Tim Hogues, head of the state’s civil service commission, appeared at the Fredonia Opera House before about two dozen spectators who were mostly municipal officials. The event was part listening session, part campaign speech for a governor who is in a re-election battle this year.

It began with what was essentially a campaign ad for Hochul on the movie screen, talking up her economic development and affordable child care programs. The ad featured cameos from various municipal leaders, including Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson, who hosted Monday’s event.

The mayor introduced Hogues, who said he was in Fredonia as part of a Hochul initiative to get officials out of Albany and into the state’s communities. “She really wants to understand how to better serve her constituents,” Hogues claimed.

He went on that Hochul “wants to put money in your pocket,” as she grew up in a trailer park and understands what it’s like to be struggling. “She understands the importance that government works for the people.”

Tim Hogues mentioned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan for affordability in his stop.

Slides featuring Hochul’s accomplishments flashed on the screen as Hogues continued. Some of the things mentioned included a raise in the state’s minimum wage; stronger gun laws; $8 billion invested in child care and $3 billion in law enforcement; removal of cell phones from school classrooms; and tax cuts for the middle class.

Hogues moved to discussing Hochul’s 2026 budget proposal. He said federal funding is down 11.4%, or $10.3 billion. However, he claimed the state is expecting some $7 billion in increased revenue over the next two years.

Hogues mentioned Hochul’s “Let them Build” and “Move in NY” initiatives. He also noted that $3.75 billion in water infrastructure project funding will be made available over the next five years, a point of particular interest to Ferguson and other Fredonia officials.

Hochul has announced a statewide effort to streamline regulations “and tell how we can better serve you,” Hogues said. He said the state is seeking ideas on speeding up housing and infrastructure project timelines, and directed people to a website where they can offer their ideas.

Hogues also talked up a $31.7 million increase in Temporary Municipal Assistance for Western New York. He saved discussion of his own area of expertise, civil service, for the end, calling it “the boring stuff.” His goals are to streamline civil service hiring, make it more efficient, and improve access to jobs.

Hogues took some questions from the audience after his presentation. Ferguson asked him to reiterate the $3.75 billion commitment to water projects.

Someone asked why Hochul was reluctant to “tax the rich.” Hogues replied, “I’ve heard her speak to this before, and this is just Tim Hogues (paraphrasing her), but she did say the revenue they bring in is huge, and if we tax them too much, they leave.” Hochul wants to “make sure we still have that tax base in New York state.”

Hogues was questioned about SUNY Fredonia’s financial situation. He said Hochul is “laser focused on education from universal pre-K all the way through college.” He acknowledged “a down trend in attendance” at Fredonia and other SUNY schools but noted that “starting last year, there has been an uptick.”

Hogues also spoke of a need for “adjusting some of the offerings they have to meet the current demands.”

Besides Ferguson, event attendees included Pomfret Town Supervisor Dan Pacos, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency chief Mark Geise, city of Dunkirk Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak, and Fredonia Trustees Ben Brauchler, Jon Espersen and Paul Wandel.