Gov. Hochul criticized for telling black churchgoers not to buy booze with inflation refund checks

Keep your tip-sy to yourself!

Gov. Kathy Hochul is in hot water for telling parishioners at a largely black church not to buy booze with their incoming state “inflation refund” checks — with fellow pols slamming her comments as tone-deaf and “demeaning.”

“It reduces whole communities to harmful stereotypes and strips away the dignity of parents and children alike,” said her estranged Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who, along with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), blasted Hochul as racially insensitive.

Hochul was speaking about rebate checks — which will be sent to eligible residents starting later this month through November — at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo Sunday when she made what critics called a harmful, off color remark.

“Checks are coming out soon, watch the mail. Okay? Okay? Don’t spend it all in one day. Get something you really need. Okay? Don’t stop by the liquor store. Buy something for the kids. Buy them some food,” she said, prompting a loud, mixed reaction from the congregation. “Sometimes I have to stop by the liquor store too, I understand it’s alright. It’s alright.”

Delgado — Hochul’s lone major Democratic primary challenger so far in next year’s gubernatorial election — said the powerful pol has a history of leaning into dangerous stereotypes.

“This is not the first time Governor Hochul has demeaned Black communities with her words. Last year, she claimed young Black kids in the Bronx didn’t even know what the word ‘computer’ was. Now, from the pulpit of a predominantly Black church, she warns families not to spend their rebate checks at the liquor store,” he said in a statement.

“That’s a pattern — and it’s racist,” he said. “Words matter, especially when they come from the highest office in our state.

Hochul stuck her foot in her mouth in May 2024 when she asserted that there are “some young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is” while speaking at a forum in California, sparking criticism from other politicians.

“Black families in the Bronx, Buffalo, and across New York don’t need lectures or insults. They need respect. They need investment. They need a governor who will fight for affordable housing, universal childcare, and healthcare for all — the real tools to build a better future,” Delgado said.

Stefanik, who has said she’s also considering running for governor, slammed Houchul for her “condescending” tone. 

“This is not the first time Kathy Hochul has insulted the black community and spoken in a condescending, lecturing tone towards African Americans,” the North Country rep said. “Hochul is now showing a disturbing pattern of racial insensitivity by doubling down on her arrogant and patronizing tone towards the African American community.”

Tuulikki Robertson, executive director of The Black Institute, a social equity non-profit and think tank, added that the organization was “deeply troubled” by Hochul’s remarks.

Asked about the remarks at an unrelated event in Manhattan Wednesday, Hochul admitted it, “was not the best way” to make her case about the checks.

“Just for context. I was in my hometown at a church I’ve gone to for 20 years. I’m dear friends with the bishop, the congregation. They’re all my friends. And I was acknowledging a lot of the stress people are under in our communities. I made a lighthearted joke,” she said.

“I also said I’d be willing to stop by a store. And in that context I wasn’t making any generalization about any particular community at all. Also, as I reflect on it, it’s not the best way to talk about – I was trying to make an argument of how to put money back in people’s pockets,” the Democratic gov said.

“Listen, my intention is never to offend anybody in that context and regret that that is the takeaway for some people.”

State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo), who was at the service on Sunday, defended Hochul, saying her comments played well in the room.

“Governor Hochul’s remarks about rebate checks over the weekend could have been worded better but the congregation at True Bethel Baptist Church understood the point she was trying to make about spending that money wisely,” she said.

“From my point of view, the remark was meant to be instructive. The remark could’ve been made at any house of worship at any time. Unlike others, I was there that morning for services, so it is disappointing to hear other people, who were not in attendance, make accusations and try to be divisive for their own political gain.”

Bishop Darius Pridgen, an ex-president of Buffalo Common Council who introduced Hochul at the service, agreed the remarks were taken out of context.

“She definitely wasn’t speaking out of turn, if you will. You have to understand the entire context of the entire service,” he said, adding the sermon was about “personal responsibility.”