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Following President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday night, New York government officials warned of the negative implications of his economic and social regulations for the state.

In his address, Trump highlighted his actions in his first month back in office, including tariffs on Canada and Mexico, restrictions to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies, and federal spending cuts. Among the many cuts, Trump pointed to the CHIPS and Science Act, calling the Biden-era policy that aims to strengthen the United States semiconductor industry “wasteful spending.”

The act has generated billions of dollars for Micron Technology’s planned semiconductor fabrication facility in Clay. The company has continued to expand in New York state as a result of the CHIPS Act, with over $100 billion coming from Micron and multiple significant funding commitments from the federal government.

Chuck Schumer, New York senator and the Senate minority leader, said weakening CHIPS will cause thousands to lose their jobs and weaken the American economy, while strengthening top chip manufacturing nations like China.

“CHIPS has already delivered $450 billion in new manufacturing investment and created tens of thousands of new good-paying jobs,” Schumer wrote in a March 5 statement. “People are already feeling the positive impacts and new economic energy in their towns in every corner of America, from Ohio to Arizona.”

Schumer said cutting CHIPS would force U.S. based companies to rely on foreign manufacturers in countries like China — where Trump imposed a 20% tariff on all imports over the weekend.

The act, which was passed in 2022 with bipartisan support, would negatively impact people across the country if repealed, Schumer said. Its bipartisan support has been apparent in central New York.

Former Rep. Brandon Williams, a Republican who represented New York’s 22nd district, advocated for CHIPS during his 2024 campaign. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said at a November event in Syracuse that Republicans would “probably” try to repeal it. Trump has made no move thus far to dismantle the act.

Rep. John Mannion, who defeated incumbent Williams in November, has repeatedly asserted his commitment to the act.

New York state Senator Christopher Ryan said he felt disappointed by Trump’s call to repeal the act, calling CHIPS an investment in the future of American industry in a Wednesday statement.

“I believe in the transformational power of this project, and I stand with our skilled trades workers,” Ryan wrote. “I urge Congress to stand by American workers, stand by our national security, and reject any effort to repeal the CHIPS Act. The future of Central New York—and our nation—depends on it.”

Micron is set to begin construction later this year. Its new plant is expected to generate 50,000 jobs in central New York. Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has an academic partnership with Micron, through which it will expand to support more students in fields related to semiconductors.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to Trump’s address by criticizing him for not discussing rising costs of living while continuing to support initiatives that would raise prices. In a Wednesday statement, she said Trump’s imposed tariffs would cost New York families more than $1,200 each year.

“I’m going to continue our laser focus on affordability, fighting to pass a budget that lowers middle-class taxes and triples the child tax credit,” Hocul wrote. “No matter what nonsense comes out of Washington, I’ll keep fighting to put money back in your pockets.”

Mannion said he’ll host a town hall to combat Trump’s infringement on constitutional rights. In a Tuesday statement, he wrote that the American people need a government that caters to them and fights for their rights.

As his guest for Trump’s address, Mannion invited local farmer and food insecurity advocate Karin Reeves. While Trump proposes cuts and further restrictions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Mannion said he aims to strengthen rural communities and access to food with the help of farmers like Reeves.

“The Trump/Musk agenda is a reckless pursuit of dangerous policies built on misinformation. They are tanking our economy, sinking the stock market, and driving up inflation,” Mannion wrote. “Their so-called ‘golden age’ is nothing more than a gilded giveaway to billionaires and foreign adversaries, paid for with cruel cuts to services for seniors, veterans, and children in need.”

Published on March 5, 2025 at 11:07 pm