Syracuse-area Assemblymember Pam Hunter says she feels full of pride today to see fellow upstate new Yorker Kathy Hochul elevated to the highest office in the state after being sworn in as Governor.
“We’ll have representation who will be able to really speak knowledgably about the issues that affect people outside of the city. And she’s a woman. This is great.”
Though, Hunter is quick to add it’s unfortunate that we’re still talking about “firsts” for women in government in 2021. She says now it’s time to give Governor Hochul a chance to succeed.
“We have turned a corner on some things that have taken a lot of space and time with these past several months. Not just with Covid, but with the serious issues that have faced the governor, and I think we need to move past that. There are significant issues that are affecting people across the state, and those need to be the focus for us to move forward.”
That includes the eviction moratorium that expires next week.
“There are thousands of people who are still in rears with rent. Landlords have gone for a long period of time without money. That’s going to be one of her most pressing issues getting the money out the door. It’s taken months in order for us to get this process in place for money to get out the door.”
The state received $2.7 billion in rent relief funding from the federal government in April, but the state only began rolling out the application process in June. The program will cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent and utilities accrued since March 13, 2020 for those who meet certain income and hardship eligibility measures.