New York taxpayers will be picking up the bill for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s trip to Israel last week, her office told Gothamist Thursday.
The governor’s office had initially refused to name the organization that committed to covering Hochul’s portion of the trip. Avi Small, a spokesperson for the governor, said in a statement that the UFA-Federation of New York offered to pay for Hochul and her staff to travel to the Middle East as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold. Instead of waiting for the state’s ethics commission to approve the arrangement for a trip that already occurred, Small said the state would be stepping in to pay instead.
“Rather than delaying the process until the Commission’s November 2023 meeting or whenever they are able to issue a formal determination, the State will cover the costs of the Governor’s trip in an effort to avoid further delay and uphold the highest ethical standards,” Small said in an email.
Small did not reveal the full cost of the trip, which included Hochul, four aides and her full security detail, but said it fell within the five-figure range.
Earlier this week, the governor said the state was picking up the tab for her state police detail. State police officials declined to say how many troopers accompanied Hochul or what the trip would cost, instead directing Gothamist Wednesday to file a formal request under the Freedom of Information Law for the information.
“Gov. Hochul is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and being a careful steward of taxpayer funds,” Small said.
Hochul was on the ground in Israel last week on Wednesday and Thursday, where she met with dignitaries and the families of victims of the Hamas attacks.
The UJA-Federation of New York — along with the Jewish Community Relations Council — had paid for Mayor Eric Adams’ trip to Israel in late August, Politico reported.
Small noted that Hochul’s office had notified the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government…
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