Category Archives: Public Safety, Health

Governor Kathy Hochul, Gun Violence Prevention, News & Photo Features, Public Safety-Crime-Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health, Public Safety, Health, Security, Supreme Court

Governor Hochul Joins Coalition of Governors to Urge Supreme Court to Uphold Commonsense Gun Safety Laws

Governors File Amicus Brief in Support of Assault Weapons Restrictions and States’ Constitutional Authority To Protect Against Gun Violence

Supreme Court Expected To Hear Oral Arguments on December 2, 2026

Read the Amicus Brief Here

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul in 2021 signed gun safety legislation. Every since, she has worked for gun violence prevention, controlling illegal guns, and pushing back against Supreme Court’s reinterpretation of the 2nd Amendment that overrules states’ and localities’ ability to protect their people © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

As Trump and the MAGAgop advance the “guns anywhere, everywhere” policy – even reversing the commonsense gun safety regulations put forward after the Parkland and Sandy Hook massacres, it is notable that Trump made no comment, completely ignored, the latest school shooting. “Donald Trump and MAGA gun extremists are once again making their fear-mongering and guns everywhere agenda a big part of the 2026 elections. This is a dangerous threat we must take seriously,” writes Everytown.

When the Supreme Court overturned New York State’s century-old gun control law, Governor Kathy Hochul immediately passed legislation to protect New Yorkers while falling within SCOTUS’ new limits.

And while her Republican challenger, Nassau County Bruce Blakeman, has opposed her gun safety legislation and hijacked her success in reducing violent crime and runs on a “public safety, anti-crime” platform, it is Governor Hochul who can claim success in record drops in crime statewide, largely due to Biden-era federal and state funding into prevention programs. She has also built a coalition of states to address the illegal guns that come from “guns-everywhere” permissive states like Florida, and now, she is joining a coalition of governors to urge the Supreme Court to uphold commonsense gun safety laws.

Here’s what’s at stake, according to Everytown:

Assault weapons bans work. When the federal assault weapons ban was in place between 1994 and 2004, it was effective in preventing public mass shootings and reducing the number of fatalities and injuries when these tragedies occurred.

Had it remained in effect from 2005 to 2022, research shows that we could have prevented 38 mass shootings.

11 states and Washington, D.C. have already banned these military–style weapons. And six federal appeals courts have upheld bans on assault weapons and large–capacity magazines as constitutional.

But now, the Supreme Court will decide whether states have the right to ban assault weapons. On December 2, 2026, the justices will hear arguments in Viramontes v. Cook County, a Second Amendment challenge to bans on assault weapons in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois.

Note: there is no “gun” or “guns” in the Constitution, not even the hallowed Second Amendment, which refers to “well-regulated” “militia” in order to protect the state and “firearms” when “firearm” referred to any weapon carried on the body and the most advanced musket was a single ball. The Founders could hardly have imagined semi-automatic pistols and machine gun-like rifles that could massacre dozens in seconds. – Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

Governor Hochul today joined 10 fellow governors in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, urging the Court to uphold state and local assault weapons restrictions and preserve states’ constitutional authority to protect their residents from gun violence. Filed through GovAct’s Safer Communities Initiative, the brief argues that state-level assault weapons laws are both constitutional and save lives. Furthermore, the brief lays out the costs that states must bear in the wake of mass shootings — ranging from hospital costs to victim services.

“Combating gun violence is personal to me. Four years ago, I stood with neighbors in my hometown of Buffalo after a hate-fueled gunman used an assault weapon to terrorize innocent New Yorkers. It is unconscionable that our highest court would consider striking down a law designed to keep communities safe from this kind of horror,” Governor Hochul said.“Today, I am joining governors from across the country to remind the Supreme Court of the lives at stake if they choose to dismantle our assault weapons ban, and to fight for our right to protect against gun violence.”

The cases before the Court challenge laws in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois that regulate certain semiautomatic assault weapons, including AR-15-style rifles equipped with features that increase lethality. A ruling striking down these protections could invalidate lifesaving laws across the country and block states from enacting commonsense public safety measures moving forward.

Linda Beigel Schulman, who became a gun safety activist after losing her son, Scott, in the Parkville massacre: “Are we entitled to be safe, live without fear?”

The amicus brief highlights research demonstrating that assault weapons restrictions can reduce the lives lost to gun violence. One recent study found that counties in states with assault weapons restrictions experienced 41 percent fewer mass-shooting fatalities than counties in states without such protections. Research consistently shows mass shootings involving assault weapons are significantly deadlier than those involving other firearms, leading to more innocent lives lost and families forever changed.

The brief draws on Governors’ firsthand experiences responding to devastating mass shootings. They write: “In the wake of assault-weapon mass shootings, members of the Governors Safer Communities Initiative have stood with grieving families, exhausted first responders, and community members working to rebuild. The safety of our residents is our obligation, and it is at stake.”

The Governors argue that the Constitution has long recognized states’ authority to protect public health and safety, and that elected state leaders must retain the flexibility to enact policies tailored to their communities’ needs.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the consolidated cases on December 2, 2026. The full amicus brief is available here.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has committed $4 billion to public safety initiatives including more than $1 billion in gun violence prevention. These investments have contributed to a 67 percent reduction in shooting incidents involving injury over the past five years in the 28 communities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.

Governor Hochul has also spearheaded significant changes to state firearms laws to help keep New Yorkers safe including: expanding New York’s partnership with 11 other states to intercept weapons along the I-95 corridor, enhancing Red Flag Laws to keep guns away from individuals who are a risk to themselves and others, strengthening New York’s concealed carry laws in response to the Supreme Court’s reckless Bruen decision, and taking action in response to the Trump Administration’s proposed rollbacks that would make sweeping and dangerous changes to federal firearms regulations.

This year, Governor Hochul sustained record-level investments in prevention, intervention and enforcement, including addressing emerging threats such as 3-D printed guns and DIY machine guns. Last week, Governor Hochul signed two additional commonsense gun safety laws to expand firearm safe storage requirements and prevent individuals from purchasing ammunition when they are legally prohibited from purchasing guns.

Governor Kathy Hochul, News & Photo Features, Public Safety, Health, Technology-AI, Women & Family

NYS Governor Hochul Signs Nation-Leading Legislation to Protect Kids from AI Chatbots and Ensure Baby Monitor Safety

S.9508/A.5175A Requires Internet-Connected Baby Monitors to Include Safety Features and Clear Warning Labels

S.9051B/A.10379C Bans Unsafe AI Chatbot Features for Minors, Including Bots that Pretend to Be Human, Encourage Self Harm or Engage in Inappropriate Conversations with Kids

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Nation-Leading Record on Putting Guardrails on AI, Including First in the Nation AI Companion Safeguards, the RAISE Act, the Ban on AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Material, Safe by Design and Safe for Kids Acts

Governor Kathy Hochul comes to North Hempstead to cheer on North Hempstead Democrats including Juleigh Chin, candidate for County Legislature’s District 9, Kim Keiserman (Assembly-16th), Charles D. Lavine (Assembly-13th) and Skylar A. Epstein (Legislator-10th) © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills to protect New York’s kids from the growing risks of artificial intelligence chatbots and internet-connected baby monitors in their homes, nurseries and playrooms. Together these laws build on the Governor’s efforts to make New York a national leader in keeping kids safe online and protecting New Yorkers from the threats of new technology and artificial intelligence.

“As artificial intelligence advances at a rapid pace, there have been too many tragic incidents that should have been prevented, and as New York’s mom Governor, I’m taking action,” Governor Hochul said. “No company should be peddling chatbots to kids encouraging self-harm or pretending to be their friend or more. And no new parent should have to worry that predatory hackers are spying on their new family through their baby monitors. New York is sending a clear message: if you want to do business in our state, you need to put the safety of our kids first.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James said,“I was proud to work with Governor Hochul, Senator Gonzalez, Assemblymember Bores, and Common Sense Media to protect our children from the potential harms of AI chatbots. We have seen too many horror stories of chatbots hurting the health of our children, and this new law sets clear legal parameters to prevent that harm and keep kids safe. My office will continue working with partners at all levels of government to address the threats posed by this technology, while also clearing the way for safe, responsible innovation. New York’s eye is on the ball—and we will not hesitate to defend New Yorkers with the full force of the law.”

S.9508/A.5175A requires internet-connected baby monitors sold in New York to include security features that block strangers from watching or listening in, along with a clear warning label.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “Baby monitors are meant to help parents keep an eye on their newborn, not to let prying eyes into our homes. These new technologies can be helpful, but they pose real cybersecurity risks. My bill mandates privacy features that prevent strangers from seeing or hearing what’s happening in a child’s room, and ensures devices have clear warning labels so families know how those features work. That way, parents can sleep soundly knowing they and their kids are safe. Thanks to Governor Hochul for her partnership on this effort.”

Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “A baby monitor should keep watch for parents, not open the door for hackers and strangers. Now, every internet connected baby monitor sold in New York must be built to keep intruders out and clearly labeled so families know how to stay safe. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation into law and Senator Gounardes, my Senate sponsor, for his partnership in protecting New York families.”

Baby monitors can be an open door into the home. When security researchers at Rapid7 tested nine internet-connected baby monitors from eight companies, eight monitors received an “F” for security and one received a “D”. This new law prohibits the sale of new baby monitors that broadcast audio or video over the internet unless they include security features that prevent strangers from seeing or hearing what is happening in the child’s room. Monitors must also carry a clear, easy-to-read warning label explaining that the device connects to the internet and that families should use its security features. The law will take effect 90 days after signing.

S.9051B/A.10379C prohibits companies that utilize AI chatbot features from offering unsafe features to minors, including chatbots that pretend to be human, build emotional dependency, encourage self-harm or engage in sexually explicit conversations.

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “We have a responsibility to keep children safe online. For too long, AI companies have profited from rolling out chatbots to underage consumers. These chatbots have proven to be dangerous for children—from instances of encouraging self-harm to coaching minors on how to harm others. We passed S9051B/A10379C alongside Assemblymember Bores to put real guardrails on how chatbots talk to children. Thank you to Common Sense Media, impacted families, and the coalition that relentlessly advocated for this bill to be passed. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership in signing this bill and her commitment to making New York a leader in responsible AI.”

Assemblymember Alex Bores said, “For everyone wondering whether the public can have any say in determining how AI impacts us, New York again has an answer: Absolutely. New York now has the strongest law in the country protecting children from predatory AI algorithms, raising the floor yet again when it comes to common sense regulation — and doing so despite aggressive industry opposition. Our state’s leadership is a reminder to the rest of the country that AI happening to us — not for us — is not an inevitability. It’s a choice.”

AI Chatbots and connected devices have taken a significant role in our homes and lives faster than safety protections can keep up. According to Common Sense Media, most teens are already using AI companions. Seventy-two percent of teens have used an AI companion once, and 52% are regular users who interact with them at least a few times a month. AI chatbots have been linked to dependency, isolation, and in some cases, engaged in sexually explicit conversations and even have allegedly encouraged teens to take their own lives.

Building on the Governor’s first in the nation AI Companion safeguards, this legislation requires AI chatbots block harmful features if offered to kids. In the coming months, companies may not offer the following features to users that are under 18, or to any user unless the company has first confirmed the user is not a minor:

  • Pretending to be a real person, to be alive or to have human emotions
  • Claiming a personal, romantic, professional or authority-figure relationship with a child
  • Unprompted emotional questions, and using a child’s private health or personal information from earlier conversations
  • Promoting or helping with suicide, self harm, eating disorders or drug and alcohol use
  • Encouraging kids to keep secrets, isolate themselves or avoid asking parents, trusted adults or professionals for help
  • Any sexually explicit content or child sexual abuse material

The law also requires companies to conduct age verification and offer more than one way to verify age, including at least one option that does not depend solely on a government ID. It also requires that age information be deleted after it is used. Violations would allow the attorney general to seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation along with damages, restitution, the destruction of unlawfully collected data or any AI models trained on it, and any other appropriate injunctive relief. Additionally the law requires the attorney general to maintain a public website where New Yorkers can file complaints.

Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer said,“New York just made history by signing into law the strongest kids’ AI safety bill in the country. AI companies offer chatbots with features that are dangerous, and even deadly, for kids and teens. That is not innovation; it is reckless endangerment of our children. Now, those harmful features will be outlawed in New York. This new law is a model for the country, and we applaud Governor Hochul for her leadership, and we thank Senator Gonzalez, Assemblymember Bores and Attorney General James, for pushing this measure forward. And we are especially grateful to the many parents, like Maria and Matt Raine and others, for joining us to meet with lawmakers to advocate for this critical bill.”

New York State United Teachers Teachers President Melinda Person said, “Governor Hochul continues to lead the way in protecting our kids from harmful technology. From creating distraction-free schools to taking on addictive social media algorithms, she has listened to parents and educators and taken bold action to put kids first. Now, she’s confronting the risks posed by AI chatbots. Our kids deserve the chance to learn, grow and build real human connections without technology getting in the way. I applaud Governor Hochul for continuing to stand up to Big Tech and put the well-being of our children first.”

Governor Hochul’s Record on Responsible AI

This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to address the youth mental health crisis statewide and help keep kids safe online. This work has established New York as a global leader in securing a safer online world for children, and as of this year New York is ranked number one in the U.S. for laws that keep kids safe online. Initiatives include:

  • The SAFE for Kids Act, which restricts addictive features of social media for kids, and established an important national precedent about age verification.
  • The Child Data Protection Act that prevents online operators from collecting and monetizing children’s data without informed consent.
  • The RAISE Act, a nation-leading standard for AI transparency and safety for powerful frontier AI models.
  • AI Companion legislation which set first-in-the-nation safeguards, diverting user conversations about self-harm to mental health resources and interrupting unhealthy addictive behaviors.
  • The Governor also outlawed AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
  • The Unplug and Play Agenda which helps encourage healthy socialization and child development by funding social infrastructure, physical sites like playgrounds, community centers, and pools, and expanded youth programming.
  • New York’s Distraction Free Learning Policy, requiring statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools, which is already resulting in greater academic achievement, improved student wellbeing, and safer school environments for students.
  • The Social Media Warning Labels bill that will require social media companies to post warnings about the platform’s potential impact on mental health.
  • The Safe by Design Act, which will protect kids from predatory behavior online and defaults them to the highest privacy settings.
  • Teen Mental Health First Aid training that equips youth with skills to recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges and know how to ask for help.
  • Youth Safe Spaces, where trusted community organizations provide supportive, non-judgmental environments where young people can access mental wellness resources, foster positive peer relationships, and engage in non-clinical activities.
  • The Power Down, Speak Up public awareness campaign launched by the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) that helps to empower young people statewide to recognize and respond to online abuse while equipping parents, educators, and law enforcement with tools to help keep youth safe online.
  • OPDV’s Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) Training, which has already trained more than 4,000 youth, parents, educators, and law enforcement professionals on preventing and responding to online abuse.
Affordability, Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State politics, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, Public Safety-Crime-Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health

Governor Hochul Signs Budget that Makes New York More Affordable, Keeps New Yorkers Safe, Expands Opportunity for All

Putting New York on Path to Statewide Universal Childcare

$1 Billion in One-Time Energy Rebate Checks

Puts Ratepayers First in Push To Reduce Utility Costs

Protecting New Yorkers From ICE Overreach

Making More Than $900 Million Record Investment in Public Safety Funding To Continue Driving Down Crime and Keeping New Yorkers Safe

Advances First-in-the-Nation Legislation To Ban Illegal, Homegrown 3D-Printed Ghost Guns and DIY Machine Guns

Measures To Reduce Insurance Rates for Drivers

Offsets Rising Costs for Farmers Due to Federal Tariffs

No Tax on Tips for Hardworking New Yorkers

Improving Transparency in the Residential Property Insurance Market

Governor Kathy Hochul signed her FY 2027 Budget making New York more affordable, keeping New Yorkers safe and expanding opportunity for all © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Governor Kathy Hochul signed her FY 2027 Budget making New York more affordable, keeping New Yorkers safe and expanding opportunity for all. The Governor delivered sweeping measures to lower costs including putting New York on a path to universal childcare, reducing utility costs and delivering energy rebate checks, and bringing auto insurance rates down for drivers. She also implemented a surcharge on luxury New York City second homes, generating much needed revenue for the City without impacting everyday New Yorkers. Additionally, the Governor continues to build on her unprecedented investments in public safety with more than $900 million in funding, measures to crack down on illegal 3D printed guns, and a nation leading package of immigration protections that keep New Yorkers safe.

“Every proposal included in this Budget was a fight for New Yorkers and their future. Working with my partners in the Legislature, we delivered an ambitious agenda that will lower costs for hardworking families, keep New Yorkers safe and create opportunity for all,” Governor Hochul said. “While Washington continues to make life more difficult for New Yorkers, I’m doing everything in my power to make real, tangible progress on the issues New Yorkers are facing and I will always fight for the people who call this great state home.”

Delivering Universal Childcare

Governor Hochul is putting New York State on a pathway toward universal childcare, beginning with committing to investments that will support the delivery of affordable childcare to up to nearly 100,000 additional children.

The Governor’s landmark investment will increase funding by $1.7 billion bringing the total FY27 investment to $4.5 billion for childcare and prekindergarten services statewide.

These investments will:

  • Make Pre-K truly universal statewide by making funding available to provide high-quality pre-k seats for all four-year-olds in the State by the start of the 2028-29 school year.
  • Partner with New York City to launch the Mayor’s signature 2-Care program and finally realize the promise of universal 3K access in New York City.
  • Support counties in building out New York’s First 3 Program providing high-quality affordable childcare to families across the state regardless of income.
  • Expand childcare subsidies to tens of thousands of additional families.
  • Support the workforce through early childhood educator preparation.
  • Launch an Office of Childcare and Early Education to steer the implementation of high-quality, universal childcare for New York families and will work to enhance awareness of the Child Tax Credit to ensure as many New Yorkers as possible benefit from the Governor’s historic expansion of the program that increased the credit from $330 per child to $1,000 annually for children under four.

Tackling Utility Costs

New Yorkers deserve reliable energy at a price they can afford, which is why Governor Hochul is proposing a sweeping set of reforms to modernize the Public Service Law, demanding strict fiscal discipline from utilities and empowering the State to fight more effectively for lower bills.

In her FY27 Budget, the Governor is putting ratepayers first by:

  • Issuing one-time $1 billion Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) checks to help provide needed relief. The POWER program will provide $200 to joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 to joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000. Tying executive pay directly to customer affordability,
  • Requiring utilities to present a budget constrained option when requesting a rate increase to ensure efficiency and affordability are prioritized,
  • Ensuring customers do not foot the bill for hidden costs like lobbying, political contributions and unnecessary executive travel.
  • Allowing for the installation of an “Affordability Monitor” within any utility company when the average residential bills creep too high.
  • Modernizing the way utility rate cases are reviewed to help keep prices manageable.
  • Incentivizing the use of smart thermostats to help reduce energy usage and lower bills.
  • Establishing the RATES commission, bringing together consumer advocates and energy experts to investigate the root causes of surging utility bills, evaluate utility profits, review energy market designs and recommend actionable, transparent reforms.

Pied-à-Terre Tax on Luxury Second Homes in New York City

Governor Hochul’s Budget includes a pied-à-terre tax, a surcharge that will apply to high-value – $5 million or more – second homes within New York City. The tax ensures that those who own luxury properties as their second homes are still fairly contributing towards the funding of essential services like policing or parks that make New York City a global destination.

Given the complexity of New York City’s property tax system, the pied-à-terre surcharge makes accommodations in the short term transition phase for the ways in which different property types are currently valued in New York City, while ensuring the surcharge is applied fairly and immediately to luxury properties. The proposal is expected to generate at least $500 million a year in recurring revenue for New York City without impacting everyday New Yorkers.

Protecting New Yorkers From ICE Overreach

Governor Hochul has enacted a sweeping set of laws to protect New Yorkers against aggressive federal immigration enforcement as part of the FY27 Enacted Budget.

These new laws will expand protections by:

  • Prohibiting state, local and federal officers from wearing face covering while interacting with the public.
  • Prohibiting local governments, state and local police and state and local corrections from entering into 287(g) Agreements or similar agreements with the federal government that allow for state and local law enforcement personnel and facilities to be used for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
  • Establishing a state law under which New Yorkers can bring a lawsuit against federal, state and local government officials for a violation of their constitutional rights.
  • Prohibiting the use of state and local civilian agencies and public school resources, including employee time, for immigration enforcement activities.
  • Prohibiting civilian state, local and school employees (including higher education and K-12) from permitting access to any non-public area of a state-owned or operated facility to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant, meaning any state or municipally owned, or operated facility including housing accommodations, parks, childcare facilities, preschools, hospitals, schools, dorms, healthcare facilities, community centers, libraries and shelters, cannot grant or facilitate access to any non-public areas of their facilities to immigration authorities without a warrant.
  • Ensuring immigrant students can access education, codifying the right to a free public education regardless of immigration status.

Record Investments in Public Safety

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has invested more than $3 billion in public safety initiatives. The funding has provided record support for local and state law enforcement that has contributed to gun violence reaching record lows, reduced subway crime and combated pandemic-era surges in motor vehicle and retail thefts.

This Budget adds more than $900 million to those record investments and strengthens public safety by:

  • Prioritizing New Yorkers’ safety throughout the transit system. The Governor secured an additional $77 million to support the deployment of NYPD officers across the subway system and $25 million for expanding the Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams initiative to respond more quickly to individuals in acute distress.
  • Establishing a pilot program for New York City requiring the installation of Intelligent Speed Assistance devices in the vehicles of so-called “super speeders,” drivers with a documented pattern of flouting speeding laws and putting New Yorkers at risk.
  • Advancing a comprehensive approach to both prohibit risky drone use and expand responsible use of drones as first responders by creating a crime for dangerous drone use and flying in and around restricted areas, and authorizing the use of detection and mitigation efforts by qualified law enforcement officers.
  • Protecting safe access to worship — creating a new crime for knowingly and intentionally interfering with a person seeking to enter or exit a place of religious worship or acting in a way that makes a person within 50 feet of a place of worship fear for their safety.

Stopping Illegal Homegrown Guns

Governor Hochul has passed the strongest gun laws in the nation and made record investments in gun violence prevention, resulting in New York having the fewest shooting incidents statewide in 2025 in recorded history.

Governor Hochul’s FY27 Enacted Budget will:

  • Require first-in-the-nation minimum safety standards for 3D printers sold in New York to be equipped with basic technology that prevents the unlicensed, illegal production of lethal firearms and firearm parts.
  • Require the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to lead a task force of experts to recommend regulations that will ensure New Yorkers are protected from these dangerous weapons. Following the implementation of the resulting regulations, state law will allow for recourse against any actor who sells a 3D printer in New York without equipping it with such technology.
  • Criminalize the unlawful possession, sale, or distribution of blueprints that allow the printing of illegal guns and gun parts, and the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms.
  • Prohibit gun manufacturers and firearms dealers from selling pistols that can be quickly and easily converted into machine guns using common tools.

Lowering Car Insurance Rates for New Yorkers

Fraud is a major driver of elevated auto insurance premiums. Increasingly sophisticated actors stage elaborate accidents, designed to allow for “jackpot” payouts from insurance companies or jury awards. These schemes imperil the safety of honest drivers, cause property damage, and increase rates for drivers across the state. Increasingly, scams go beyond just one bad actor at the wheel and are orchestrated by organized criminal rings.

The Governor’s plan will:

  • Cap payouts for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, including uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and drivers in the act of committing a felony.
  • Better define what actually constitutes a ‘serious injury’ so that damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress are reserved for those able to objectively demonstrate that they have suffered a serious injury.
  • Ensure that if a driver is found to be mostly at fault for causing an accident, they cannot claim outsized payments for damages.
  • Prevent insurance companies from exorbitantly raising rates by setting a legal threshold that prevents excess profits and returns savings to consumers.
  • Create new regulatory safeguards to prevent insurance companies from raising rates without seeking express approval from the Department of Financial Services.
  • Protect consumers by prohibiting insurance companies from setting rates based on extraneous, personal factors like homeownership status, occupation, education level or zip code.
  • Enable prosecutors to seek criminal penalties against any individual responsible for organizing a staged accident, not just the particular individual behind the wheel.
  • These measures come in addition to the Governor’s whole-of-government approach to combatting fraud by tasking DFS, DMV, DCJS and NYSP with a more proactive and coordinated approach to enforcement.
  • The Governor’s plan also includes transparency for auto insurance policyholders by requiring insurers to notify policyholders about rate changes.

Protecting Vulnerable Renters and Homeowners

High prices and unscrupulous landlords are driving too many tenants out of their homes and making it harder for vulnerable homeowners to make ends meet. Governor Hochul has secured agreements to help address these issues in the FY27 Budget including:

  • Protecting renters by clarifying anti-harassment laws.
  • Enacting stiffer criminal penalties for landlords who engage in systemic harassment of rent-regulated tenants across multiple buildings or who are repeat serious offenders of existing anti-harassment laws.

To ensure that housing remains affordable for both seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities who are living in rent-regulated housing and Mitchell-Lama affordable housing, Governor Hochul’s final FY27 Budget:

  • Increases income eligibility limits for New York’s Rent Freeze Program for both the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and Disability Rent Increase Exemption from $50,000 to $75,000.
  • Authorizes raising the eligibility for the Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption and Disabled Homeowner’s Exemption from $50,000 to $75,000.
  • Adds notice requirements to make more elderly and disabled rent-regulated tenants aware of the SCRIE/DRIE rent freeze programs.

Consistent with current practice, New York City and other communities may opt into both the SCRIE/DRIE and SCHE/DHE programs.

Improving Transparency in the Residential Property Insurance Market

Homeowners and housing providers across the state are contending with escalating home insurance premiums and shrinking options for coverage, which threaten the affordability of New York’s single and multi-family homes. While single family home insurance rates in New York are on average lower than many other states — thanks to New York’s tightly regulated market — year over year increases in insurance rates still threaten to sap money from families’ pocketbooks and make multi-family housing less and less affordable for homeowners and renters. For years, New Yorkers have not been properly informed about the reasons for rising premiums. This year, the Governor’s reforms will increase transparency for consumers and give the Department of Financial Services (DFS) a better understanding of the multi-family market with new data from insurers.

 Governor Hochul is tackling this problem head-on by:

  • Requiring insurers to provide detailed information to DFS on how they price policies for multifamily residential buildings.
  • Increasing transparency for home insurance as well as auto insurance by requiring insurers to notify policyholders about rate changes.

Protecting New York Farmers from the Disruption of Federal Tariffs

Agriculture is a cornerstone of New York’s economy, yet the federal government’s tariff policy has threatened the competitiveness of our farmers. Federal actions have driven up the cost of essential resources — like seeds, fertilizer, and necessary machinery — while creating market instability. Although the USDA recently announced a national assistance program, it is fundamentally flawed for New York since it leaves specialty crops and the dairy sector with no meaningful support. 

To relieve farmers from the adverse impacts caused by federal tariffs, Governor Hochul will:

  • Create the Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program, which will provide $30 million in direct payments to New York specialty crop growers, livestock producers, aquaculture, and dairy farmers.
  • This initiative will quickly distribute much needed support to offset rising costs caused by tariffs.
  • This program reinforces New York’s commitment to our agricultural community, while safeguarding local jobs and ensuring our farmers have the certainty needed to compete in a volatile global marketplace.

Helping New Yorkers Put Food on the Table

The recent shutdown of the federal government reminded the nation of how precarious our nutrition safety net is and how many New Yorkers contend with food insecurity. In response to the shutdown, Governor Hochul rushed an additional $65 million toward food assistance programs that delivered meals to tens of thousands of New Yorkers in their hour of need. To build on these actions and further reinforce our emergency food system:

  • Governor Hochul is announcing a $51 million investment in the Department of Health (DOH)’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) program, which will help New York’s network of about 2,700 food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens reach more New Yorkers in need. An additional $15 million will strengthen and expand operations, allowing them to reach more people with healthier options.
  • The Enacted Budget also includes $55 million for the Nourish New York Program, which reroutes surplus agricultural products to those who need them most through the state’s food banks.

Theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is an epidemic across the United States, with hundreds of millions of dollars illegally stolen from families’ EBT cards nationwide using illegal “skimming” devices. Governor Hochul’s FY27 Budget will protect New Yorkers from this predatory behavior by:

  • Upgrading New York’s EBT cards to secure chip-based technology that makes cards virtually impervious to skimming. While the federal administration tries to strip SNAP benefits from as many New Yorkers as possible and turns a blind eye to criminals taking food from vulnerable families, transitioning to chip-based EBT cards will help safeguard the SNAP dollars that New Yorkers depend on.

The Governor’s plan will also:

  • Establish New York PLATES, a statewide competitive $10 million grant program for eligible food pantries that will fund capital projects, to increase the capacity of these critical organizations and enable food pantries to safely store, transport and distribute food to more families.
  • Support localities in expanding free summer meal sites.

No Taxes on Tips for Hardworking New Yorkers

Tipped workers — New York’s bartenders, servers, and deliveristas — are the backbone of the state’s service economy. In jobs that demand long hours and daily dedication, every dollar is hard-won. Governor Hochul is committed to making sure tipped workers can hold on to more of what they earn. The Governor passed legislation that eliminates state income taxes on up to $25,000 of tipped income in tax year 2026, consistent with federal tax guidance.

Governor Hochul’s FY27 Budget builds on her efforts to put more money back in New Yorkers’ pockets. To date, her administration has:

  • Cut middle-class taxes to their lowest rates in 70 years, ensuring families keep more of the paychecks they earn.
  • Raised New York’s minimum wage and tied future increases to inflation so a day’s work covers a day’s needs.
  • Implemented an historic expansion of New York’s Child Tax Credit, also known as the Empire State Child Credit, to provide families up to $1,000 per child under the age of four beginning in 2026, and up to $500 for school-aged children beginning in 2027, substantially increasing the previous maximum of $330.
  • Made school meals free for every student, saving families $1,600 per child every year and making sure no child goes hungry at school.
  • Sent Inflation Refund checks to 8.2 million New Yorkers — up to $200 for individuals and up to $400 for families.
  • Increased the maximum weekly unemployment benefit by $300 a week so people can focus on finding work, not keeping the lights on.
  • Established a nation-leading birth allowance — the New York State BABY Benefit (Birth Allowance for Beginning Year Benefit) — providing $1,800 to new parents receiving Public Assistance when they have a new baby.
Nassau County Government, News & Photo Features, Public Safety-Crime-Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Health, Public Safety, Health, Security

Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman Touts Immigration Arrests, Law Enforcement Creds in State of County Speech

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman touts  immigration arrests, law enforcement creds in his State of the County speech © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com

In his State of the County speech, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman focused on public safety, law enforcement, boasted about the county’s alliance with ICE and its ban on transgender school kids playing on girls’ teams, as the key accomplishments  of his administration.

Blakeman, who declared his intention to run for governor the day after his reelection, thanked the audience of county officials and electeds for the honor of serving as the county executive, closed out his 20-minute speech saying, “Looking ahead my commitment will remain stronger than ever. I want us all to continue to thrive. We have the lowest poverty rate in the state- that makes me happy. I want all our residents to live in prosperity, have a good job, good benefits, enjoy not just the necessities but luxuries – vacation, going out to dinner, buying daughter a prom dress. I want Nassau County to remain safest, most affordable, healthiest to live, work, and raise a family in all of America”

Missing from this speech was his usual jabs at Governor Hochul – such as Hochul’s audacity at proposing a no-nonsense plan to build affordable housing – which is interesting in light of his declaration to challenge her for governor. But the speech deliberately omitted any mention of his aspirations or the fact that if he is serious about running for governor, that will be his focus until November, leaving the county’s administration to an unelected underling.

Blakeman offered little in the way of economic development achievements, beyond reducing the time for approvals for business applications. Most of the significant projects were actually through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Program, infrastructure grants and other programs. But he was unable to cite any projects to mitigate climate change, enhance resilience or sustainability, or build upon efforts to turn Long Island into a biomedical, science and research hub.

Blakeman, who vigorously opposed Governor Hochul’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing, uncharacteristically cited one project: Frank Stiller’s Tunnels to Towers Foundation is investing $20 million to turn “a rundown, crime ridden” stretch of Long Beach into 50 new homes for vets, first responders and Gold Star families, “which guarantees all who served … a safe and welcoming place in Nassau.”

He boasted of not having raised property taxes for the entirety of his time in office – not mentioning that he has been sitting on close to $1 billion in unspent federal and state grant money, including almost $100 million in opioid settlement funds, in order to use the interest revenue.

But what he is most proud of are the policies and programs that mimic the Trump/MAGA administration’s “anti-woke” – that is anti-political correctness – policies:

“Under our leadership, we stand up for fairness, commonsense in sports- in Nassau County boys play with boys, girls play with girls,” he declared to a standing ovation. “Girls should not be forced to compete in an unfair, unsafe environment. We won’t have bullying. We always protect our girls.”

Blakeman also took a jab at the state’s Education Department which has banned the use of Native American mascots. “My admin will continue to support the traditions and histories of local communities. We are a staunch ally to keep Massapequa the Chiefs, and Wantagh the Warriors, resisting Albany’s efforts to erase our history.” (Actually, the Indian American mascots they have used are not the same tribe that actually lived in Massapequa or Wantagh.)

But he is most visibly connecting to Trump’s policy with his anti-immigrant stance, boasting “Nassau County under my executive order is not a sanctuary county,” receiving another standing ovation.

“In partnership with our federal partners in ICE, Nassau County coordinated the largest gang take down in history – hundreds of arrests, we removed dangerous criminals – MS13.. Our partnership with ICE has removed over 200 illegal migrants who committed crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, carjacking and human trafficking,” Blakeman said, adding that there were no raids at schools, hospitals, churches, daycare. “All arrests are targeted to removing criminals from community.”

He was referring to an incident where over the course of four days in August, 42 people were arrested, of which 25 were gang members, mostly of MS-13.

Of these, 33 of the offenders were in ICE custody without bond, pending removal.

“If there was somebody that was apprehended, and that individual was going to be released because of the cashless bail laws, we notified ICE, came and picked them up, so that they would not continue to do harm to our community,” Blakeman said. (https://abc7ny.com/post/ms13-gang-arrest-42-arrested-4-days-nassau-countys-largest-takedowns/17586503/)

But he tried to moderate his stance, announcing he is working with federal officials to launch a guest worker program aimed at helping businesses fill jobs across Nassau County. The program would focus on what he described as “law-abiding” immigrants.

“Our business community needs these workers. We will continue to work to improve their situations in Nassau County by working with federal officials,” Blakeman said.

Blakeman focused almost entirely on law enforcement, noting that Nassau County is once again (as it was under his Democratic predecessor Laura Curran) the safest county of its size in the country.

Governor Kathy Hochul in Long Island in 2024 to tout steep reductions in crime rates © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Actually violent crime is down across the state and New York City remains the safest big city in the country largely because of federal funding and historic state investments in new crime-fighting initiatives statewide including Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. SNUG Street Outreach program, Crime Analysis Centers, and Project RISE.

But while Blakeman likes to focus on public safety, he has ignored the epidemic of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities in Nassau County, a no-show at summits and conferences dedicated to road safety.

Traffic fatalities in Nassau County rose to at least 78 in 2025, up from 67 in 2024,  according to data from Newsday’s fatality tracker, while serious injuries increased significantly in 2024 (latest available data) to 873, up from 744 in 2023, according to Newsday. The increase in traffic fatalities in Nassau County is despite the fact traffic fatalities fell across New York State in 2025. Newsday has had an ongoing investigation into Long Island’s Dangerous Roads, concluding that the area has experienced higher rates of fatal crashes due to heavy car reliance, aggressive driving, and dangerous road designs for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Almost at the same time as Blakeman was delivering his speech at the County’s Theodore Roosevelt Legislative Building, two pedestrians were struck and killed in separate accidents in Roslyn. 63-year old Elena Crowley, worked as a security aide at Roslyn HIgh School, was struck by a 57-year-old man driving a 2025 GMC pickup truck on Briard Street; earlier in the day, 69-year-old woman, Claudia Moncada of Glen Cove, was crossing the eastbound lanes of Glen Cove Road when she was struck by a red 2018 Dodge Challenger driven by a 26-year-old man traveling north.

Blakeman has done nothing to attempt to incorporate the recommendations of traffic engineers to improve road safety, nor promote a public education campaign aimed at encouraging a responsible, safe-driving culture.

His one public statement on traffic enforcement came from an attack on the state legislature which was contemplating restricting law enforcement’s ability to stop drivers as a pretext to checking their immigration status.

By the same token, he has done nothing for public health, using the same “ostrich with head in the sand” as Trump, resulting in hundreds of thousands of needless deaths. Coming into the office during the Omnicron version of the COVID-19 epidemic, he immediately declared COVID finished, and has never published incidents of coronavirus or flu, or urged residents to get vaccinations and boosters, in light of the administration’s anti-vax crusade.

Democratic Response

Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (third from right on dais) with County Legislators at the end of County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s State of the County speech © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

In her Democratic response, Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton declared, “Tonight we heard a polished speech filled with promises. But Nassau County residents deserve results, and after five years, the gap between Bruce Blakeman’s rhetoric and reality couldn’t be clearer.”

DeRiggi-Whitton pointed to several key promises the County Executive made when he first ran for office that remain unfulfilled.

“When he ran in 2021, Bruce Blakeman promised to fix Nassau’s broken assessment system,” she said. “Five years later, it’s more broken than ever because he kept assessment rolls frozen, a move that hurts taxpayers while benefiting tax grievance firms that fund his campaigns.”

She also criticized the administration for failing to deliver on promised tax relief.

“He promised tax cuts. Not one has been delivered,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “Instead, $385 million in federal pandemic relief meant to help families and small businesses was used to plug budget holes while millions were spent on politically connected lawyers, parades, and galas.”

In contrast to his boasts about adding 600 police officers to the ranks and intention to add more, DeRiggi-Whitton said the administration has failed to address critical public safety staffing shortages.

“Police staffing is below required levels. 911 operator positions remain dangerously understaffed,” she said. “Those are basic responsibilities of government, and this administration is falling short.”

She also raised concerns about the County Executive’s decision to divert detectives to assist federal immigration enforcement while local staffing shortages persist.

 

DeRiggi-Whitton further criticized the administration for failing to deploy opioid settlement funding meant to combat addiction.

“More than $100 million in opioid settlement funds are sitting unspent while families continue to lose loved ones to addiction,” she said. “Those funds were meant to save lives — not make a budget look better.”

Nassau residents rally against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s private militia © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

She also cited a lack of transparency surrounding the County Executive’s controversial armed volunteer deputy program – derided as his private militia.

“Nassau residents deserve transparency, especially when taxpayer dollars and public safety are involved,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.

DeRiggi-Whitton concluded by urging residents to judge the administration by its record.

“Campaign promises are easy,” she said. “Governing requires focus. Nassau residents deserve leadership that is focused on their needs, not personal political ambition.”

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© 2026 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles,Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com,email editor@news-photos-features.com.Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures

Public Safety, Health, Social Safety Net, Trump Administration, US Congress

Congressman Suozzi Joins Bipartisan Letter Expressing Outrage at SAMHSA Cuts to Long Island Without Warning

Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) expressed outrage over sudden cuts to grants to Long Island nonprofits providing drug treatment, alcohol counseling, and mental health care, $2 million in cuts to his 3rd Congressional District alone – nationwide 2000 organizations were cut off from $2 billion in funding. After 100 Congressmembers sent a letter to HHS Secretary RFK Jr., the cuts were reversed. “This pattern and practice of cutting programs without warning that not-for-profits are counting on, in the middle of the fiscal year, is unfair, unproductive, and maddening.  While I’m relieved these cuts were reversed, we can’t keep doing this,” said Suozzi. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Trump Administration, suddenly and without warning, notified several agencies across Long Island and throughout America of the immediate termination of grants. Several Long Island institutions quickly reported to Congressman Suozzi’s office that nearly $2 million in SAMHSA grants have been cut, and possibly more. Nationwide, 2000 organizations have been cut off from $2 billion in funding.

Congressman Suozzi reached out to the affected organizations. He joined more than 100 colleagues in the House of Representatives, both Democrats and Republicans, on the attached letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to express bipartisan outrage at these sudden cuts. 

“We strongly urge you to rescind all of the terminations immediately. Too many people across the country are suffering without the necessary resources. We must ensure that SAMHSA programs serve their congressionally intended purpose of getting lifesaving resources to our communities,” the letter reads. 

That evening, the cuts were reversed. 

“This pattern and practice of cutting programs without warning that not-for-profits are counting on, in the middle of the fiscal year, is unfair, unproductive, and maddening.  While I’m relieved these cuts were reversed, we can’t keep doing this,” said Suozzi.

“Without warning, grants were terminated. It’s a reckless and awful move that undermines efforts to deliver drug treatment, alcohol counseling, and mental health care,” said Suozzi. “These programs are how we save lives and help our neighbors and loved ones escape the grip of opioids and other addictive drugs. Cutting off already-awarded grants throws organizations into chaos and puts patients at risk. Addiction and mental health crises do not stop mid-year, and neither should the support systems people depend on.”

Nearly $2 million in funding cuts would have impacted organizations in the 3rd Congressional District. CN Guidance has reported $1,250,000 in cuts to programs to address child trauma, drug addiction, and mental health first aid training. The Family and Children’s Association has reported $125,000 in cuts to mental health first aid training. The YES Community Counseling Center has reported $544,970 in cuts to its Bridge Program to curb addiction in young adults.

Suozzi’s office is in contact with local organizations and will ensure their funding cuts are reversed.

The bipartisan letter to Health and Human Services is here.

Governor Kathy Hochul, Gun Violence Prevention, Public Safety, Health, Public Safety, Health, Security

NYS Governor Hochul to Homeland Security Secretary: ‘Release FEMA Intelligence Funding to Secure NYC Metro Area’

As New York City Remains A High-Level Target — Evidenced By Midtown Shooting — Department Of Homeland Security Fails To Release Essential Funding

Critical Resources Enable Increased Intelligence Analysis Capacity, Surge Capacity When New Threats Are Identified and Enhance Intelligence Collection

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the release of funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) through the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) following Monday evening’s mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

It is notable that the dictator wannabe Trump cites the images he saw on TV to decry starvation in Gaza – he has a whole intelligence apparatus and presumably a daily briefing (with pictures!) to give him a true assessment, unvarnished by his conspiracy-propagating media and social media allies (Fox, X). It is also notable that instead of going after the true perpetrators and source of terror and violence – the mass murderers, political extremists with easy, ready access to weapons of war –  the MAGAs decry those who advocate for justice and fairness in law enforcement. And instead of improving public safety by increasing funding for intelligence and law enforcement, Trump and his Department of Homeland Security are withholding funding to urban centers (read, “Democrat-leaning”) centers.It is yet another instance of Trump and his vile administration using money – that is, OUR tax dollars – as a weapon to further his personal and political objectives, without a care for the fallout for public safety, health, security – Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the release of funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) through the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) following Monday evening’s mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan.

UASI funding is critical to building intelligence analysis capacity within the NYPD, enabling surge capacity when new threats are identified, and allowing the NYPD to provide federal law enforcement partners with intelligence collection and analysis capacity during large National Special Security events. UASI also supports a wide array of security initiatives conducted by law enforcement and public safety agencies throughout Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Eliminating this funding — which totaled more than $156.1 million for New York in 2024 — would make New Yorkers less safe at a time when New York City remains a high-level target for acts of targeted violence. New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, City of Yonkers, and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties all received awards through this funding.

The full text of the letter:

Dear Secretary Noem:

As Governor, my top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe. For decades, New York has partnered with the federal government, your agency specifically, to resource homeland security and counter terrorism efforts in New York City and across New York State.

On Monday, it was once again apparent that New York City remains a high-level target for acts of targeted violence. Four New Yorkers lost their lives, including an NYPD officer, in Midtown Manhattan. The assailant responsible traveled from Nevada all the way to our nation’s largest metropolis to commit this heinous act.

Your Department has long recognized that densely populated urban areas constitute a specific and unique target for acts of terrorism and targeted violence, and that there are unique needs and challenges to securing them safely. However, under your watch the Department of Homeland Security has failed to release the funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

We know from public reporting that Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson sent a memo to the White House that you approved recommending the elimination of UASI. In that memo, the Acting Administrator admitted that eliminating this funding would result in “a less secure nation, especially at the border and in some of the nation’s most targeted cities, including Miami, Washington DC, and Dallas…”. New York City is this nation’s most targeted city when it comes to terrorism threats.

Eliminating this funding — which totaled more than $553 million in 2024, $156.1 million of which went to New York — would make New Yorkers less safe, hamstring the NYPD’s efforts to confront terrorist threats, and reduce intelligence information sharing across local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. This funding has been critical to building intelligence analysis capacity within the NYPD, enabling surge capacity when new threats are identified, and allowing the NYPD to provide federal law enforcement partners with intelligence collection and analysis capacity during large National Special Security events — all goals that until recently we were confident our federal partners shared with us.

On Monday, the same day as the latest targeted attack, your agency released several homeland security preparedness grants that we had expected to receive in May. However, you failed to also release UASI — the grant specifically designed to protect the nation’s highest urban terrorist targets.

Further delays in the release of UASI will degrade our nation’s ability to protect our urban centers including our ability to keep New Yorkers safe. I urge you to fulfill your duty to protect all Americans and to release UASI funding immediately.

Sincerely,
Governor Kathy Hochul