Cato Institute Ranks New York Governor 49th
Governor Kathy Hochul falls near the bottom of a new national study analyzing state-level policy and individual freedom.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Government
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The Cato Institute's 2026 Freedom in the 50 States study ranks New York Governor Kathy Hochul 49th out of 50 governors. The state itself also holds the 49th position for overall freedom in the new national analysis.
Why it matters
The study assesses how state laws and executive actions impact individual liberty by evaluating policies on taxation, spending, licensing, and civil rights. This ranking highlights the significant gap between New York's policy environment and the top-performing states.
Governor Kathy Hochul received an 18.02% score in the 2026 assessment, while New York state earned an overall freedom score of 31.9%. The study evaluated metrics including housing, occupational licensing, education, firearms, and medical freedom.
The players
Kathy Hochul
She serves as the Governor of New York.
Cato Institute
This public policy research organization advocates for individual liberty and limited government.
Greg Gianforte
He is the Governor of Montana who earned the top score in the study.
Ron DeSantis
He is the Governor of Florida who placed among the top-ranked governors.
Greg Abbott
He is the Governor of Texas who placed among the top-ranked governors.
The details
The report evaluates how state laws and executive actions influence individual liberty across a variety of sectors, including taxation, spending, and free speech. While New York placed near the bottom, governors in Montana, Florida, and Texas were among the highest-ranked leaders in the country.
Timeline
The Cato Institute published the 2026 Freedom in the 50 States study in 2026.
Political Context
The Cato Institute's Freedom in the 50 States study ranks New York Governor Kathy Hochul 49th among 50 governors, illustrating a stark divergence from the high rankings achieved by states like Montana. Opposition groups frequently point to such rankings to argue that current tax and regulatory policies in New York hinder economic competitiveness.
The low ranking reflects a policy environment that residents may experience through high tax burdens, complex occupational licensing requirements, and strict regulations on housing. For the average taxpayer, these findings underscore the policy differences between New York and states that score higher in the study's liberty metrics.
The takeaway
This study serves as a tool for residents to evaluate how their state's legislative and executive actions contrast with national policy trends. Comparing these rankings can provide voters with a clearer picture of how regulatory shifts impact their personal and professional freedom.
Further reading
For more on state-level policy analysis, visit New York Government.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vinnews.
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