Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a visit to Tompkins County Sunday where she toured the city’s Porchfest festivities.
Flanked by Assemblymember Anna Kelles (D-123), congressional candidate Josh Riley, and state Senate candidate Lea Webb, all Democrats, Hochul spoke with some organizers of the event and listened to some performers in Ithaca’s Fall Creek neighborhood.
Prior to the event, Hochul stopped at Liquid State Brewing Company where she visited with members of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee.
The visit was not listed on the governor’s official daily schedule sent out to news outlets nor from her campaign. A spokesperson with the governor’s campaign who was traveling with the governor Sunday told WSKG the visit was meant for Hochul to talk with voters.
Hochul has yet to sign legislation implementing a moratorium on proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining sponsored by Kelles. Riley and Webb have also voiced their support for the legislation.
Hochul’s staff told WSKG the governor would not be taking questions during the visit, though when asked, Hochul reiterated her claim she has not signed the cryptocurrency legislation because her office is still reviewing it.
"The session just finished in June, it is September and I'll spend a lot of time focusing on it because it's important to get it right,” Hochul said.
Hochul is running for a full term in the governor’s office after taking over for former Governor Andrew Cuomo who resigned last year. She is running against Republican Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-01).