An influx of migrants arriving in New York City over the last year has stretched city resources and strained political relationships among Democratic leaders grappling with an emerging humanitarian crisis.
Kathy Hochul of New York had stayed largely above the fray.
Now, as New York City’s shelter system barrels past a breaking point, Ms. Hochul is confronting an explosive political test that could define her first full term and have ripple effects for national Democrats.
Critics from the left and right have called on Ms. Hochul to take a more hands-on approach to a crisis that defies easy solutions, saying that the migrant state of emergency — which she announced last spring — needs the same sense of urgency as the Covid pandemic.
Ms. Hochul has argued that she has been an active partner in dealing with the crisis all along, even if much of the state’s help has unfolded behind the scenes.
Persons:
Kathy Hochul, Hochul, Eric Adams, Her, Andrew M, Cuomo
Organizations:
Democratic, Gov, Democrats
Locations:
New York City, New York