Syracuse, NY – The following is a statement from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado: 

“This is not the first time Governor Hochul has demeaned Black communities with her words. Last year, she claimed young Black kids in the Bronx didn’t even know what the word ‘computer’ was. Now, from the pulpit of a predominantly Black church, she warns families not to spend their rebate checks at the liquor store. 

“That’s a pattern — and it’s racist. It reduces whole communities to harmful stereotypes and strips away the dignity of parents and children alike. Words matter, especially when they come from the highest office in our state. 

“Black families in the Bronx, Buffalo, and across New York don’t need lectures or insults. They need respect. They need investment. They need a governor who will fight for affordable housing, universal childcare, and healthcare for all — the real tools to build a better future.” 

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