Political analyst: Hochul should focus on economy, COVID-19 restrictions once sworn in

All eyes are on Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is set to be sworn in at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, becoming the first woman to lead the state of New York.
Political analyst Mike Dawidziak says people will want to hear Hochul talk about the economy and how she will handle COVID-19 restrictions.
Hochul has been asked about mask mandates and said, "People should be ready."
Hochul has made several trips to Long Island and many of them have been about infrastructure, downtown revitalization, and economic development.
Eric Alexander, of Vision Long Island, recently founded LI Main Street Alliance with 45 different downtowns participating. Hochul attended several of his events.
"Seems to care about local government certainly with her downtown revitalization initiative, supported investment in our downtown communities and that's really important to folks here," says Alexander.
Hochul made two senior appointments. Karen Keogh, who was born in Nassau County, will be Secretary to the Governor. Keogh has worked with Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and JPMorgan Chase. Elizabeth Fine will be Counsel to the Governor. Fine has worked with the Empire State Development, New York City Council, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and former President Bill Clinton.
"She is picking people with very deep roots in both Democratic party and government experience on all levels and that's what she has to do, there's no time for on-the-job training," says Dawidziak.