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ALBANY, NY (WNY News Now) — During Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State Address, she hinted at talking about reforming bail reform in New York.
In the address, Governor Hochul acknowledged that there has been no aspect of the discussion around public safety more controversial than bail reform.
Specifically, local law enforcement officials have called for more judicial discretion in setting bail for crimes basing determinations on a case-by-case basis rather than a broad standard.
Hochul did not specifically outline amendments she may consider, but instead, doubled down on the first intention of the law.
“As with so much in politics today, the conversation quickly turns to a debate between two opposing camps with no common ground. But I believe there are several things we can agree upon,” said Governor Hochul. “First, that the size of someone’s bank account should not determine whether or not they sit in jail, or go home, even before they have been convicted of a crime. That was the goal of bail reform. It was a righteous one, and I stand by it.”
Governor Hochul says as leaders, they cannot ignore that they hear so often from New Yorkers that crime is a top concern. She urges her partners in the legislature to have a thoughtful conversation during the budget process about improvements they can make to the law.
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