In connection with Wishnie’s retirement, County Executive Jenkins announced that current Director of Operations Joan McDonald has been promoted to Deputy County Executive.
2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales.
The governor emphasized the continued strain rising costs place on households and positioned housing production, regulatory reform and tenant protections as central tools to address those pressures.
“Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address brought a refreshing dose of clarity, urgency, and opportunity to New York’s real estate landscape..."
AL BANY—The initial reactions to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s call for reform to the SEQRA environmental review process and other burdensome regulations in her State of the State address from the real estate and business communities were overwhelmingly supportive.
In fact, the leaders of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and the New York State Association of Realtors praised the governor for her initiatives geared at expediting new housing developments and other major energy and economic development projects.
HGAR President Rey Hollingsworth Falu said in a blog post that the governor’s State of the State address “brought a refreshing dose of clarity, urgency, and opportunity to New York’s real estate landscape.”
NYSAR President Ron Garafalo, who served as the 2019 President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, commented: “New York State's nearly 60,000 Realtors support the intent of Governor Kathy Hochul's ‘Let Them Build’ agenda. Changing the culture that currently impedes home building is one key to solving the housing shortage crisis.”
The following are comments from leaders in the political, real estate and business sectors throughout the New York City/Hudson Valley region.
“Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address brought a refreshing dose of clarity, urgency, and opportunity to New York’s real estate landscape. As a broker deeply invested in the future of housing in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and as President of HGAR, I applaud the governor’s laser focus on housing affordability, infrastructure, and sustainable growth. For those of us on the front lines of real estate every day, this address signals real progress.”
He later noted: The governor’s ‘Let Them Build’ initiative takes a direct aim at one of the biggest barriers to housing production: lengthy and inconsistent environmental review processes. By streamlining SEQRA for zoning-compliant projects and setting hard deadlines on environmental impact statements, the state is signaling it’s serious about getting shovels in the ground faster. This change is a game-changer for developers and communities alike. It means more housing options and more certainty for investors, a win in a region where demand continues to outpace supply.”
The 2026 HGAR President supported the governor’s proposals to spend $250 million for affordable housing development, provide funding for innovative manufactured housing, the expansion of land banks, reforms to the J-51 program and increased penalties for harassment in rent-regulated units, which he said will help protect the most vulnerable tenants without discouraging responsible property management. He also highlighted a host of other initiatives included in the State of the State message.
He concluded: “For Realtors across the Hudson Valley, this year’s address aligns strongly with our mission: promoting homeownership, protecting property rights and building inclusive communities. Governor Hochul is clearly listening to stakeholders across the board. At HGAR, we will continue to engage with state leaders to ensure that these proposals result in real, actionable policy.”
“New York State's nearly 60,000 Realtors support the intent of Governor Kathy Hochul's ‘Let Them Build’ agenda. Changing the culture that currently impedes home building is one key to solving the housing shortage crisis. Too many New Yorkers have lost the opportunity for generational wealth accruing from homeownership, but we hope Governor Hochul and state lawmakers can act now before another generation loses out.”
He continued, “Realtors across the state see firsthand how limited housing inventory and rising costs are impacting families, first-time homebuyers, renters, and seniors in every region of New York. From modifying the State Environmental Quality Review process, to supporting the development of more starter homes for young people, NYSAR sees several timely proposals in the Governor's State of the State presentation. As the voice for real estate in New York State, New York's Realtors remain committed to partnering with policymakers on smart, balanced housing initiatives that protect property rights, help build generational wealth, strengthen communities, and expand access to housing statewide. We look forward to reviewing the governor's Executive Budget proposals in detail and working with her administration and the Legislature to advance policies that expand housing opportunities and strengthen affordability.
“We cannot address our housing crisis without making it easier to build housing in New York City. Environmental review reform would bring our regulations into the 21st century and ensure we can deliver an affordability agenda on the timetable needed. I commend Governor Hochul for this commonsense proposal and hope it will be a part of the enacted state budget this year. New Yorkers can't wait any longer for action on housing."
“Local governments are on the front lines of delivering housing, infrastructure, and community improvements, and lengthy, duplicative review processes can slow down projects residents are counting on. Governor Hochul’s proposal to modernize SEQRA recognizes the need to protect our environment while also making it easier for communities to move forward responsibly. By reducing unnecessary delays and improving coordination, these reforms will help lower costs, increase transparency, and allow municipalities like ours to plan and build more effectively. I appreciate the governor’s leadership in advancing thoughtful reforms that support sustainable growth and stronger, more resilient communities.”
“For local governments, time matters. Governor Hochul’s proposal to modernize SEQRA is about cutting through unnecessary delays so communities can move forward on housing, infrastructure, and quality-of-life projects residents have been waiting for. These reforms respect environmental protections while giving cities and towns the tools we need to plan, build, and grow responsibly. I appreciate the governor’s leadership in recognizing that smart reform can strengthen both our environment and our local economies.”
“Local leaders have been calling for SEQRA reform for years, and it’s encouraging to see Governor Hochul listening. I’m cautiously optimistic this proposal can help communities deliver the housing our residents need while cutting unnecessary red tape. Making it easier to build homes is essential to easing costs for everyday New Yorkers and meeting the needs of our constituents.”
“Governor Hochul’s SEQRA reforms are a very important step toward addressing the state’s critical housing shortage. Notwithstanding its noble underpinnings, over the past half-century, SERQRA has become increasingly abused by overuse and modernization is overdue. These reforms do not override local control, and they don’t require communities to change their zoning. Rather, they empower local officials to meet today’s needs.”
“Governor Hochul’s proposal to cut red tape and modernize permitting is a smart, common-sense step for New York. By streamlining outdated processes while preserving environmental protections and public input, these reforms will help Rockland move critical projects forward faster and at a lower cost while simultaneously supporting economic growth across New York State.”
“The BCW has always advocated for SEQR reform. Governor Hochul’s proposal to streamline New York’s permitting and environmental review process is a practical step toward helping communities get projects built more efficiently. By reducing unnecessary delays while maintaining strong environmental safeguards and public engagement, these reforms will lower costs, improve timelines, and support the housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects our region needs.”
“We know that good housing policy and good climate policy go hand in hand, and that well-designed, energy-efficient infill housing that repurposes already-developed sites can help solve our housing shortage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Too often the very projects that would be a net benefit for the environment and the community get ensnared in lengthy, unpredictable, and costly environmental reviews and challenges. We applaud Governor Hochul's leadership in proposing a way to clear these logjams and create incentives for the kind of mildly-dense, sustainably-built housing we need to secure an affordable New York for all who wish to live and work here."
“By modernizing SEQRA, New York can work together to advance job-creating economic development projects more efficiently while maintaining strong environmental protections. These reforms will help attract investment, strengthen regional economies, and ensure communities across the state can grow and thrive. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership on this issue.”
“The SEQRA process has long been in need of reform. It is overly bureaucratic and lengthy. It is great that Governor Hochul will take on this unnecessary contributor to the high cost of housing development in the city.”
“Reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) will help fast-track the smart, sustainable infrastructure our region needs, and we commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her bold leadership in taking on this long-overdue work. For over one hundred years, RPA has focused on one core mission: improving quality of life across the tri-state region by advancing solutions that lead to economic vitality, environmental resilience, and healthy, thriving communities. SEQR modernization will greenlight the housing, energy, and transit investments New Yorkers support, and that our region needs to remain competitive, equitable, and resilient.”
In connection with Wishnie’s retirement, County Executive Jenkins announced that current Director of Operations Joan McDonald has been promoted to Deputy County Executive.
2025 was another tough year for homebuyers, marked by record-high home prices and historically low home sales.
Gov. Hochul will propose to amend the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to exempt certain types of housing projects that have no significant impacts on the environment…
New Yorkers deserve a state where they can raise a family, keep the lights on, and stay rooted in the communities they love.
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