A tale of two sides: Governor Hochul sounds the alarm over anticipated effects from Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Senator Walczyk calls out Albany Democratic leadership for ‘funding mismanagement’

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul is sounding the alarm over what she calls “detrimental” impacts expected from the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was recently signed into law.

The Governor and fellow Democratic colleagues have referred to the federal legislation as the “Big Ugly Bill,” citing concerns over things like cuts to healthcare and SNAP.

Meanwhile, a state lawmaker who represents the North Country is firing back by pointing out a projected $750 million funding gap. "Instead of scrambling to fill the $750 million hole, the real question is why are we in this situation at all?" said Senator Mark Walczyk.

"New York’s financial woes stem not from the decisions of the Federal Congress and President Trump, but from a bloated budget and corrupt process completely out of line with the needs of real New Yorkers."

In March, the Senator introduced a bill that would ultimately set up a Commission of Government Efficiency, much like DOGE, which was previously introduced at the federal level.

On the other hand, Governor Hochul claims the cuts imposed from the Big Beautiful Bill include an anticipated almost $13 billion impact to New York’s health care system, meaning that up to 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose their health insurance coverage and over 300,000 households are projected to lose some or all of their SNAP benefits.

“Washington Republicans have made it clear, they do not care about safeguarding the lifesaving programs and health care systems that millions of New Yorkers rely on everyday,” Governor Hochul said.

“That’s the reality — but here’s another reality, I will never back down from the fight to protect New Yorkers and the resources that they need to support their families.”

For when it comes to healthcare, Lewis County Health System CEO Gerry Cayer has clarified that there are several different parts of the bill that do not take effect immediately and, instead, will go into effect over the next few years ahead (be sure to listen to part-one of our latest on-air series with CEO Cayer about the Big Beautiful Bill and impacts through the lens of local healthcare).

For the first time in SNAP’s history, the Republican-enacted law mandates that states contribute to the cost of benefits, or risk ending their SNAP programs entirely, the Governor's office claims.

According to Hochul, this move jeopardizes a program that nearly three million New Yorkers rely on to put food on the table.

As a result, New York and local governments are facing up to $1.4 billion in new costs annually.

Albany, NY Capitol image.