While they’re both Democratic stars in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez disagree on many policy proposals, like taxing the rich, but they found middle ground Tuesday opposing data center construction.
Just a month from Election Day, Hochul seems to be trying to boost her numbers with left-leaning voters, while Ocasio-Cortez is increasing her political presence upstate.
“This is all part of a larger fight of making New York more livable, more affordable, and better for working families,” Hochul said onsite at Fishkill Farms, which is owned by the son of former Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.
The apple farm would have been too close for comfort to a new data center in East Fishkill if local officials didn’t pass a three-year ban on the project in June.
“People are working harder than ever, while the biggest, most powerful interests are often too often getting the better deal. That will no longer happen on our watch. Our job is not to protect the profits of billion-dollar corporations,” Hochul said.
Hochul’s statewide one-year moratorium is popular.
AOC said she wants to bring that plan to the federal stage.
“We believe that it shouldn’t just be New Yorkers that have their water, their energy and their air protected. But these should be rights available to every American,” she continued.
Less than a month from Election Day, Hochul needs better numbers among city voters, according to recent polls.
Perhaps appearing with an ally of popular Mayor Zohran Mamdani could help.
“I’m proud to have Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez as a partner in this fight. We both believe that communities deserve a say in the decisions that affect their future,” Hochul said.
“You know, to show that we’re aligned on fighting for affordability, we’re aligned on standing up for working men and women, we’re aligned in standing up to the excesses and abuse of the Trump administration. So there’s a lot we can talk about, but also whether we do it together or we divide and conquer. It’s all for the greater good,” the governor continued.
The congresswoman is stumping for Democrats keen on taking back congress, and had choice words for Hochul’s opponent.
Bruce Blakeman appeared at a separate event Tuesday in the Hudson Valley with GOP Rep. Mike Lawler.
“Blakeman is a uniquely dangerous candidate. He wants to turn over the entire state to these tech oligarchs. He wants to turn over the state to data centers with no protections for communities. He wants to cut the entire tax base that funds out schools and our healthcare,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Also mulling her political future, the congresswoman needs to beef up standing among suburban and upstaters, according to polls.
“I’ve been covering the state. She’s covering the state. But I asked her to do as the leader of the Democratic Party. I wanted her to use her voice and her energy to go all over. She’s gone to Buffalo, Syracuse, elsewhere,” Hochul said.
Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
