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Governor Kathy Hochul has raised concerns about the impact of tariffs on New York's rural areas. She noted that fewer Canadians are visiting, affecting local businesses like hotels and restaurants. Additionally, New York farmers are struggling with increased costs for materials they typically source from Canada.
Governor Hochul also addressed the potential closure of rural hospitals, attributing this to President Trump's recent spending bill, which was approved by Congress. The bill, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," has sparked controversy due to its significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts could result in over 1.5 million New Yorkers losing health insurance and 300,000 households losing SNAP benefits.
Governor Hochul has criticized the bill, stating, "No state can fully undo the damage in this bill or backfill cuts of this scale." She emphasized the potential harm to New York's healthcare system, which could face an annual impact of $13 billion.
The tariffs have also impacted the North Country's economy, where tourism and agriculture are vital industries. Governor Hochul highlighted that one in four tourism jobs is at risk due to reduced Canadian visitors, and the agriculture sector, which supports over 8,600 jobs, is also threatened.
Critics of the bill argue that it prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy over essential services. Governor Hochul has vowed to protect New Yorkers, stating, "Your family is my fight."