.
NY-17 (Hudson Valley)	Mike Lawler (R)	November 3, 2026	Tossup. Harris won this district in 2024.

The congressional map matters more than the governor’s race. Up to seven House seats are in play, concentrated on Long Island and in Central New York. NY-4 and NY-17 are true tossups. Laura Gillen won her Long Island seat by 2.3 points. Mike Lawler holds a Hudson Valley district that voted for Kamala Harris.

Flipping even two of these seats changes the math in Washington. New York is one of the few states where Democrats can pick up House seats in 2026. The governor’s race is insurance. The congressional races are offense.

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Protect yourself right now

1. Check your voter registration. The June 23 primary is one month away. Verify your status at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov. The deadline to register for the primary has passed, but you can still register for the November general election.

2. Know your rights if ICE comes to your door. The new state laws ban ICE from sensitive locations without a judicial warrant. You do not have to open the door. You do not have to answer questions. The New York Immigration Coalition has a know-your-rights guide.

3. Contact your state legislators about the climate law. The CLCPA rollback is not final. The Legislature can push back. Call your state senator and assemblymember and ask them to hold the original 2030 targets. Find your representatives at nysenate.gov.

4. Document rent increases. If you are in a rent-stabilized apartment, photograph all lease renewal offers and compare them against the Rent Guidelines Board schedule. Report violations to the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal at hcr.ny.gov.

5. Show up for your congressional district. If you live in NY-4, NY-17, NY-19, or NY-3, your House race is one of the closest in the country. Attend town halls. Ask your representative where they stand on ICE cooperation, climate funding, and housing. These races will shape federal policy.