Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul is a Guest on CBS This Morning

Interview

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Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on CBS This Morning.

A rush transcript of the Governor's interview is available below:

Anthony Mason: Governor, good morning. Welcome.

Governor Hochul: Good morning. Thanks for having me on the show.

Anthony Mason: When you say you're committed to changing the culture in Albany, New York State Capitol, how do you intend to do that?

Governor Hochul: Well, first of all, I've ordered that every single state employee has to do an in-person sexual harassment and ethics training. That is not the case now. Everyone's familiar with the dynamic where there's requirements you have training and everyone clicks through on their computer and says they've done it. that's not happening. I want to make sure people have no excuses that they understand what our policies are. Also, I'm going to lead by example. I'm going to personally make sure that every young woman, women of all ages who work in this environment, as well as members of the LGBTQ community who often feel they've been preyed upon by others, I want everyone to know that my administration is going to be open, transparent, and an environment where people can just do their jobs without fear of harassment. And anyone who crosses the line, they're going to have to deal with me. There's no tolerance for anyone who abuses their positions and that's the message I'm sending. But I'm not just going to talk the talk. I'm going to make sure we walk the walk so at the end of my terms that people understand there's been a huge change in culture, and it's starting day one.

Anthony Mason: You've also said you're going to make COVID obviously a top priority and you said New Yorkers can expect new vaccine requirements. What are you planning?

Governor Hochul: Well, first of all, parents are very stressed out about school right around the corner. I'm a mom. I can understand the stress levels are off the charts. So we have to first of all have mandatory masks, which is something that is not universally popular, but I think it's an important step toward getting safety in schools. We've also announced a very aggressive testing program available to students and teachers, $585 million dedicated to that, as well as a partnership with Rite Aid. When it comes to vaccinations, what I mentioned before I have authority to do as governor. I don't have the executive power to mandate vaccinations in schools. But I'll be working closely to come to that conclusion by teaming up with our partners in the education community and our school superintendents and school boards. This has to happen because this has gone on too long. Our children need to be back in school. They need to be back in the normal learning environment because we've lost too much time, particularly for children in Black and brown communities, those who come from impoverished neighborhoods. They already start out with strikes against them and we cannot let this continue. We need them back in school.

Gayle King: You certainly are setting a new tone, governor. congratulations to you in the governor's office.

Governor Hochul: Thank you.

Gayle King: But there seems to have been a tsunami of reports of negativity about the toxicity in the governor's office. You worked with Andrew Cuomo for several years. Were you just not aware of what was happening in his office?

Governor Hochul: Well, I had the title of lieutenant governor. That did not mean we worked side by side. In fact, I determined early on that the governor had his own way and I had my way. It's no secret that we were not close for the last seven years. We actually run separately for governor and lieutenant governor in the primary. So that all being said, everyone knew that. What I've done as lieutenant governor is take the messages and learning from what other people are doing all around the state. I've been to all 62 counties every year. So I spend very little time in the rooms where this whole culture was festering. But I know that there's a lot of good people who want to stay in government. I want to create a different environment and let them to know it's a whole new day here in Albany.

Gayle King: You dropped the microphone I thought in your conference yesterday. You said, "I have the confidence, I have the courage, I have the ability to lead New York, I'm direct, straight-talking and decisive. Are you making a lot of personnel changes in your office now?

Governor Hochul: Yes, I am. As I said from the outset, no tolerance for anyone who crosses the line, and people who are named in the report by the attorney general outlining the allegations of sexual harassment and the proof that went with that, they're gone. I'm going to make sure that we clean house and bring in a fresh perspective, as well as keeping some people who have been working, toiling very hard in their respective jobs in different cabinets, letting them know that there's a different culture, different environment, and I welcome some to stay. So I'll be taking the next 45 days to assemble my team. It's a shorter than normal transition period. But I'm going to attract the best and the brightest. That is my goal, and people who also share my values of working hard for the people of this state, letting them know they can trust the government. But literally creating a different culture. And at the end of my legacy, I want that to be part of what people talk about, is that we made tremendous progress in changing what's evolving which right now is not great.

Anthony Mason: All right, governor. We're having some audio issues.

Gayle King: Can you hear us, governor?

Governor Hochul: I can hear you. You can't hear me?

Anthony Mason: All right, we've got to go.

Gayle King: All right, Governor Hochul. We thank you. Congratulations. You woke up this morning, the first woman governor in the State of New York. It's really nice to have you on. We hope to have you back when our audio problems are worked outon your end or our end. It's a mistake.

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