Senator Brouk on Governor Hochul’s State of State Address

“Since taking office, I have worked to improve our quality of life in the 55th Senate District by transforming mental health care and crisis response in New York State. I welcome Governor Hochul’s collaborative approach to working with legislators and look forward to the work we will do together in 2022.

“I am encouraged that Governor Hochul understands the current crisis facing our mental health care system and how the problems caused by it are intersectional in nature: unmet need affects our schools, the safety of our communities and chronic homelessness. The governor proposed historic investments in our frontline healthcare workers with a focus on recruitment and retention, and I will work to ensure this investment in our health care workers includes our mental health care workers. 

“Governor Hochul spoke of substantial infrastructure investments, and as Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I know that our mental health infrastructure is also in need of modernization. I will work to ensure we are funding the commitment we made to our friends and family in need of crisis support, seeking funding for the legislation I sponsored creating a  9-8-8 mental health lifeline in our New York State Budget. I also look forward to discussing the governor’s mental health proposals in the context of Daniel’s Law, a transformational bill proposing statewide and regional councils to ensure crisis response fits the needs of the communities served. 

“The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated unmet mental health care needs in New York State. The time is now for us to invest in a more responsive behavioral health care system that provides for those in need of emotional support, and I look forward to working towards this goal with Governor Hochul, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and my colleagues in the legislature.”