Hochul celebrates social media law win, but faces lowest favorability rating ever

Gov. Kathy Hochul has celebrated one of her biggest political wins of the year Thursday, signing a package of social media bills she says will help combat online addiction.

But the victory lap comes as a new poll was released, revealing dismal favorability figures for Hochul — her lowest approval rating since taking office.

It also comes as a federal judge gives congestion pricing supporters a new win — late Thursday, three of the New York-based lawsuits filed against the program were dismissed.

Signing a legislative package aimed at cracking kids’ social media addictions, Hochul was surrounded by the legislation’s supporters, including State Attorney General Letitia James and the head of the powerful teachers’ union, Michael Mulgrew.

“We said we would take up this cause and that we would win and that’s what we did here today,” Hochul said at the United Federation of Teachers headquarters in Lower Manhattan.

The new laws try to restrict when and how minors interact when using apps like Instagram and TikTok, and penalize companies that use or sell personal data without consent.

Now, the attorney general must decide how social media companies will verify a user’s age and how she’ll enforce the law.

When asked how long she thinks it’ll take for the laws to take effect, James said, “As long as it takes, we want to make sure we get it right.”

The laws are popular among registered voters, according to a new Siena College Poll — unlike Gov. Hochul. That same analysis shows she’s hit a record-low unpopularity.

“She has the lowest favorability rating and the lowest job approval rating that she’s had in the nearly three years that she’s been governor,” Steve Greenberg, a Siena College pollster, said.

Forty-nine percent of voters view her unfavorably compared to just 38% who give her a thumbs up. When asked if she provides New Yorkers with decisive leadership, 44% said she does not and 36% said she does.

The results follow her surprise decision to pause congestion pricing.

“I don’t know that voters know that she’s responsible for it,” said Greenberg, adding that regardless, voters agree with the move. “There is no partisan divide: 46% of Democrats, 45% of Republicans, 43% of independents — strong pluralities of all three groups, support her decision,” Greenberg said.

But Hochul is still facing heat. The MTA is halting Second Avenue Subway construction thanks to the decision. And a new study says New York might lose nearly $10 billion in federal funding tied to 95 transit projects.

“I have been in contact with the federal administration, Department of Transportation, to ensure that the funding commitments that they have to projects that are on the books right now will continue,” Hochul told reporters Thursday. “Second Avenue Subway would not have started today, OK? Let’s be realistic.”

Hochul faces possible lawsuits from those who say the pause is illegal. And despite the federal judge dismissing several cases, others still exist — including one from the New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

It’s up to James to decide whether she will defend Hochul or go against her.

“We defend the state of New York and we’re taking into consideration any litigation, and we haven’t made a decision in regards to our position,” James said.