Gov. Kathy Hochul is defending the hefty price tag for the new Buffalo Bills stadium agreement.

The governor was a guest on WNYC Radio and answered listener questions.

One listener asked why so many tax dollars are going toward the stadium, instead of housing for people who suffer from mental illnesses.

The governor said in response the new budget, there is $25 billion is going toward an affordable-housing plan.

She also added that she fought for a stadium not to be fully funded by public dollars.

"I really understand people's concern and anxiety about this and I get it; I'm not trying to say their concerns aren't real or legitimate,” Gov. Hochul said. “But again, I get a lot of questions when I'm in other parts of the state about how much we spend on NYC transit and MTA. So I have to engage in this debate no matter where I go."

The Bills reached an agreement to build a $1.4 billion stadium in Orchard Park late last month.

In the new state budget, the legislature is allocating $600 million toward the project.