Hochul courts unlikely voters, says Epstein files should be released

And she has an "enormous source of frustration" with the state Legislature.

Good afternoon — it’s Thursday and Tattoo Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• Here’s what Hochul had to say Thursday about Jeffrey Epstein and whether ICE officers should wear masks.

• There is one potential idea to save spending that Hochul said is “an enormous source of frustration” with the state Legislature.

• The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority is proposing a 10% toll increase on the bridges and tunnels it controls.

• The state Department of Health may require public water systems to bolster their cybersecurity, a cost that would not come cheap.

• A new bill would give the New York City Council the power to raise taxes on high-income earners by up to 2%.

• Another new bill would allow state lawmakers to conceal their address from the public after the murder last month of a legislator in Minnesota.

Names in today’s CapCon: Kathy Hohul, Donald Trump, Chuck Lavine, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Roxanne Persaud

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(Will Waldron/Times Union)

☑️ Hochul says she talked to Trump about the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Gov. Kathy Hochul held a cabinet meeting in Albany Thursday to discuss the state’s strategy on the looming cuts anticipated from the federal government as a result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

The long and short of it is that, for now, she’s asked state agencies to find areas where costs could be cut.

But between now and January, she’ll also be thinking about how the state could further reduce spending and raise revenue to fill the $3 billion gap projected from the new federal law. Most of that comes from changes in health care spending.

"This gives us the time to really pressure test a lot more ideas and consider options," Hochul said.

She’s apparently spoken to President Donald J. Trump about the impact of the new law in what she said were “cordial” conversations.

“I’ve been very candid with the president about these impacts,” Hochul said. “The relationship is cordial enough to have a conversation.”

But she has more on her mind than just the state’s fiscal shortfalls. She’s trying to convince voters who’ve backed Republicans in the past to walk away from the party in 2026 over the funding cuts.

“That is what’s going to change people’s minds about where they may have voted in the past,” Hochul said. “We will be sure to make sure everyone knows about that.”

But she also has thoughts on Jeffrey Epstein.