New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a mixed bag of reactions to a comment she made at a largely Black church in Buffalo that some contend was “deeply offensive,” but Hochul defended it as a “lighthearted joke.”

Hochul delivered remarks on Sunday, Sept. 7, at True Bethel Baptist Church, in which she reminded the congregation about an inflation rebate launching later this month to help millions of New York residents struggling with the rising cost of living in the state.

But Hochul jested about what the congregants should and should not spend the incoming checks on.

“Checks are coming out soon, watch the mail. OK? OK? Don’t spend it all in one day. Get something you really need. OK? Don’t stop by the liquor store. Buy something for the kids. Buy them some food,” she said, drawing a l

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