Governor Kathy Hochul Talks World Cup Security, AI Data‑Center Limits and Jobs on Face the Nation

When Margaret Brennan welcomed New York’s governor to “Face the Nation,” the atmosphere was electric. The World Cup finals were just around the corner in neighboring New Jersey, and the whole planet would be watching the New York‑area stadiums.

Governor Kathy Hochul answered with confidence, noting that more than a year of planning—over 1,000 tabletop exercises, she said—had gone into security. “We’ve been working side‑by‑side with federal, state and local law‑enforcement partners,” she told Brennan, adding that the NYPD, in her view, was “the world’s greatest police force.” Her tone was upbeat, almost proud, as she described the upcoming event as a “very exciting time for us.”

The conversation then turned to a headline‑making move from just a week earlier: an executive order that pauses the approval of large‑scale AI data centers for a year. Hochul explained that the shift came after listening to municipalities that felt powerless against big tech.

“Localities don’t have the negotiating clout to demand that these facilities pay their fair share,” she said. She noted concerns about water consumption, strain on the electric grid, and the need for tax‑break accountability. The governor stressed that New York would still welcome AI firms—Micron’s 50,000‑job project being a case in point—but only if they played by a set of rules that protect ratepayers and the environment.

When pressed about the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge signed by governors in several red‑state regions, Hochul admitted the pledge was a good starting point but not enough for New York. “I’m more realistic,” she said. “We’ll work with companies, but we won’t let them dictate how we run our state.”

She described a sprawling bureaucratic effort: seven state agencies now track everything from economic benefits to water use, ensuring that any data‑center project meets strict standards before getting the green light.

Labor leaders have voiced worries that the ban could scare away jobs. Hochul brushed off that fear, arguing that the temporary pause actually safeguards long‑term investment. “If you come to New York and follow the rules, you’ll find a vibrant workforce and reliable infrastructure,” she assured.

In the end, the governor’s message was clear: protect New Yorkers first, invite innovation second, and make sure the world’s biggest sporting events are safe and spectacular.