In a statement released after the Governor’s speech on Wednesday, advocates at Make The Road NY, which works with immigrant and low-income families in the state, said they were “disappointed that Governor Hochul’s speech failed to include many transformative policy ideas for which immigrants, Black and brown New Yorkers have been calling,” included funding for workers excluded from federal relief, full access to health care for immigrants, and increased tenant protections. The state’s eviction moratorium, which advocates say has helped keep tens of thousands of renters in their homes during the pandemic, is slated to end Jan. 15.

“While we are pleased by the Governor’s commitment to increase funding for some immigrant services, create a new Office of Language Access, and legalize accessory dwelling units, these measures simply are not enough to meet the scale of the needs we face,” Make the Road’s statement said.