New York Governor Kathy Hochul participates in the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday June 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It is no secret that New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul has been feeling the heat. Recent polls show voters are growing increasingly frustrated with the migrant issue that is dominating the headlines in both upstate and the Big Apple.

According to the Siena College Poll released in September, 82% of the voters say the recent influx of migrants is a serious problem, with 54% saying it is very serious. “Hochul’s job approval rating has fallen in five consecutive Siena College polls since her highest ever approval in January, when she was 20 points positive, to now her lowest ever approval. In February, it was 16 points positive, 11 points in March, six in May, and four in June. It’s now break-even, a loss of 20 points since the start of the year,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. “Voters approve of the job Hochul is doing to address climate change 46-39%, but they are break-even on her managing of the state’s finances and increasing affordable housing. A majority of voters disapprove of how she’s addressing both crime and the recent influx of migrants.”

By all accounts, it’s not going to get easier for the governor, who has held the office a little more than two years after replacing Andrew Cuomo. While serving as lieutenant governor, Hochul seemed capable of working with both parties and much more willing to work at finding partnerships.

In her current role, she comes across as a freight train. She’s full steam ahead on eliminating gas-powered stoves, accelerating the use of electric-powered school buses and the construction of buildings that offer advanced building technologies for clean heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, building envelopes and controls.

She’s also far too generous when it comes to spending your dollars. Last week, Hochul finally sounded a warning regarding the state’s spending spree.

According to The Buffalo News, Hochul held a briefing where she discussed the looming state budget slowdown. “That is not the path that we can continue on,” Hochul said in the News last week. “That was a couple years of making up (on a lack of past investment), and now we got to stabilize and be realistic.”

Those screeching sounds from the capital are not yet resonating in many entities across Chautauqua County. Since the COVID-19 shutdown, schools and municipalities have been fat and happy. American Rescue Plan Act funds — some $83.1 million — have done little to change the landscape here in terms of entities working more efficiently while cutting costs.

How the belt tightening also will impact the State University of New York, with locations at Fredonia and Jamestown, remains unclear. Both campuses are struggling with fiscal difficulties due in part to lower enrollments and consistently flat — or decreasing — aid from Albany.

Surprisingly, there is a much more different picture in Pennsylvania when it comes to leadership. Last week, the Commonwealth Foundation’s quarterly Common Ground in the Commonwealth poll saw Gov. Josh Shapiro — a Democrat — earn a 61% favorable rating compared to last season, but his disapproval rating rose in tandem by 5 points to 29%. Shapiro, data showed, had the only approval rating over 50% of any statewide official.

Looking at the big picture, Pennsylvanians are liking their leader though they are not sure why. “More than half of (voters) are unsure or don’t believe he’s had a major accomplishment,” Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Stefano said. “While they’re giving him a honeymoon period, they’re not able to articulate something that he’s done that has impacted or improved their lives.”

Shapiro also has done very little to upset the electorate. While some state budget issues remain from a plan that was finalized in August, there are no issues with the cities of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh being overrun by a migrant population.

Additionally, as we noted in a Times Observer editorial, Shapiro is making the rounds. In August, he was in Warren County to praise law enforcement and Ron and Cindy Ecklund, who helped return escaped prisoner Michael Burham to jail. “I wanted to come here today (to) celebrate these wonderful people,” he said. “I think this speaks to the wonderful culture here in northwest Pennsylvania and all across our Commonwealth – neighbor helping neighbor. I think that’s a wonderful story.”

That’s Shapiro’s sugar and spice. It’s resonating — much better than Hochul’s vinegar — with his constituents.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.