On Saturday, April 5, Long Island will host its Hands Off! Mass Mobilization Rally protesting the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE actions to dismantle government services, civil rights, public health and environmental protections. It will be one of more than 1,200 Hands Off! Day of Action protests being held throughout the country and the world, with major ones being held in Washington DC and New York City (Bryant Park,1 pm).
More than 1,400 community members from across Long Island are expected at the rally, taking place at the Nassau County Courthouse, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, at 1 pm, “to protest and join in this national mass day of action to express our deep concerns about the course this country is taking.”
“Trump and Musk are illegally decimating our federal workforce and gutting the many services we rely on to keep us safe,” stated Dr. Eve Meltzer Krief, Legislative Chair NY Chapter 2 American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the organizers. “They are barreling toward dismantling social security while Congressional Republicans are planning to significantly slash the Medicaid funding so many Long Islanders rely on- all to fund tax cuts for billionaires. Trump is making us less safe and is threatening our health and well being. Whether it’s the maligning of our NATO allies, defunding NOAA and the National weather service, slashing jobs at the VA- impacting the employment and health of Veterans who fought for this country, cuts to the EPA along with clean water and air initiatives or the cuts to the HHS which will cripple our local health departments’ ability to fight disease and cut substance abuse and mental health programs right here on Long Island – the list goes on and on. Everybody knows somebody being impacted by the instability Trump is bringing to our daily lives. It’s a national crisis and it’s time to stand up to it.”
The protesters are demanding:
•An end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration.
•An end to slashing federal funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on.
The Long Island protest is being organized by concerned community members from across Long Island including members of Engage Long Island, Show Up Long Island, 1199SEIU.
Speakers at the Long Island rally include: Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D, President/CEO Family & Children’s Association; Dr. Eve Meltzer Krief, Legislative Chair NY Chapter 2 American Academy of Pediatrics; Mary Anne Trasciatti, labor activist and educator; Greg Perles, teacher and unionist and Fred Harrison, Food and Water Watch.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them, and they’re taking everything they can get their hands on. On Saturday, April 5, we’ll take to the streets nationwide in a non-violent action with a clear message: Hands OFF! our democracy!
“This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Across the country, we’ll be marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos, and to continue building a non-violent movement dedicated to ending the looting of our country.”
On a national organizing call for Hands Off! Held by Moveon.org, Randy Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers spoke out against the assault on public education and labor, with the actions to shut down the Department of Education and pull back on billions in funding supporting school lunch, programs for disabled children, support for rural and schools in impoverished areas, and the clear policy shift to put tax payer money into private, parochial and for-profit charter schools.
“Why are they going after public education, why labor? Because public education is the foundationstone of democracy, the foundation of opportunity, and democracy and pluralism, brings communities together instead of separating, brings people who are different together instead of otherizing. And the labor movement is about agency – decent wages, health care, the fight for social security. If you take the labor movement away, the right to collective bargaining away, how do we fight together? They are taking away foundation stones of opportunity.
We must fight back – in the courts, in the court of public opinion, in commerce –that’s how we move Congress.
If you care about critical thinking, safe and welcoming environment, that all our kids have access to the funding we’ve been trying to get for 40 years- Title 1, IDA, funding for poor kids, going to college, kids with disabilities, we have to be out on the streets on April 5, together, as community. The more we are together, the more they can’t otherize people. We must work together to fight for all, for opportunity, for public education for every child, a labor movement for anyone. To say ‘No, this is what we want in our government, this is not not who we are, not what we voted for.”
Jonah Minkoff-Zern of Public Citizen, said “We are angry, scared, fired up. Could have had speakers for hours talking about all the ways Trump and Musk and their people – incompetent and malicious – are devastating our nation, services, freedoms, democracy. Signalgate shows their incompetence, just how little they care about their impacts of going to war. Firing 10,000 healthcare workers today is not even top of the news because it goes on and on. But we have power. Our voices, our mobilization will pushback and ultimately win.
The dismantling of government services, the threats to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the brain drain that is underway as Trump shuts down research and threatens universities, the assault on freedoms, the Rule of Law and due process evident in the cruel and malicious and unconstitutional deportation of immigrants, the attacks on judges and lawyers, the assumption of war powers without an actual war, the attacks on voting rights and barriers to voting has already shattered the pillars holding up our democracy as it is clear, while antagonizing and threatening allies and cozying up to every tyrant on the planet. Trump is assuming powers of an autocrat (even not joking about a third term), and a power structure based on oligarchy and kleptocracy, following Putin’s example.
The Hands Off! Day of Action is endorsed and supported by Indivisible, Common Cause, Third Act (and Third Act NYC), MoveOn, the SEIU, and many others.
Check out handsoff2025.com for more information, events and to sign up.
It boils down to this: Trump/Musk/DOGE are basically stealing the tax money that New Yorkers send to Washington which the federal government is obligated to send back to pay the Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid benefits and other social services that are cumulatively funded by the federal government. And they are stealing that money from the most vulnerable people – the elderly, the disabled, children, veterans, the sick and the poor – in order to further enrich the richest in society.
Out of New York’s $292 billion budget, 40% – $92 billion – is supposed to come back to the states from the federal taxes we pay. Indeed, a “donor state”, New Yorkers pay more into the federal coffers than come back to us, while Red States like Louisiana, Mississippi and Alaska that boast of their low taxes, get way more in federal funding than they pay in income taxes.
What’s worse is the random, casual, careless way the cuts are being made. “He throws spaghetti to the wall, and what falls down is what’s cut,” Governor Kathy Hochul said at a press conference with US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to focus attention on the damage being caused to Social Security.
“The Trump administration and DOGE boys are crippling phone support even though appointments can only be made by phone; they plan to cut 7000 staff even though staff numbers are already at a 50 year low; they cut 47 Social Security locations including two in New York State. Meanwhile, 10,000 each day turn 65, all entitled to their earned benefits,” declared U.S. Senator Kirstin Gillibrand.
The cuts in service and the ability to access benefits could be catastrophic, Gillibrand said, “for seniors, people with disabilities who rely on social security to pay for rent, food, heating, medical care – everything they need to survive.” Social security is this nation’s largest anti-poverty program, and arguably its most popular government program.
But it also directly impacts their family and has rippling effect on the economic wellbeing of their community and the state.
“Imagine the impact on New York’s economy if they can’t buy essentials, can’t afford healthcare. It puts greater burden on hospitals, clinics…That doesn’t just affect them, but the community, businesses, services, the entire economy.”
Over 4 million New Yorkers receive Social Security, of which 125,000 are children/ In Albany, alone, 70,000 receive social security. It amounts to $128 million.
Damage has already been done, Gillibrand said. Phone services already in disarray, there is chaos and fear, especially for people unable to travel in person.
“Many of these changes are so severe, more drastic, more radically harmful than ever imagined, I don’t think people fully comprehend. It’s deeply destabilizing. As harm continues to affect every citizen, people will start calling their representative and make them understand their adherence and loyalty to one man is at odds with their constituents, hopefully will then stop,” Senator Gillibrand said.
“We as a society decided government would provide a safety net. If we go back to that time when safety nets don’t exist, more will die in poverty.
“The good news is we have a strong state government strong, but the state budget is affected. We pay so much in federal tax dollars, we expect them to come back to the state. If our federal dollars don’t come back, that means chunks are taken from health care, social security administration, disability. We have to rise up, to convince the seven Republicans to change their mind, to convince Republican senators to stop standing by Trump,” Gillibrand said.
The state was in the final stages of adopting its budget when Trump slashed spending that was already factored in, and there is no way the state can make up for the hole being dug by rescission of federal funds.
“This man [Elon Musk] has enormous power for an unelected official, and he is using it to destroy the very fabric of our safety nets — programs like Social Security,” declared Governor Hochul. “So, he has caused so much chaos and uncertainty. Just walk into this federal building — you can feel it, it’s palpable; the anxiety that the workers here who dedicate their lives to public service, not just here, but all across this country, are under siege. Why? Because they’re out there helping the people.
“That is the whole premise behind becoming a public servant, and those who work for Social Security know that there’s people who rely on them and not everybody knows how to go online and figure it out…..When phone calls aren’t answered, when offices are closed — the offices that have been closed in New York State already — that requires seniors who may not have easy access to get around to go from their community and travel across five to seven different counties. How are they going to get there if they need services in person?
“In New York, our priorities are different,” Governor Hochul said. “We think it’s wrong to say seniors and people with disabilities have to travel a great distance to secure their benefits. We say it’s wrong to describe Social Security as a ‘Ponzi scheme,’ and we say it’s wrong to jeopardize a safety net that has been there to make sure that our citizens never slip into poverty.”
What’s to be done?
Governor Hochul urged constituents to pressure New York State’s seven Republican Members of Congress.
“They are your Republican members of Congress. They’re in the majority, they have the power. If seven members of the delegation from New York State — starting with Elise Stefanik all the way on down — go into the Speaker’s office, demand that there would be changes or you’ll hold up President Trump’s agenda. You have the power, and if you don’t use that power, then you are complicit in this attack on the American people. And so, citizens, residents, people who represent all of our elected officials here: Make sure our voices are heard, make sure our senior’s voices are heard and we have to stop the insanity of this attack on our people.”
Harm to State’s Health Programs
Governor Kathy Hochul also shared a breakdown of the Trump administration’s sweeping federal cuts to New York State’s health programs, and how these cuts to health funding will affect New Yorkers. The amount of funding lost will have a devastating impact statewide on programs that ensure the safety and well-being of people in New York, gutting over $360 million in financial resources toward mental health and addiction services, and health departments across the State.
“Slashing funding for public health, suicide prevention and addiction services is just plain cruel, and it’s going to hurt everyday New Yorkers most,” Governor Hochul said. “Here’s the sad truth: there is no State in the nation that has the resources to backfill these sweeping cuts. It’s up to New York’s elected officials who serve in the House majority to stand up and fight back.”
Federal Cuts by the Numbers:
Department of Health: DOH expects to lose over $300 million in funding for organizations across the State.
This funding supports many activities that are core to public health functioning, including virus surveillance, outbreak response, electronic data exchange, public dashboards, infection prevention activities in hospitals and nursing homes, laboratory reporting, program operations, and support to local health departments. The backbone of the State’s public health infrastructure will be weakened significantly due to reduced virus surveillance and reporting systems that can no longer provide communities and families with real-time information on developing outbreaks, laboratory support and testing, data collection and analysis, public-facing dashboards, data and analytics.
Losing this funding will shutter multiple areas of work that are largely seen as foundational components of the Department’s response to emerging infectious diseases. These cuts will also eliminate the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant, which funded 135 subcontractors to support community-based work addressing health disparities in New York, such as mental health, maternal and infant health, and food security.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports: OASAS expects to lose $40 million total in funding, which will result in significant cuts to addiction and prevention services, treatment supports and access to resources for individuals struggling with substance use. This work includes, but is not limited to:
Transitional housing to help provide short-term housing and case management for individuals leaving OASAS residential treatment or correctional facilities who cannot otherwise access permanent housing.
Support for programs, access to treatment, recovery, and other basic services that keep people connected to care in their communities.
Expansion of outpatient clinics to offer medication for addiction treatment and to purchase and outfit mobile medication units to bring services where they are needed.
Administering and implementing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) which is a comprehensive public health approach to identify those at risk of developing substance use disorders and deliver early intervention and treatment services to individuals who exhibit habits of risky use of alcohol and other substances.
Office of Mental Health: OMH expects to lose $27 million total in funding for programs and services for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use needs. These programs were intended to allow individuals in need of care to remain in their homes, connected to their natural support systems during treatment. The loss of this funding will result in an increased reliance on emergency services and hospital-based care with fewer community resources and supports for our most vulnerable New Yorkers, including:
Crisis Stabilization and Crisis Residence Programs to provide urgent treatment to individuals experiencing an acute mental health and/or substance use crisis, and a safe place for the stabilization of psychiatric symptoms and support for children and adults.
Adult Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACT) serving individuals with serious mental illness who are in danger of losing their housing/becoming homeless, are homeless, and/or have histories of involvement with the criminal justice system, and Children and Youth Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACT) for youth who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services.
Grants to expand and improve upon the mobile crisis services statewide, including 9-8-8 crisis call centers. These call centers have relied on this funding to ensure they have capacity to connect callers experiencing emotional distress to the compassionate care of trained counselors.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “It is disappointing these grants were terminated so impulsively without any advance notice and without consideration for the people we serve. We were poorly prepared as a nation for the last pandemic. I see the same pattern occurring now, where decisions are made without consideration for the public’s health and well-being. These grants were preparing us to be healthier for the next pandemic. These investments allowed New York to develop strategies that prevent chronic disease, improve nutrition and find problems before they started.”
“These sweeping federal cuts to health and human services threaten critical addiction funding streams that support prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services, putting lives at risk and straining the providers working tirelessly on the frontlines of this public health crisis,” Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “OASAS remains committed to protecting and expanding access to life-saving services, and will work to mitigate the damage caused by these harmful cuts.”
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “For many years, the federal government has been a trusted and valued partner in efforts to provide critical mental health services and supports to New Yorkers, many living in traditionally marginalized communities and under difficult socioeconomic conditions. These drastic cuts will likely slow, and in some instances, halt the fantastic progress our federally funded programs have made and continue to make across our state. We have come too far to reverse course on mental health, which is why our federal legislators owe it to New York to challenge these cuts however possible.”
Governor’s Fiscal Year ’26 Executive Budget Includes Funding To Expand Access to Programs for Survivors and Improve Law Enforcement Response
Current Discovery Law Results in Delays and Automatic Dismissals That Adversely Affect Survivors of Domestic Violence
Following Enactment of Discovery Reform, There as Been a 94.3 Percent Increase in Dismissal of Cases Involving Domestic Violence in New York City and 49.1 Percent in Rest of State
Governor Kathy Hochul today convened a roundtable of survivors of domestic violence, advocates and local district attorneys to discuss New York State’s commitment and investments in combating domestic violence and supporting survivors. Governor Hochul proposed record-level funding in her Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget that will expand access to domestic violence prevention and sexual assault prevention programs, improve the medical and law enforcement response to intimate partner abuse and sexual violence, and better support survivors of domestic violence. To further support survivors — and deliver the justice they rightfully deserve — the Governor is pushing for essential changes to the state’s discovery process that will ensure their abusers are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“Combating domestic violence is personal to me — and for the entirety of my career in public service, I’ve prioritized policies that protect survivors and improve law enforcement response to these crimes,” Governor Hochul said. “While crime is going down across New York, crimes related to domestic violence remain stagnant. To address this issue and ensure the safety of all New Yorkers, we need to continue funding the programs that protect victims and survivors, and streamline discovery laws to hold individuals who cause harm accountable for their actions.”
Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, “Not all victims and survivors choose to seek a law enforcement or criminal response to the abuse or violence they have endured, and that is okay. If they do decide to seek a criminal justice route to hold their offender accountable, they deserve to be met with a system that understands their individual needs and works in a way that is truly survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive. A system that does not put the needs of the survivor first is a system that may cause further trauma and harm to the survivor and their family. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your investments in victim and survivor well-being, and for inviting survivors to be a part of this important conversation.”
Proposed Changes to the State’s Discovery Law
The state’s current discovery statute details specific timelines for pretrial disclosure of information and evidence by prosecutors to the defense. Discovery reforms enacted January 1, 2020 made essential changes that allowed individuals accused of crimes to receive information and evidence earlier in the pretrial process to ensure a better understanding of the charges. The reforms, however, had unintended consequences resulting in procedural delays and dismissals that adversely affected victims and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.
As a result, Governor Hochul proposed essential changes to New York State’s Discovery Law in the Budget. The tweaks would ensure procedural fairness, shorten case processing times, reduce the length of pretrial incarceration, and safeguard sensitive and personal information belonging to witnesses. These changes include:
Expanding the scope of automatic redaction to include sensitive details, such as witnesses’ physical addresses and personal data unrelated to the case, eliminating the need to engage in lengthy litigation to redact such material.
Removing the incentive to delay bringing a challenge in a manner that can result in technical dismissals unrelated to the merits of the case or the legality of the investigation.
Ensuring that cases are not dismissed if discovery compliance falls short of perfection.
Clarifying that prosecutors are not required to track down information that is by definition irrelevant.
The proposals align with Governor Hochul’s sustained investments in programs and initiatives that have allowed law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations address the causes and consequences of crime, and drive gun violence to record lows.
“I want to thank Governor Hochul, advocates, service providers and district attorneys for their steadfast commitment to protecting victims of crime,” Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said. “These adjustments to discovery laws will ensure that any penalties are proportional to the violation, improving fairness in the justice system for domestic violence survivors and all who are victims of crime, while maintaining the rights of the accused. We at OVS are proud to work with OPDV and our sister agencies to improve public safety for all New Yorkers.”
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said,“At DCJS, we are proud of our work to advance the fairness and efficiency of the criminal justice system and our efforts to help keep New Yorkers safe. Using unprecedented investments secured by Governor Hochul, our law enforcement and community partners have made significant progress in the fight against violent crime. At the same time, it is critical that we continue our efforts to target, prevent and reduce intimate partner and domestic violence. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s unparalleled leadership to improve safety for victims and survivors as shown by her record-setting investments, initiatives, and reforms proposed in the Executive Budget.”
“Again, we’ll always make sure that defendants get all the rights they’re entitled to under our system,” Governor Hochul stated. “It’s a founding premise of our democracy and our constitution. We believe in that. But why not have people stand up for the victims as well? That’s all we’re trying to do here. And the choice between fair and speedy trials, which are important objectives, but also letting dangerous abusers off the hook is a false choice. That is what is being portrayed here. We can and must do both. And I will simply harken back to the 2019 reforms. We did not make those historic changes in order to let abusers walk free. But that, my friends, is exactly what is happening.
“So, we have legislation that specifically when it comes to victims of domestic violence, expanding the scope of automatic redaction, changing the timing requirements, but also misunderstanding, these are human beings. These are people whose cries for help have led them out of their home into a public space subjected to ridicule and abuse from the abuser, even in a courtroom. But when they’re willing to do that and we turn our backs on them, we must look at ourselves and say, “Is this a society we want to have to continue here in the State of New York?” I say, no. And that’s why I’m fighting hard, fighting very hard to make these necessary changes.”
Resources for Public Safety in the Budget
In addition to reductions in gun violence, the number of homicides decreased 15 percent statewide from 2022 to 2023 — 791 down to 670 — which is shown through the latest data available. Domestic homicides, however, increased by 7 percent (126 vs. 135), and the 135 homicides in 2023 represented 20 percent of all homicides. In 2020 and 2021, domestic homicides represented 14 percent of total homicides reported statewide. Police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside of New York City collectively reported a 7 percent increase in the number of victims of intimate partner violence in 2023 compared to 2022 — from 33,684 to 35,947. New York City also saw a 7 percent increase in the number of victims of intimate partner violence — 29,372 compared to 27,527 — during the same time.
Governor Hochul’s proposed Budget also includes record-level funding to improve services and increase access to programs that support victims and survivors, including:
$379.5 million over three years to support crime victim services statewide: Victim assistance programs provide counseling, support groups, criminal justice advocacy, civil legal services, and assistance with filing for crime victim compensation, among other help. That amount includes $100 million in state funding annually for the next three years, allocated by Governor Hochul to offset any reductions in federal funds.
Nearly $41 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence, and better address the needs of victims and survivors: $5 million divided among the five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices; $23 million for law enforcement and services providers in 20 counties outside of the five boroughs; up to $7 million for the State to provide training and technical assistance, risk assessment tools, and investigative support to participating agencies and improve the domestic violence reduction efforts of state agencies; and an additional $5 million in the Budget to help police agencies and prosecutor’s offices adopt evidence-based enforcement, investigation, and prosecution strategies.
$12.8 million — double the current funding — for the New York State Department of Health’s certified rape crisis programs that ensure advocates are available by phone or in-person to provide information, emotional support and other services: The Budget also would require all hospitals to provide access to medical professionals specifically trained to perform forensic sexual assault exams; increase reimbursements to medical providers for those exams; and provide a full course of preventive treatment for HIV exposure to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those younger than 18.
Trump’s “Justice” Department Looks to Restore Gun Rights to Abusers
In contrast to the actions New York State is taking to protect victims of domestic violence, Trump’s Department of Justice is working feverishly to restore gun rights domestic abusers.
An AI review of Everytown for Gun Safety, the National Domestic Violence hotline and others reports:
In the U.S., firearms are used in a significant portion of intimate partner homicides, with women being the victims in over three in four such cases. More than 750 women are killed by intimate partners with a firearm each year, and guns are used in more than three in five of all intimate partner homicides.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Frequency of Intimate Partner Homicides with Firearms:
Every 12 hours, someone is shot and killed by an intimate partner.
· More than 750 women are killed in firearm-related intimate partner homicides each year.
· On average, 76 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month.
· More than seven in 10 intimate partner homicides in the United States are committed with a gun.
· Firearms are used in over 50% of intimate partner homicides.
Impact on Women:
Women are the victims in more than three in four intimate partner homicides with a gun.
Protesters demonstrated across from a Tesla showroom in Manhasset, Long island, NY, to express their ire at Elon Musk and DOGE for the rampant, irresponsible workforce cuts that have damaged government services, triggered a brain drain, and hurt United States standing and ability to compete in the world. And even though judges have so far stayed the firings, it is feared the stays are only temporary and will soon resume, while morale is shot and thousands of federal workers have decided that public service is not worth being maligned and defamed.
The protest was one of many anti-Musk protests taking place on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Protesters were blocked by a cadre of security and Nassau County police from standing in front of the Tesla showroom in the tony Americana shopping mall, and took up positions on both sides of Northern Boulevard.
Protests against Tesla have sprung up across the U.S., with some instances of vandalism that has prompted Trump’s Justice Department to treat these incidents as domestic terrorism. Meanwhile, Trump has shilled for Tesla, turning the White House into a sales showroom, while his Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has urged Americans to buy Tesla stock while suggesting that any Social Security recipient who phones to complain about a missing check is a fraudster.
Here are some highlights from the Long Island protest:
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation strengthening New York’s shield law that protects abortion providers from out-of-state prosecution. The bill enhances New York’s current shield law to allow medical providers to include only the address of the dispensing health care practice on the prescription label instead of the name of the provider or practice and requires pharmacies to abide by a prescriber’s request to remove their name from the prescription label. This legislation builds on a law signed by Governor Hochul in January, days after Louisiana officials attempted to extradite a New York-based doctor who prescribed FDA-approved abortion medication through telehealth.
“New York State is standing up to anti-choice zealots who threaten the sanctity of women’s health care and the medical professionals who provide it,” Governor Hochul said. “My message to anyone who attacks our civil liberties is simple — not here, not now, not ever.”
In December, 2024,Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York doctor and founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, for providing abortion-inducing drugs to a Texas resident. In January 2025, Louisiana prosecuted the same doctor. (The Biden Administration made it clear that women could receive abortion-inducing drugs through telemedicine. Governor Hochul refused to extradite the New York doctor for prosecution to Texas and Louisiana.)
Legislation S.4587/A.5285 strengthens shield law protections for health care professionals and their patients, building on legislation signed by the Governor earlier this year. This legislation enhances shield law protections by ensuring health care professionals can request pharmacies to replace their name with the practice address on prescription labels, further safeguarding provider and patient privacy.
“I am proud to sponsor legislation, alongside Assembly Member Karines Reyes, RN, to strengthen New York’s telehealth shield law and solidify New York’s role as a national leader in protecting abortion rights,” stated State Senator Shelley B. Mayer. “New York’s brave doctors are taking significant personal risks to help women access reproductive care, and as red states pursue legal action against New York physicians performing within the scope of their practice, we must support these medical professionals. I would like to thank Assemblymember Karines Reyes for her partnership, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and my colleagues who supported this important legislation, and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law and keeping women’s access to reproductive rights at the forefront of New York’s priorities. I also want to express my deep gratitude to the dedicated doctors who are committed to ensuring women across the country have access to critical healthcare.”
Assemblymember Karines Reyes said, “I applaud Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature for enacting my bill to swiftly strengthen our state’s shield law for abortion telemedicine services. We must ensure that New York’s medical professionals, especially in smaller practices, are able to remove personal addresses from the prescription bottles that are given to women seeking reproductive and abortion care. This will allow all parties to focus on care for women and pregnant persons, and discourage violations of patient and provider privacy.”
“I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership in strengthening protections for health care providers and patients,” New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis said. “As Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity in the New York City Council, I know how essential it is to ensure reproductive care remains safe and accessible—especially as we face relentless attacks on our rights. We must continue to fortify these protections and stand firm against any efforts to undermine our bodily autonomy, and continually reinforce New York’s role as a sanctuary for reproductive freedom.”
New York City Council Member Lynn Schumann said,“As Chair of the New York City Council’s Health Committee, I applaud Governor Hochul for taking decisive action to protect reproductive health care providers and patients in New York. At a time when extremists across the country are working to criminalize essential health care, this legislation reaffirms our state’s commitment to safeguarding providers and ensuring that everyone can access the care they need without fear. New York will always be a safe haven for reproductive freedom.”
Governor Kathy Hochul joined business leaders, transit advocates and elected officials in New York City to highlight ongoing progress of the newly implemented congestion pricing program,and stand defiant against the Trump administration demanding to dismantle the program that is popular among local and regional transit and climate activists.
In the months since congestion pricing took effect, traffic is down and business is up — as the program delivers benefits for commuters from across the New York metro area and for businesses and offices in Manhattan’s Central Business District (CBD).
“Since congestion pricing took effect over two months ago, traffic is down and business is up – and that’s the kind of progress we’re going to keep delivering for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “Every day, more New Yorkers are seeing and hearing the benefits for our commutes, quality of life and economy – and we’re not going back.”
“The world has changed dramatically for this city and this region ever since congestion pricing went into effect in early January. Now to all the naysayers, hopefully you now are seeing that those who studied this and thought about it worked on this for years, if not decades – had a vision that is now being realized, that we can have a city that is not paralyzed by traffic and congestion, that our air is cleaner, that our businesses are more robust, more people are going to Broadway, our buses and subways are going faster and more supported – more people are taking them than ever before,” the Governor stated, after riding the M14 bus to the event.
“Not only is traffic is down and business is up, but also, subway ridership is up and crime is down.
“It’s been a long journey. We’re still on that journey. And the more people who get a chance to see the benefits – just walk around and talk to people, Ask if their lives are more enriched, whether they have more time with their families if they’re a commuter. Whether or not they’re finally realizing that we have the world class public transit system, but we need to keep it world class by raising the revenues to invest in it as well. That is essential.”
Governor Hochul just visited Trump in the White House and has invited Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has made all sorts of threats against New York, to see for himself. Even Long islanders, whose Republican county executives and town supervisors have reflexively led the opposition against congestion pricing (Long Island commuters benefit the most by improvements to the Long Island Railroad and mass transit) and other initiatives like affordable housing, are benefiting.
“The cameras are staying on,” Governor Hochul asserted. “They sure as hell are. I want to recognize some leaders here who’ve done an extraordinary job in fighting for this. And again, this was not an easy journey. We have countless lawsuits. People going on television constantly berating this – saying it wouldn’t work. I want them to come here now and feel a very different New York City. That is very alive, and it’s vital. It is not jammed and stuck in traffic.
”We are moving once again. And we’re moving into a better future. A welcoming future. A place people can live safely. We’re going to build more housing. We’re going to bring more businesses. We’re going to make this to be the best place in the world to live. And we’re not done yet. More housing is right – don’t get me on that.”
“Congestion relief is working, cars and buses are moving faster, foot traffic is up and even noise complaints are down. That’s why in poll after poll more and more New Yorkers are saying they want those benefits to stay – and they will,” MTA CEO and Chair Janno Lieber said.
Since the congestion pricing program took effect on Jan. 5, it has delivered a wide array of benefits according to data from the MTA and other reports and studies from business groups and other data sources.
Traffic Is Down
Traffic is down 11 percent in the CBD in February compared to the same time last year.
Three million fewer vehicles entered the CBD in January and February compared to the same time last year.
Traffic is moving up to 30 percent faster on bridge and tunnel crossings in February compared to the same time last year.
Commuters saving up to 21 minutes per trip into the CBD.
Bus service is faster throughout the CBD, with up to 23 percent customer trips on express buses delayed 10 minutes or more.
Complaints about excessive car horn honking within the CBD were down by more than 70 percent in January and February compared to the same time last year.
Business Is Up
Broadway show attendance was up 19 percent in January and February compared to the same time last year.
Restaurant reservations in the CBD rose 5 percent from January to mid-March compared to the same time last year.
Retail sales in the CBD are on track to be $900 million higher in 2025 compared to last year.
Workers coming to the office in the CBD on an average weekday increased 6.6 percent in February compared to the same time last year.
Transit Ridership Increasing
Transit ridership in January and February 2025 has grown significantly compared to the same time last year.
Bus ridership is up 9 percent
Subway ridership is up 6 percent
Long Island Rail Road ridership is up 8 percent
Metro-North Railroad ridership up 4 percent
“Congestion relief is a local tool helping to solve a local problem. With this tool activated we are delivering access to efficient transportation to all New Yorkers and visitors including those who drive, and those who ride our subways, buses, and paratransit vehicles alike,” MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said. (His remark flips Trump’s statement justifying shutting down the Department of Education in order to “return power to the states.”)
State Senator Liz Krueger said,“Congestion pricing works, and it is already delivering for New Yorkers, the vast majority of whom rely on public transit every single day. Congestion Pricing is improving commutes, reducing congestion, and raising funds for public transit, all while businesses in the zone enjoy an increase in foot traffic and the program grows in popularity with those who are actually impacted by it. I am proud to stand with Governor Hochul and the MTA in defending Congestion Pricing, not just on behalf of the New Yorkers who directly benefit from it, but also for New York’s sovereignty and for the rule of law that is the keystone of our democracy.”
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Since congestion pricing started travel times have improved by as much as 59 percent during peak afternoon hours. That means that drivers are saving on average 20 to 30 minutes driving into the Central Business District every single day. Take it from those of us who actually live and work in the Central Business District, congestion pricing is working. Since the program began, not only are commute times down, but foot traffic is up, businesses in midtown are booming, support for the toll has increased, and tens of millions of dollars have been generated to make essential upgrades to our subway system, which is used by over 3.5 million people every day. Any way you look at it the first few months of congestion pricing have clearly been a success and the program must continue. I am proud that Governor Hochul is standing up for New York’s sovereignty and keeping the congestion cameras on.”
“Congestion pricing is already delivering for New York — easing gridlock, cutting pollution, and powering critical funding for our transit system,” State Senator Robert Jackson said. “Our future depends on a transit system that moves all of us forward — not one stuck in gridlock. This is about fairness — ensuring working people, students, and seniors have reliable public transit while reducing traffic that clogs our city. At this pivotal moment, we must stay the course. Investing in mass transit isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about investing in the people who make this city thrive. Let’s push forward toward a healthier, more sustainable New York.”
State Senator Cordell Cleare said, “I support Congestion Pricing as a way for the MTA to fund their capital plan, and bring benefits; including the much needed upgrading transport accessibility, and rebuilding and sustaining infrastructure in my 30th District and beyond.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “Congestion pricing is working; we’re seeing less congestion, faster bus commutes, and an increase in transit ridership. New Yorkers deserve to continue to benefit from the implementation of this program– they deserve clean air, and clearer streets. This is the result of relentless advocates fighting for cleaner air and public transportation, as well as the Governor’s commitment to putting New Yorkers’ will above the orders of the Trump Administration.”
“A strong, reliable and accessible public transit system is the lifeblood of New York City and congestion pricing has proven itself to be the antidote to our crumbling infrastructure and incessant congestion,” Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said. “Since the program’s implementation, traffic has flowed more freely, buses have been more reliable and our environment has benefited from fewer emissions. The Trump administration’s demand to shut down our congestion pricing program is nothing more than another futile political move in his ongoing obsession of punishing New York. Governor Hochul’s decision to keep the cameras on is the right one and will help the MTA to rebuild the public transportation system that our city deserves.”
Assemblymember Deborah Glick said,“I am heartened to see how successful congestion pricing has been so far—less traffic, less pollution, less noise—and I look forward to an improved transit system for all New Yorkers. New York has long led the nation in innovation and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in fighting the federal administration’s attempt to undermine this important program.”
Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “Congestion pricing works, and we cannot afford to turn back now. In just a few months, we’ve already seen improvements in commute times and have created a new revenue stream to accelerate the modernization of our public transportation system. We must not let the obstruction of the Trump administration get in the way of the progress New Yorkers need. This program is also vital for improving our environment by reducing traffic and lowering emissions, helping us achieve cleaner air and a healthier city. Our city is ready for improved bus and subway services, modernized infrastructure, and greater accessibility. Public transportation must be safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible for all. Let’s continue this momentum and focus on strengthening the MTA for the future. Onward!”
Assemblymember Tony Simone said,“Congestion pricing was developed as a crucial solution to multiple crises in our city, in the time since the cameras went live it has more than achieved its mission. Our subway is crumbling. Congestion pricing has unlocked $15 billion to fix it. Our city center had been brought to a standstill by an overwhelming number of cars. Congestion pricing has already significantly decreased congestion without spillover into surrounding areas. Our streets are cleaner and safer because of the traffic reduction. Spending in the CBD has not declined, transit ridership is up, and honking has decreased. Congestion pricing is finally here and it is exceeding expectations. I stand with the Governor, keep the cameras on!”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “Congestion pricing has been a huge success. Gridlock is down, mass transit ridership is up, and we are raising badly needed funds for subway station elevators, the Second Ave Subway expansion, signal modernization, and more. I look forward to seeing all the ways congestion pricing continues to benefit New York City.”
Riders Alliance Senior Organizer Danna Dennis said, “We’re so grateful to stand with the Governor today to continue to defend congestion pricing and support public transit. The bottom line is that congestion pricing is working: Transit ridership is increasing, buses are moving faster, and millions of New Yorkers are benefiting. We need to keep this momentum going, and we can’t turn back the clock on this vital progress for transit riders and all New Yorkers.”
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, “Congestion pricing works. It’s a fact! We’re seeing immediate benefits in and around the city and region, with less traffic, improved commute times, and faster speeds — good news for drivers, bus riders, emergency vehicles, and deliveries. Less congestion has also meant safer streets, less noise, and robust returns for Broadway, restaurants, commercial lease signings, and businesses small and large. Transit riders are also big beneficiaries, with more accessible stations, signal improvements and better buses coming our way. Thanks to Governor Hochul for standing strong and being a champion for riders and our economy!”
Hudson Square Business Improvement District President and CEO Samara Karasyk said, “Congestion pricing is a win for our city and I want to thank Governor Hochul for her continued advocacy. New Yorkers and New York City neighborhoods like Hudson Square benefit enormously from reduced congestion and more funding for mass transit. It improves our environment, creates safer streets, allows for more welcoming pedestrian spaces, and fosters vibrant central business districts. We have already seen a tangible decrease in traffic around the Holland Tunnel, which, along with our efforts these past 15 years to expand and green our streets and sidewalks, will help grow the local economy and enhance the vitality of our community.”
Meatpacking District Management Association Executive Director Jeffrey LeFrancois said, “Public transit is the lifeblood of New York City and improving the system is good for business, the Meatpacking District, and the region. Easing traffic flow makes streets quieter and more efficient. And if there’s one thing business loves most, its efficiency, because when the movement of people and goods are prioritized, we all succeed.”
“Union Square is experiencing a year-over-year upswing in foot traffic. Since the start of 2025, average weekday foot traffic in Union Square has reached its highest levels for this season in recent history, surpassing both pre-pandemic and recent-year benchmarks for January and February,’ Union Square Partnership Executive Director Julie Stein said. ‘We are hearing from our community that Union Square feels more peaceful and pedestrian-friendly and surface transportation commuting times into and out of the district have improved. While congestion pricing has been the subject of extensive debate, it is currently providing New York with crucial real-time data to understand the policy’s effects on traffic flow, the environment, and the experiences of New Yorkers. This invaluable information is critical to inform and shape our city’s transportation planning for years to come.”
Garment District Alliance President Barbara Blair said,“Congestion pricing plays an important role in helping us reduce traffic, improve air quality and strengthen our city. We need to move forward and continue addressing these critical issues — we can’t go backward and shirk our responsibility to ensure a better future for our communities.”
Make Queens Safer Founding Member Cristina Furlong said,“Twenty years of dedication and care for congestion pricing have blessed us with safer streets! Traffic is moving wonderfully and neighbors in all economic brackets have been pleasantly surprised by the success of this program. We look forward to reaping the benefits of better transit that every New Yorker deserves. This is especially important to us in Queens, as we see thousands on our platforms daily despite the crowded platforms and need for better accessibility, which will come sooner to more people with the funding from congestion pricing. We appreciate Governor Hochul’s steady leadership on congestion pricing and thank her and the MTA for its careful stewardship.”
Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest Managing Attorney Christopher Schuyler said,“Congestion Pricing has been a boon for New Yorkers from all walks of life, including people with disabilities, and we can’t allow federal overreach to stop the program just as we begin to reap its benefits. Congestion Pricing provides the MTA with $15 billion in revenue to fund much-needed subway construction projects, including essential and long overdue accessibility improvements for people with disabilities. Since the start of Congestion Pricing just over two months ago, we have also seen significant improvement in vehicle trip speeds within the tolling area, making it easier for those who rely on buses and Access-A-Ride paratransit services to reach their destinations quickly. People with disabilities, as well as every other New Yorker, deserve to travel faster and not waste time sitting in traffic. We cannot allow the federal government to bully New Yorkers and shut down such a successful program!”
Natural Resources Defense Council Senior Attorney Eric A. Goldstein said,“Congestion pricing is working! Less bumper-to-bumper traffic; fewer vehicle crashes; time-saved for those who must drive; less pollution with more people riding our subways; buses and rails; and the CBD as vibrant as ever. Governor Hochul and MTA Chair Lieber are exactly right to keep this successful program on track, in compliance with both state and federal law.”
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “With each passing day new evidence emerges showing congestion pricing is saving time and money for commuters and businesses, boosting MTA ridership and performance, and gaining in popularity across the region. The Trump Administration’s misguided attempt to end this program is a betrayal of the millions of working-class people who take the buses, subways and trains every day, and we applaud Governor Hochul and MTA Chair Janno Lieber for standing up for New Yorkers in the face of sham deadlines and shameless bullying. The cameras stay on.”
New York Public Interest Research Group Environmental Protection Organizer Cecilia Ellis said,“The students we work with are already enjoying faster commutes and safer streets, thanks to Congestion Pricing’s successes right out of the gate. We can’t wait to see more benefits, from elevators in more stations, to improved subway tracks, upgraded buses, and cleaner air as Congestion Pricing continues. We applaud Governor Hochul for keeping the cameras on and keeping NY moving!”
Regional Plan Association President and CEO Tom Wright said,“Congestion pricing is working to reduce traffic, improve transit, and support our regional economy. We applaud Governor Hochul as she stands firm against the USDOT’s actions to turn off congestion pricing – a program authorized by state law and approved by the federal government. Stopping congestion pricing would only hurt our region’s residents and businesses.”
“The numbers don’t lie: congestion pricing is delivering more revenue than expected, clearing our roads faster than anyone anticipated, and we’re not seeing the traffic spillover some predicted,” New York Building Congress President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura said. “We can’t afford to delay this program for even one day. This is a critical, dedicated, recurring revenue source that the MTA needs right now—to keep New York’s economy strong and our communities moving.”
Across the globe, the lives of 500 million people in more than 190 countries have benefited from the more than 4,100 projects and partnerships made through the Clinton Global Initiative’s programs and initiatives since 2001. This is just one of the impacts reported in its annual Impact Report. The report details a continued legacy that brings diverse and unlikely partners together to take action. In 2024, the Foundation focused on what worked around the world and how to keep moving forward in unprecedented times.
Some of the other key milestones reached in 2024 include:
891,000 doses of lifesaving Naloxone distributed to recovery residences, high schools, universities, and community organizations in 20 states through the Overdose Response Network.
517,000 students and educators have participated in enriching educational and cultural programming free-of-charge at the Clinton Presidential Center.
21 million people worldwide have access to lifesaving HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria medications through the Clinton Health Access Initiative, an independent, associated organization.
1.4 million children’s books donated and provided to families in communities that are under-resourced through Too Small to Fail, the Foundation’s early childhood initiative.
31 million U.S. children leading healthier lives through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an initiative jointly founded by the Foundation and the American Heart Association.
In a joint letter to the Foundation’s community, President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton wrote, “For more than two decades, the Clinton Foundation has aspired to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to create better tomorrows for themselves, their families, and their communities. As we share in this report, in 2024 we saw how bringing together diverse and often unlikely partners from business, government, and civil society can be a practical strategy for delivering outsized impact across the United States and around the world.”
“The gaps between what the public sector can provide and what the private sector can produce seem to be growing bigger each and every day. The work we do here will continue to help fill those gaps. Whether we’re launching targeted initiatives that test new solutions or expanding proven programs that have transformed millions of lives, we must work together to keep putting people first and building a better future,” the family shared.
Some of the key moments that inspired action in 2024:
Using Media to Educate on Early Childhood: Too Small to Fail partnered with the FrameWorks Institute and Rockefeller Foundation to create a playbook for storytellers on how to frame the impact of climate change on children’s health. Secretary Clinton and Chelsea expanded on this work by hosting “Media that Motivates,” encouraging popular media to share stories that explore this topic
Protecting Children from Social Media: At the CGI 2024 Annual Meeting, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, launched a new CGI Commitment to Action through The Archewell Foundation’s Parents’ Network to help protect children from the harmful effects of social media.
A Critical NATO Milestone: President Clinton traveled to Prague to mark the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary joining NATO, which helped create a more peaceful, democratic Europe. In his keynote, he reflected upon his early support for NATO’s expansion at the time, as well as the continued importance of NATO and maintaining our global alliances.
Profiling Moments in American History: The Clinton Center’s permanent exhibitions chronicle American history and culture at the turn of the 21st century. Visitors experience full-scale replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room and original works of art, such as the Crystal Tree of Light crafted by American artist Dale Chihuly. This dazzling glass sculpture was created for the Millennium Celebration and is part of the permanent collection at the Clinton Presidential Center.
Reflecting on Decades of Impact: In November, President Clinton released his memoir, “CITIZEN: My Life After the White House,” providing a detailed and moving account of his post-presidential years, including stories of the Clinton Foundation’s impact, the origin of the Clinton Global Initiative, key events of the 21st century, and the people who’ve inspired him to keep going
A Moment of Unity: At the CGI 2024 Annual Meeting, Yael Admi, co-founder of Women Wage Peace, and Reem Hajajreh, founder of Women of the Sun, discussed the historic partnership between their movements to promote a nonviolent resolution to conflict across the Middle East.
Marking Two Decades of Work in Little Rock: Former colleagues and friends from the Clinton Administration and Foundation community reunited at the Clinton Center’s 20th anniversary celebration. Administration alumni joined “The West Wing” stars Dulé Hill, Richard Schiff, and Melissa Fitzgerald for a conversation about Hollywood moments and the real-world leadership that inspired the iconic show.
Honoring a Lifetime of Leadership: At the CGI 2024 Annual Meeting, President Joe Biden received the Clinton Global Citizen Award for his “uncommon decency and goodness.” Chosen by President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and Chelsea, the award recognizes individuals who embody global citizenship through their vision and leadership.
Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative is a community of doers representing a broad cross section of society and dedicated to the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Through CGI’s unique model, more than 10,000 organizations have launched more than 4,000 Commitments to Action — new, specific, and measurable projects and programs – that are making a difference in the lives of more than 500 million people in 180 countries.
Read the full annual Impact Report – including highlights from Foundation programs and initiatives around the world – at clintonfoundation.org/2024impactreport.
Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a new web portal to support access to vaccines and public health information in the wake of measles cases in New York State. The Governor joined State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald to update New Yorkers on the cases and encouraged everyone to ensure they are current on all recommended immunizations. There have been four total cases of measles in New York State so far this year, three in New York City and one in Suffolk County. None of the cases this year are related to each other or connected to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. The risk of measles to New Yorkers from these outbreaks is low.
“Measles doesn’t belong in the 21st century, and it certainly doesn’t belong in the State of New York,” Governor Hochul said.“As measles outbreaks occur at home and around the globe, it’s critical that New Yorkers take the necessary steps to get vaccinated, get educated and stave off the spread of this preventable disease — the safety of our communities depends on it.”
The New York State Department of Health and local health departments work together to monitor cases and alert the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All New Yorkers are urged to protect themselves by making sure they’re up to date on important, lifesaving immunizations.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The single way to prevent measles is to be immunized, and this is an irrefutable fact. Measles is much more than just a rash. In the current outbreak in the United States, one in five people are being admitted to a hospital. I urge all New Yorkers to ensure they are current on their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunizations and immediately get vaccinated if they are not.”
Based on immunization registry data, the current statewide vaccination rate for babies up to two years old, excluding New York City, is 81.4 percent. This is the percent of children who have received at least one dose of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccines. However, actual vaccination coverage among school-age children is higher, typically around 90 percent.
Individuals should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected. Those who aren’t sure about their immunization status should call their local health department or health care provider. Those who were born before 1957 have likely already been exposed to the virus and are immune. Those born between 1957 and 1971 should check with a doctor to ensure they’ve been properly immunized as vaccines administered during that time may not have been reliable.
Those who travel abroad should make sure they are vaccinated for measles. Babies as young as 6 months can get an MMR if they are travelling abroad. The babies should get their MMRs on schedule and need a total of three MMRs.
The State Health Department is monitoring the situation very carefully, along with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Local health departments in each county are prepared to investigate cases and distribute vaccines or other protective measures as needed.
Misinformation around vaccines has in recent years contributed to a rise in vaccine hesitancy, declining vaccination rates and a black market for fraudulent vaccination records. The Department takes an active role in combating vaccination fraud. This includes work by the Department’s Bureau of Investigations identifying, investigating, and seeking impactful enforcement actions against those who falsify vaccine records, as evidenced by several recent cases announced by the Department.
Combating vaccine fraud is a collective effort that includes various stakeholders responsible for community health and safety. The Department works with schools to help them fulfill their responsibility of reviewing vaccination records for fraud. Additionally, the Department partners with the New York State Education Department, local health departments and school-nurse professional organizations around this critical effort. Moreover, the Department’s Bureau of Investigations, in particular, works to educate, engage and support police and prosecutors statewide regarding vaccination fraud, which under New York law is a felony-level criminal offense.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease that causes rash and fever. In some cases, measles can reduce the immune system’s ability to fight other infections like pneumonia.
Serious complications of measles include hospitalization, pneumonia, brain swelling and death. Long-term serious complications can also include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a brain disease resulting from an earlier measles infection that can lead to permanent brain damage.
People who are infected with measles often get “measles immune amnesia,” which causes their immune system to lose memory to fight other infections like pneumonia. In places like Africa, where measles is more common, this is the largest driver of mortality.
Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of early labor, miscarriage and low birth weight infants.
Measles is caused by a virus that is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. Individuals can catch the disease by breathing in the virus or by touching a contaminated surface, then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. Complications may include pneumonia, encephalitis, miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization and death.
The incubation period for measles is up to 21 days. People who are exposed to measles should quarantine 21 days after exposure and those who test positive should isolate until four days after the rash appears.
Symptoms for measles can include the following:
7-14 days, and up to 21 days after a measles infection
High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
3-5 days after symptoms begin, a rash occurs
The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
Small, raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.
A person with measles can pass it to others as soon as four days before a rash appears and as late as four days after the rash appears.
Health care providers should report suspected measles cases to their local health department.
Visit the State Health Department’s dedicated measles website here for information about the measles, immunization data and information for providers.
The State Health Department has also launched a new Global Health Update Report webpage to keep New Yorkers informed of ongoing and emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The report is updated every Friday.
“The four reported cases of measles in New York State this year are not only concerning but also, a stern reminder that we must keep our recommended immunizations up to date,” State Senator Gustavo Rivera said. “I want to thank Governor Hochul and Commissioner McDonald for launching a portal to provide support to health care providers who are our first line of defense when it comes to public health. Measles could pose serious health risks for those who contract it and are not protected so it is critical that we follow the science and don’t fall behind on immunizations.”
“The science is clear – the measles vaccine works. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated, and I appreciate Governor Hochul and State Health Commissioner McDonald’s efforts to provide New Yorkers and healthcare providers with the support, education, and resources for this lifesaving immunization,” Assemblymember Amy Paulin said.
More information about the measles vaccine can be found here.
It is a testament to the respect and appreciation for New York’s AAPI community that elected officials from federal, state down to the most local government turned out to the Flushing, Queens, Lunar New Year parade to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Among them: US Senator Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Governor Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, state legislators, borough presidents, NYC councilmembers.
They spoke of how immigrants and diversity have contributed to the community, the state’s and the nation’s prosperity, applauded the success of the Flushing, Queens Asian community, and stood up for immigrants. They also applauded the significant achievement, after 20 years of prodding, that New York State made the Lunar New Year a state holiday – something that now Congresswoman Grace Meng began.
The whole celebratory tone of the parade – and the state’s support for diversity – is in contrast with the measures by Trump and his Project 2025 handlers to eliminate DEI (diversity,m equity, inclusion) from federal programs; the Defense Department under the White Nationalist Hegseth, has dispensed with celebrations of acknowledgements of everything from Black History Month and MLK Day, to Pride, and Trump went so far as to blame the recent Washington DC airline crash – the first fatal air crash in 16 years – on DEI policies. Trump blames everything else on immigration.
Peter Tu, executive director of the Flushing Chinese Business Association which organizes the parade/event, declared, “We are New York. We are America. We are as American as everyone else” and later added, “I’m an American. I love this country.”
Governor Kathy Hochul praised the community’s resilience after the coronavirus pandemic. “You fought back. We celebrate you” and pointed to the victory of a state-wide holiday for the Lunar New Year, which has wider impact than among the AAPI community, but provides “an opportunity for everyone to learn about this diverse community. They can’t take that away.”
Attorney General Letitia James committed to fighting to protect birthright citizenship, as enshrined in the Constitution. “We will defend immigrants. The Attorney General is on your side.
Queens Boro President Donovan Richards, Jr. said, “We have a lot to protect: immigrant rights, civil rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights. We will uphold our values, our Queens values, even as we battle the white house. We are the most diverse county in the United States. We will defend that.”
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, the former Majority Leader and now Minority leader, pointed to how powerful the AAPI community is , and pointing to his red hat and red socks, he joked “I am red from head to toe.”
But turning serious, Schumer said, “I believe strongly in this community, your future, the ladders for your children – the SAT is a ladder up for those without much money who want a better life. … You are our future. Your values – hard work, education, family, children climbing up the ladder, respect for elders, safe streets.”
He noted that with help of Congresswoman Grace Meng, the Congress passed the Asian Anti-Hate Act. And though he is now the Minority Leader, “I still have clout” and met with President Xi of China, and the presidents of Taiwan and Korea. “We need to work together, to have a strong relationship, for peace.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz praised the NYPD for keeping the borough safe – safe for parades, safe for parents. This parade, she said, celebrates the people who came before, while assimilating into America.
John Liu, the first Asian elected to City Council, now a state senator, noted that the statewide designation of Lunar New Year holiday “is part of the progress our community is making.”
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander noted that New York City has the largest Asian, and the largest Chinese population outside China. The Asian community, along with the Jewish, Dominican, Black and all the different heritages, “make out city a great city, the best for immigrants. We must protect all. All New Yorkers deserve to live in safety.”
This is the year of the Snake – the 6th of the 12 animal signs in the lunar calendar. The snake symbolizes renal and change, and the qualities of wisdom, calmness, determination, adaptability, mystery and transformation.
The celebration of the Lunar New Year dates back thousands of years, founded in the agricultural cycle and marking the period of time when farmers could take a rest from their work in the fields to be with their families.
In her proclamation to the FCBA, Governor Hochul noted “New York State is home to many Asian American Pacific Islander communities and we join in commemorating their most significant holiday rooted in ancient history and tradition as we welcome the arrival of Lunar New Year 4723 and share in festivities and celebrations to mark this joyous occasion.
“Our AAPI communities contribute significantly to American society and we recognize it is important that their ancestral heritage is passed down to younger generations; in 2023, I proudly signed legislation that designates lunar New Year as an official school holiday across New York State, providing a meaningful opportunity for children in the AAPI community to participate in an event that is such an inherent part of their culture, and to share with others one of the most beautiful holidays celebrated worldwide.”
Here are more highlights from the 2025 Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing, Queens:
The pink pussy hats are back, though not nearly the sea of pink of the 2017 Women’s March, the largest mass protest in history. This time, the hats and the signs demanding reproductive freedom and women’s rights were mixed in with the litany of protests that marked Trump’s first term.
Hundreds turned out for the Peoples’ protest at Foley Square in front of the U.S. Courthouse to hear demands for women’s rights, protection against mass deportation of immigrants, workers’ rights, climate action, gun violence prevention, universal health care. They railed against the rising oligarchy – capitalism run amok – fascism and White Christian Nationalism, spiced with a return to imperialism and colonialism and the deadening of democracy – in essence, they were protesting the entire Trump Project 2025 Agenda and his handpicked sychophants and henchmen. A cornucopia of the greatest hits of the 2017-2021 term, with anticipation, recognition and outright fear that Trump 2.0 is far worse, more unhinged and more dangerous.
“We march for many reasons but all for the same cause: defending our rights, our freedom and our future,” the organizers declared. “We are not going backwards.”
“If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours, that clean air and water are rights andnot privileges, that libraries should hold knowledge and not censorship, that gun violence must end, that healthcare and economic dignity are fundamental human rights—then this march is for you.
“This is about our collective power and centering the communities that have always been at the frontlines of change: Black and Brown voices, Women, Trans & Queer youth, immigrants and working-class people have always been the backbone of resistance. Today, we rise together to demand a future where everyone is free to exist & thrive.”
“This march is a bold demonstration of resilience and resistance, to unite the people who’ve been the backbone of justice for generations, and to welcome even more voices into the movement. We march to demand accountability from civil servants and remind them they answer to us. We march to inspire, energize, and drive change..This is our moment to remind Washington elites—and every American—where the power truly lives: with the people.”
The timing was significant – Saturday, January 18, before Trump is inaugurated (installed) by his facilitator, Chief Justice John Roberts, despite being an insurrectionist ineligible to hold federal office, instead of January 21, the day after as in 2017. Could it be because Trump has indicated he would order protesters shot, as he wanted to do to the Seattle protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, but was told then by one of his “guardrails” that it would be illegal. Trump 2.0 no longer has “guardrails” or even restraints – his pick to run the Defense Department, sex abuser Pete Hegseth, would not say he would refuse an order to shoot protesters, while Justice Roberts and his Imperial Supremes have granted Trump virtual immunity from criminal activity as long as Trump, even retroactively, labels it an “official act.” “Could he assassinate a political rival?” his attorney was asked? “Well, why yes,” was the reply.
Trump will use any sort of protest to call out the National Guard with instructions to shoot, beat up, arrest, prosecute, imprison – or worse, seize powers under the Insurrection Act and declare martial law, which would give him further excuse to clamp down on the press along with protest, dissent of any kind. Because that is who he is and who is backing him – the Heritage Foundation and WhiteChristoFascist authors of Project 2025.
So it is likely that future protests will have to undergo a “benefit versus risk-reward” analysis, especially when people are right to be skeptical about what such protests even accomplish. After all, millions turned out in 2017 and over and over again during the course of his four years, protesting his family separation policy, his refusal to address climate change and his disdain for science, the explosion in gun violence literally promoted by his hate speech and call to violence and his nod to neoNazi extremists (he calls them “evangelists”) and for his impeachment, while politicians have proved they cannot be shamed and no longer even care what constituents want or need, only that the oligarchs continue to back them.
Nonetheless, there is still an important reason to show up: it is to build community, to know you are not crazy for feeling your head will explode and the earth has tilted off its axis, to form new coalitions, and yes, to find new, better, more effective ways to resist and ultimately take back power.
The strategy now seems to be for all the movements – women’s rights, gender and trans rights, workers rights, climate and environmental justice activists, gun control activists, criminal justice and immigration reform activists, and those who oppose autocracy, oligarchy, fascism and White Christian Nationalism – to unify.
My question is: where were they BEFORE the election?
What will happen when – as Trump promises as soon as the day after inauguration – he unleashes “the biggest mass deportation in history,” uprooting parents and siblings from the 4.4 million U.S. citizen children who live with undocumented family? What will happen when raids are unleashed in workplaces, factories, hospitals, churches, courthouses, funerals, schools?
At the rally in Washington Square Park, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams pointed out that Hitler, who was democratically elected Chancellor and within 53 days had turned Germany into a fascist dictatorship, started with mass-deportation of Jews. Jews had lived in Germany for 1000 years, but it took just 10 years for Hitler to go from election to his Final Solution, the extermination of 6 million Jews. The Germans did nothing as Jews were forced from their homes into the streets where they were beaten and loaded onto cattle cars to concentration camps.
With an executive order, Trump can (and will) impose the Comstock Act and cut off access to abortion medication – the lifeline to pregnant women in the two dozen states that now ban abortion, while his hand-picked Texas judge has restarted a case, brought by three other states, to ban mifepresone and the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued a New York doctor for sending the abortion medication to a 20-year old Texas woman, even as the rate of maternal mortality spikes in Texas, pregnant women are dying for lack of access to emergency care, and 26,000 women have had to birth their rapist’s child.
But apparently, too few women have suffered or died for women (or the men who love them) to vote for Kamala Harris.
Throughout the rally, there were calls for workers to defeat the capitalist oppressors, and to recognize that women’s reproductive rights are also workers’ rights, a matter of economic as well as social justice. Yet the meme is that Trump had great appeal to working class because of the cost of a dozen eggs and a gallon of gas. But how does Arnold Palmer’s cock, sharks, windmills have anything to do with the cost of eggs or gas, except that he also calls climate change (and disasters, including California’s wildfires) a “sham” and his answer to grocery and gas prices is to “drill, drill, drill” (at the same time, pay back Big Oil for the $1 billion paid into his election).
Universal health care? The closest thing to that in history was President Biden’s campaign to end the COVID pandemic. Trump is intent on obliterating any notion of public health; he has threatened to withhold federal aid to schools that mandate children be vaccinated. One million people died from COVID-19, hundreds of thousands of whom could have been saved except for Trump’s mishandling and then the MAGA crusade against masks and vaccinations. What will happen when the next deadly pandemic hits especially with Trump naming RFK Jr as Health and Human Services Secretary and his interest in decimating the CDC?
New York’s People’s March (peoplesmarch.com) was only one of some 300 held around the country, including Washington DC where thousands turned out, Los Angeles, San Diego, Detroit, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boise, Spokane, Columbus and Raleigh.
