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Affordability, Economic Development, Governor Kathy Hochul, Housing, Infrastructure, New York State politics, News & Photo Features

Governor Hochul Rallies Statewide Support for “Let Them Build” Agenda to Address Housing Crisis, Critical Infrastructure

February 10, 2026 krubin

Common Sense Reforms to State Environmental Quality Review Act Will Speed Up Building of Housing Localities Want While Preserving Environmental Safeguards

Agenda Will Cut Red Tape That Delays the Building of Critical Infrastructure like Clean Water, Green Infrastructure, and Parks

State Will Establish Clear Timelines for Environmental Review, Standardize and Simplify Review Process, and Expedite Major Projects

Builds on Governor’s Historic Agenda To Address New York’s Housing Crisis and Make the State More Affordable and Livable for All New Yorkers

*Governor Kathy Hochul is rallying state-wide support for her “Let Them Build” agenda to address the housing shortage and critical infrastructure © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Governor Kathy Hochul rallied with local leaders from across the state to highlight her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her 2026 State of the State. This initiative will spur a series of common sense reforms to New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and executive actions to expedite critical projects that have consistently been found to not have significant environmental impacts, but caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays. Together, these actions will make it easier to build the housing and infrastructure that localities want.

The Governor’s proposal has now secured the backing of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), the New York State Association of Towns (NYAOT), and the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and dozens of other local elected officials from communities across New York.

“For far too long needless, outdated red tape has stood in the way of the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers need to address the housing crisis and make life more affordable in communities across our state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is a place defined by our boundless ambition — we are a state that builds. It is time that we cut the red tape that too often slows down projects and let communities build, so we can offer all New Yorkers the more affordable and livable state that they deserve and attract new residents who want to call New York home.”

Today, it is too difficult to build major projects in New York: manufacturing, housing and energy projects can take as much as 56 percent longer in New York State to get from concept to groundbreaking compared to peer states. Longer projects mean higher costs, a challenge that is especially critical in New York’s housing crisis, where the only solution to high costs and scarce homes is to build more housing faster and cheaper than before. According to a report from the Citizens Budget Commission, red tape increases the cost to build a unit of housing in New York City by as much as $82,000 per unit. Similarly, burdensome requirements delay needed investment in clean water infrastructure, child care centers, and parks.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “We cannot address our housing crisis without making it easier to build housing in New York City. Environmental review reform would bring our regulations into the 21st century and ensure we can deliver an affordability agenda on the timetable needed. I commend Governor Hochul for this commonsense proposal and hope it will be a part of the enacted state budget this year. New Yorkers can’t wait any longer for action on housing.”

New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said,“Counties across New York State recognize that the State Environmental Quality Review Act plays an important role in protecting our natural resources and communities, but we also know that the current SEQR process can be overly complex, time-consuming, and costly — often delaying housing and infrastructure projects that have little or no environmental impact. We welcome the Governor’s review of the SEQR framework and look forward to working with her and the Legislature to modernize the process in a way that preserves strong environmental protections while allowing counties and municipalities to deliver the housing and infrastructure New Yorkers urgently need.”

New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said, “NYCOM applauds Governor Hochul for her efforts to streamline the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process, while preserving local control. SEQRA was designed to protect the environment, but it has too often been used to delay or block projects that would deliver clear environmental and community benefits. These targeted reforms would strike an important balance by expediting projects with minimal environmental impact while allowing communities to move forward with critical investments in housing, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other essential services.”

“The New York Association of Towns supports the governor’s effort to cut red tape and modernize the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA),” said New York Association of Towns’ Executive Director Christopher A. Koetzle. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the governor and our shared work together helping local governments become more efficient while still ensuring the integrity of the land-use review process.”

Helping Our Communities Build Housing We Need

One of the Downtown Revitalization Projects in Hicksville, Long Island, tied to the Long Island Railroad Third Rail and transit-oriented development, presented at Vision Long Island’s Smart Growth Summit. Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing to eliminate the red tape that has delayed and raised costs of housing and infrastructure development. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

When Governor Hochul took office, she vowed to tackle the housing crisis and bring down costs by building the housing that New Yorkers desperately need so that more hard working households and families can afford a place to call home. However, too much critically-needed affordable housing development is forced to navigate a web of red tape created by state mandates that add unnecessary costs and years of needless delays, despite such housing development consistently being found to have no significant environmental impact. Studies have quantified how State-mandated environmental review can slow down housing projects by an average of two years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per project, at a time when New Yorkers can least afford the wait for the housing they need to continue to live and thrive in New York.

To speed up the development of housing to create a more affordable and sustainable New York, Governor Hochul is proposing to amend the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to exempt certain types of housing that have no significant impacts on the environment from additional SEQRA review. Housing exempted from SEQRA will still be required to comply with crucial State regulatory and permit requirements governing water use, air quality, environmental justice, and protection of natural resources. The proposal does not supersede local zoning and other permitting requirements, and exempted housing also must be located outside of flood risk areas in order to qualify.

Years of experience in both New York City and across the state, involving more than a thousand projects, has shown that virtually none of such projects ultimately were found to have significant environmental impacts, but nevertheless were still subject to lengthy reviews. These reforms will accelerate the delivery of much needed housing and reduce the cost of building in ways that are consistent with sustainable and environmentally-protective development, driving down the cost of housing and rents across the state while protecting our natural resources.

“We’re not eliminating local review permits or approvals. And we’re not saying anything goes,” Governor Hochul stated.” What we are saying, and I’ll repeat it. When a community says yes, they know that it’ll not impact the government, that the State is going to step out of the way and let them go forward and build. And right here in New York City, we can significantly speed up construction of housing units up to 250 citywide.

“But in areas that are medium and higher density, up to 500 units without having to go through this redundant review. And of course they have to comply with preliminary environmental regulations, State and local law permitting. None of that’s changing, but my reformers will be a game changer and send a strong message to communities and developers alike. We are open for business and just like all the other challenges I approach, as I mentioned, I approach this one with urgency. I am impatient as our New Yorkers, we cannot wait anymore. And those who oppose us, who want to keep the status quo. You explain that to the family living in a homeless shelter, waiting for a home. You explain your opposition to the young couple who wanted to start a family here in New York, but can’t.”

Accelerating Critical Infrastructure Projects That New Yorkers Depend On

Governor Hochul also has proposed to facilitate the speedier, cheaper delivery of a broad range of beneficial infrastructure projects that New Yorkers depend on. Specifically, the Governor has proposed to adjust SEQRA’s classifications to exempt the following important categories of infrastructure that meet specific criteria from additional SEQRA review to start serving New Yorkers faster:

Clean Water Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure that avoids impacts to natural resources.
- Green Infrastructure: Nature-based storm water management.
- Parks and Trails: Public parks and recreational bike/pedestrian paths
- Child Care: New or renovated child care centers

Governor Hochul’s proposal would reserve these fast-track environmental review processes for only infrastructure that would be located at previously disturbed areas, protecting our natural resources and undisturbed lands, while strengthening our neighborhoods. The Governor’s approach would yield tangible environmental benefits including improved air and water quality, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the preservation of critical habitats when compared to policies which encourage sprawl and unchecked development of natural areas.

Currently SEQRA review timelines vary greatly across projects, creating unpredictability for local communities, project sponsors, and state agencies alike. To cut through the red tape, Governor Hochul has proposed to:

Deliver faster decisions for local communities by setting clear timelines for environmental impact statements and driving accountability
- Streamline environmental impact statements to cut down on review timelines for key categories of projects
- Modernize New York’s permitting processes to save time and money for localities by improving processes and utilizing new technologies
- Expedite major state infrastructure projects to serve New Yorkers faster
- Support local communities through a new permitting academy

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said,“New Yorkers desperately need more opportunities to rent apartments and buy homes they can afford. The SEQRA reforms outlined in the Governor’s Let Them Build agenda will deliver that by bringing clarity, speed, and fairness to the process of increasing housing supply and building the infrastructure and community resources that go along with it. The changes and modernization that the Governor is proposing will reduce the time it takes to get shovels in the ground by more than fifty percent while continuing to preserve and protect our natural resources. This is a brilliant idea that will make an enormous difference toward creating the homes and the thriving communities that people deserve.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said,“Governor Hochul’s ‘Let Them Build’ agenda is centered around incentivizing doing the right thing, avoiding impacts to natural resources, by driving development to previously disturbed sites. Common-sense reforms to SEQRA will speed up the delivery of zoned and permitted affordable housing and other critical infrastructure projects that New Yorkers need, and secure more certainty in environmental review timelines on vital transportation improvements, municipal infrastructure, and other projects benefitting local communities. The Governor’s approach will yield tangible environmental benefits compared to policies that encourage sprawl and unchecked development of natural areas.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Governor Hochul’s ‘Let Them Build’ agenda is a critical step toward delivering the housing, infrastructure, and clean energy projects to benefit all New Yorkers. By modernizing environmental review, setting clear and accountable timelines, and removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining strong environmental protections, these reforms will lower costs, speed responsible development, and strengthen communities throughout the state.”

Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply through nearly $4 billion in targeted investments, a comprehensive Housing Plan, and implemented new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes — for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 400 communities have received Pro-Housing certification.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor’s current five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 77,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million to accelerate affordable housing construction to speed up the building of thousands more affordable homes.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said,“East Hampton needs more affordable housing so the people who keep our town running can continue living here, including teachers, health care workers, first responders, town employees, and young families. I appreciate Governor Hochul for making this a priority and for backing a clearer, more consistent review process that helps communities build the homes New Yorkers need while continuing to protect our environment, our water, and our open space.”

“I applaud Governor Hochul’s proposed SEQRA reforms through her Let Them Build Agenda,” said White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch. “These common-sense changes cut through unnecessary red tape while striking the right balance-encouraging smart growth and preserving zoning authority, home rule, and environmental integrity. As the fastest-growing city in New York State, White Plains needs tools that allow us to build faster and more affordably, and this plan delivers.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “Our city and state face a generational housing crisis that endangers countless families living on the sharp edge of homelessness, and we must leave no stone unturned in order to protect, preserve and rapidly build affordable housing. That is exactly what these reforms put forth by Governor Hochul will do by removing the red tape that has contributed to this crisis by unnecessarily delaying and blocking construction. I commend the Governor for putting forward her comprehensive Let Them Build initiative, and I am proud to partner with her in this effort.”

New York State Association for Affordable Housing President and CEO Carlina Rivera said, “New York is running out of time to address its affordable housing crisis, and unnecessary delays in the SEQRA process are making it harder and more expensive to build the homes New Yorkers need. Governor Hochul’s proposed SEQRA reforms strike the right balance by streamlining review for appropriate affordable housing projects while preserving critical environmental protections. These changes will reduce costs, create predictability, and help deliver more homes faster. We urge the Legislature to work with the Governor to ensure these important reforms remain in the final budget.”

New York Housing Conference Executive Director Rachel Free said,“Reforming SEQRA is critical to unlocking housing production in New York. The current process often creates years of delay, drives up costs, and blocks housing and infrastructure projects without delivering better environmental outcomes. The Governor’s suggested modernization would rightly focus on projects with truly significant impacts, while reducing the delay on key housing projects. SEQRA reform is essential to advancing affordable housing and the economic vitality New York urgently needs while maintaining strong environmental protections.”

National Federation of Independent Business New York State Director Ashley Ranslow said, “Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to reform SEQRA is a practical and necessary step to help streamline and expedite the development and building process. In New York, it takes too much time and resources to get a project off the ground — inevitably driving up the cost of construction. Reforming SEQRA will cut red tape, accelerate building projects, and make them more affordable, ultimately helping the state’s economy, small businesses, and communities across the state.”

Partnership for New York City President and CEO Steven Fulop said,“I hear often from Board members at the Partnership that SEQRA has needed fixing for a long time. It is needlessly bureaucratic, and it drags out projects. I am glad Governor Hochul is taking this on, because it is an unnecessary factor driving up the cost of housing development in the city.”

Open New York Executive Director Annemarie Gray said, “Modernizing SEQRA is about restoring faith that our government can deliver on the things New Yorkers need. When critical projects spend five years being delayed by paperwork, people lose faith in government. Right now, we’re facing both an affordability crisis and a climate crisis — these demand immediate action, and New York families can’t afford to wait years for delays driven by frivolous lawsuits. We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for taking this on and urge the State Legislature to pass SEQRA reform in this year’s state budget.”

Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein said, “We commend Governor Hochul for proposing this bold step to boost much-needed housing production. Reforming the onerous environmental review process will make building housing cheaper and faster, without additional cost to the State. That’s the sort of smart choice that will make our state more affordable and competitive.”

Regional Plan Association President and CEO Tom Wright said,“Reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) will help fast-track the smart, sustainable infrastructure our region needs, and we commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her bold leadership in taking on this long-overdue work. For over one hundred years, RPA has focused on one core mission: improving quality of life across the tri-state region by advancing solutions that lead to economic vitality, environmental resilience, and healthy, thriving communities. SEQR modernization will greenlight the housing, energy, and transit investments New Yorkers support, and that our region needs to remain competitive, equitable, and resilient.”

Association for a Better Long Island Executive Director Kyle Strober said,“This is a significant update for the New York economic development community. One of the biggest hurdles that economic development projects face is unpredictable timelines and prohibitive soft costs for small to mid-sized projects. These reforms, proposed by Governor Hochul, will help spur economic development, create housing and help make New York more affordable.”

Long Island Contractors’ Association Executive Director Marc Herbst said, “Contractors across Long Island welcome efforts to modernize SEQRA so essential infrastructure projects can move forward in a more timely and predictable way. Streamlining reviews for projects with minimal environmental impact will help communities deliver critical upgrades to roads, water, energy, and public facilities — supporting good-paying local jobs while maintaining strong environmental standards.”

Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, “SEQR reform is a crucial complement to transit-oriented development projects around the MTA region, simultaneously combating the housing affordability and climate change crises. We applaud Governor Hochul for taking on this common-sense legislation that will cut red tape and encourage more transit ridership across the region.”

New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan M. Silva said, “Cutting through red tape and reducing timelines for project approvals is critical to achieve our housing, economic development, and renewable energy goals. The governor’s proposal to exempt housing projects from SEQRA and install a two year cap for review is an important and necessary first step to help support New York’s business climate. These initiatives will help reduce project costs, create predictability in the permitting approval process, and create economic opportunity across the state.”

Westchester County Association President & CEO Michael N. Romita said, “Governor Hochul’s SEQRA reforms are a very important step toward addressing the state’s critical housing shortage. Notwithstanding its noble underpinnings, over the past half century, SERQRA has become increasingly abused by overuse and modernization is overdue. These reforms do not override local control, and they don’t require communities to change their zoning. Rather, they empower local officials to meet today’s needs.”

Westbury, Long Island is taking advantage of its $10 million state-funded Downtown Revitalization Initiative and its Pro-Housing Certification to build new transit-oriented housing and attract new businesses © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Long Island Association President & CEO Matt Cohen said, “Red tape and overregulation stifles innovation and hinders sorely needed projects that contribute to economic growth. The LIA commends the Governor’s proposal to streamline environmental reviews for new housing, which would go a long way to addressing our existential cost-of-living crisis on Long Island.”

New York State Business Council President & CEO Heather Mulligan said, “New York’s housing shortage is an ongoing economic concern in all regions of New York State. Modernizing environmental review rules — without hindering protections — can cut years of red tape, lower construction costs, and accelerate the delivery of housing that families and workers can afford. Expediting essential investment projects — will support job creation, community growth, and help make New York more competitive.”

Rockland Business Association CEO Jeffrey Greenberg said, “Governor Hochul’s proposal to cut red tape and modernize permitting is a smart, common-sense step for New York. By streamlining outdated processes while preserving environmental protections and public input, these reforms will help Rockland move critical projects forward faster and at a lower cost while simultaneously supporting economic growth across New York State.”

Westchester Business Council Vice President John Ravits said,“The BCW has always advocated for SEQR Reform. Governor Hochul’s proposal to streamline New York’s permitting and environmental review process is a practical step toward helping communities get projects built more efficiently. By reducing unnecessary delays while maintaining strong environmental safeguards and public engagement, these reforms will lower costs, improve timelines, and support the housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects our region needs.”

New York State Builders Association President Peter Florey said,“It is important that we get back to the original intent of the SEQR process which was to protect our environment. SEQR was not intended to be used as a means of slowing or preventing much needed housing production. Governor Hochul’s meaningful recommendations will go a long way towards ensuring that SEQR is used to help housing production and affordability while also safeguarding our environment.”

Enterprise Community Partners Senior Vice President of Programs Baaba Halm said, “When it comes to delivering affordable housing, every second counts. Too often, SEQR creates lengthy, costly, and sometimes insurmountable barriers to affordable housing projects. Enterprise applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing sensible SEQR reform as a way to accelerate the delivery of the affordable homes that New Yorkers so desperately need.”

Real Estate Board of New York Executive Vice President of Public Policy Basha Gerhards said,“The Governor’s thoughtful reforms to SEQRA will accelerate new housing production and save significant time and money. We applaud the administration for identifying a solution to streamline this process while protecting the opportunity for local review.”

Long Island Builders Institute CEO Mike Florio said,“New York’s housing shortage is a crisis that demands action, and Governor Hochul’s proposed reforms to SEQRA are a critical step in the right direction. SEQRA was never intended to be a tool to delay or block much-needed housing for years at a time. Modernizing the review process while maintaining strong environmental protections will help communities add housing faster, reduce costs for families, and support smart, responsible growth across Long Island and New York State.”

Long Island Housing Services Executive Director Ian Wilder said, “On Long Island, SEQRA has long been an essential tool for protecting our drinking water, open space, and air quality, and those protections must remain strong. At the same time, a small number of bad-faith challenges have abused the statute to delay or derail lawful, environmentally responsible housing — particularly infill development, code-compliant homes with appropriate sewage systems, and accessory dwelling units. Thoughtful SEQRA reform restores balance. It preserves meaningful environmental review while reducing misuse that has worsened traffic congestion and fueled sprawl that puts greater strain on groundwater and infrastructure. On an island with limited land and a severe housing shortage, smart, compact housing is not in conflict with environmental protection — it is one of the most effective ways to achieve it.”

New York Housing Conference Executive Director Rachel Fee said, “Reforming SEQRA is critical to unlocking housing production in New York. The current process often creates years of delay, drives up costs, and blocks housing and infrastructure projects without delivering better environmental outcomes. The Governor’s suggested modernization would rightly focus on projects with truly significant impacts, while reducing the delay on key housing projects. SEQRA reform is essential to advancing affordable housing and the economic vitality New York urgently needs while maintaining strong environmental protections.”

New York State Association of REALTORS® President Ron Garafalo said“The New York State Association of REALTORS® supports Governor Hochul’s proposal to streamline New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The proposals will expedite project timelines for key initiatives like the critical need for housing, accelerate the implementation of necessary infrastructure projects, reduce red tape and focus on meaningful revisions while maintaining strong environmental protections. These reforms are essential to addressing housing affordability across New York.”

Suffolk County Village Officials Association President and Village of Brightwaters Mayor John Valdini said, “The Suffolk County Village Officials Association supports common sense efforts to cut unnecessary red tape and help communities with smart, responsible growth. Governor Hochul’s approach respects local zoning and home rule while streamlining a process that too often delays projects our residents need.”

Rebuilding Together NYC Executive Director Valerie Payne said,“As the Executive Director of Rebuilding Together NYC, whose mission is to repair homes, rebuild lives, and revitalize communities, our work is directly aligned with the Governor’s initiative to “Let Them Build”. As a nonprofit that provides critical repairs to preserve existing homes in the midst of a housing crisis, we acutely understand the need to build more and to improve the infrastructure of New York City neighborhoods. We work with so many homeowners who cannot afford to keep up their homes and are living on fixed incomes and without our support, have nowhere to turn. Our critical home repairs prevent displacement, as well as avoidable hospitalizations due to older adults living with environmental hazards and preserving family assets. If forced to move, homeowners would not be able to afford the rent in a new building. “Let them Build” offers hope that in the future, our low-income NYC homeowners will not be in such a vulnerable position. Thank you, Governor Hochul!”

Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Pascale Leone said, “The Network strongly shares the Governor’s commitment to building more housing, including urgently needed supportive housing. The proposed reforms in this year’s budget thoughtfully balance environmental protections with the pressing need to address New York’s housing crisis,”

LISC NY Head of National Housing Strategic Initiatives & Senior Executive Director Valerie White said, “The most effective way to address New York’s housing crisis is to build more housing, and removing barriers that slow projects down or stop them altogether by cutting red tape and modernizing outdated rules will help achieve that goal. Governor Hochul advancing these important reforms will spur housing development across New York State and we look forward to seeing how they will help neighborhoods grow in ways that are community-centered, sustainable, and responsive to real housing need.”

CDC LI President and CEO Gwen O’Shea said, “Long Island’s has a serious housing crisis; driven in part by lack of inventory and affordability. Removing unnecessary barriers to allow more housing opportunities to develop is a win for all Long Island. This proposal will allow more homes to be available to Long Islanders while protecting the uniqueness and beauty of Long Island’s environment.”

NYU Furman Center Faculty Director Vicki Been said, “NYU’s Furman Center has long raised concerns about whether the costs of the environmental review process for infill housing and some other types of development outweigh the benefits. A few other states have begun to make progress in streamlining and targeting environmental review, and we commend Governor Hochul and her team for tackling this critical issue for New York.”

Nassau County Village Officials Association president Elena Villafane said, “The Nassau County Village Officials Association backs efforts to simplify the approval process, eliminate needless hurdles, and give communities the tools to act efficiently. Preserving local decision-making on zoning is extremely important, and Governor Hochul’s plan allows villages to advance sensible growth.”

Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive who is the Republican challenging Hochul for governor, has consistently opposed Hochul’s efforts to address the state’s housing and affordability crisis. He has done nothing to improve critical infrastructure; the only infrastructure improvements, such as to the Long Island Railroad, and downtown revitalization programs have been funded by the state. His one economic development project during his term was to award the Nassau Coliseum property (dubbed “The Hub”) to the Sands to build a casino resort, which was opposed by much of the surrounding community.

Culture & Lifestyle, Health Care, News & Photo Features, Womens Issues, Womens Rights

Health & Wellness: Global Wellness Summit Releases 10 Wellness Trends for 2026 for $6.8 Trillion Wellness Economy

February 6, 2026 krubin

In 2026, we’ll see a backlash against over-optimization and the bold return of pleasure and joy; women finally getting their own lanes in longevity and sports; longevity expanding into real estate and beauty; and wellness tackling major crises: disaster preparedness, microplastics and nervous system exhaustion

Global Wellness Institute’s Beth McGroarty, VP, Research & Forecasting, GWS/GWI and **Jane Kitchen**, Trends & Media Analyst, GWS Trends Authors, discuss the Future of Wellness report at the recent Global Wellness Summit in New York City © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) released its annual Future of Wellness report, the longest-running, most detailed (150-page) forecast of the big ideas that will transform health and wellness in the coming year.

There have been more shakeups in the wellness market in the last couple of years than in the last 20. The market has been rewritten by high-tech, medical, hyper-optimizing approaches—from the boom in longevity clinics to the avalanche of diagnostics and wearables. At the same time, powerful new desires for a no-tech, deeply human, social and emotional wellness are raging. These polarities, which now define the wellness market, resonate across the new report.

2026 will be another year of shakeups. A year of corrections and backlashes, a crucial year for women, one where longevity moves in new directions, and where major environmental and human crises are tackled.

Four Themes for 2026:

1) An Over-Optimization Backlash: The Revenge of the Human

The backlash against stressful, high-tech wellness will reach activist levels. Wellness experiences will embrace what humans actually are: imperfect, emotional, relational and sensory—and hardwired to seek pleasure and joy. Offerings will pivot to meaning over measurement, catharsis over clinical data, self-expression over self-surveillance. “The Over-Optimization Backlash” serves as the framing trend, detailing the many ways we’ll move beyond performance to sensation, emotional repair and embodied care. “The Festivalization of Wellness” explores a rising wave of healthy, cathartic wellness raves and gatherings, where music, dance and creative expression mean wild, collective and emotional release. If fragrance has long been about status, celebrity and corporate sameness, the “Fragrance Layering” trend predicts that the ancient art of combining scents will get a modern reimagining: fragrance as a creative, cultural and deeply personal language.

2) The Year of Women

Major gender inequities in multibillion-dollar markets will get corrected. If the booming longevity market was built for men, “Women Get Their Own Lane in Longevity” goes in depth on how the future is female. Because women age very differently, with the ovary acting as “command central” of women’s health, longevity will pivot to women’s healthspan, requiring a whole new longevity paradigm and diagnostics and interventions targeted for every life stage. If men have owned sports, “Women & Sports: The Revolution Continues” details how the women’s sports economy is at its long-awaited tipping point, with a boom in new leagues and female fandom, female athletes as marketing powerhouses, and women globally turning from lonely fitness to empowering sports.

3) Longevity Expands in New Directions

Longevity will move in other bold directions. “Longevity Residences” investigates how it’s moving out of clinics and resorts and into the home, with a new wellness real estate category that supports longer, healthier lives through preventive medicine and diagnostics, biohacking, AI-enabled health tracking and more. “Skin Longevity Redefines Beauty” argues that the traditional focus on anti-aging is shifting. Innovations in skin longevity and regeneration will introduce a new era of beauty that merges cutting-edge biotech, AI, skin diagnostics and new active ingredients.

4) Wellness Tackles Major Environmental and Human Crises

In our age of multiple crises, from terrifying climate events to brains barraged by bad news, crisis management becomes a pillar of wellness. “Ready Is the New Well” predicts that if wellness always promised prevention, the next wellness wave is about survival itself, where having a disaster plan becomes as essential as having a fitness plan. “Tackling Microplastics as a Human Health Issue” provides a deep scientific overview of how microplastics are present throughout the human body and increasingly linked to serious health issues. If we’ve had decades of false wellness “detox” rhetoric, the microplastics threat looks to be real, and in 2026, public health and the wellness market will move from awareness to action. With modern, digital life keeping our nervous systems in a state of fight-or-flight, “The Rise of Neurowellness” explores how regulating the nervous system is wellness’ next frontier, deploying everything from new consumer neurotech to somatic practices to calm our nervous systems before breakdown occurs.

This is the only wellness trends report based on insights from hundreds of health and wellness experts that gather each year at the Global Wellness Summit. Each trend is packed with new ideas, sub-trends and examples of the companies blazing these new trails.

“Each year, The Future of Wellness report delivers essential insights into the forces reshaping the global wellness landscape,” said Amway chief marketing officer Melodie Nakhle. “As the exclusive sponsor, we remain committed to advancing credible, science-driven innovation that helps people lead healthier, more vibrant lives. This research strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful solutions for communities around the world.”

Amway is the exclusive sponsor of this report. A health and wellbeing company founded in 1959, Amway has a presence in more than 100 countries and territories around the world.

Probing deeper, these are the Top 10 Wellness Trends:

Top 10 Wellness Trends

Women Get Their Own Lane in Longevity
Men have dominated the longevity market, but the future is female

*At the Global Wellness Summit “playground”, we get to try out new technology like the Technogym © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

The booming longevity market—like medicine before it—is tacitly male: women’s path to health is extrapolated from men’s data and protocols designed for men. That era is ending. Research mounts that women age fundamentally differently, with the ovary functioning as “command central” for women’s health, and its decline (aka menopause) dramatically accelerating systemic aging in women. This leads to a cascade of conditions women suffer far more and longer: from immune disorders to dementia to osteoporosis. Men suffer no such “gonadal death” and stark “before” and “after” health decline.

Slowing/stopping ovarian decline will be the next big biotech breakthrough, and women scientists are busy working on it, from ovarian stem cell therapies to tackling ovarian fibrosis. And with the new framework that “ovary-span” is the lynchpin to women’s healthspan, the wellness market will now move beyond managing menopause symptoms to tackling ovarian aging and its specific health fallouts. This requires a new longevity paradigm: interventions tailored to women across every decade (from their 20s to 90s), ovarian aging tests becoming the new vital sign, hormone replacement therapy boomeranging back as longevity medicine, lifestyle interventions that best preserve ovarian reserve—with strength training reframed as a non-negotiable for women’s longevity. The trend details how basically every wellness market is now pivoting from treating menopause to more serious whole-life, medical-wellness longevity programs for women: wellness resorts, longevity clinics, big telehealth and women’s platforms, gyms, diagnostics and wearables. And as women finally shape longevity, its “bro” culture will change, too: less ultrahuman optimization; more human approaches.

The Over-Optimization Backlash
Pushing back on peak wellness

We’re living through a modern wellbeing paradox: never before has health been so measurable—and never before has it felt so psychologically demanding. Sleep is scored, glucose is graphed, aging is tracked, and wellbeing has shifted from something we feel to something we perform correctly. Therapists warn that data-driven wellness can tip from motivation into fixation, turning insight into pressure. As health data multiplies, many experience analysis paralysis rather than clarity, overwhelmed by constant self-tracking and fear of “getting it wrong.” While longevity research, diagnostics and health technology have undeniably expanded human potential, optimization without integration is proving costly. The over-optimization backlash marks a decisive cultural pivot away from peak wellness and toward something far more human. In response, the fastest-growing spaces in wellness are prioritizing nervous-system safety, emotional repair and pleasure over metrics: social saunas are growing around the world as ritual, not endurance; brands like On and Nike are ditching performance language for campaigns about softness, presence and joy; clinics are reframing aesthetics as psychological care rather than correction; and new technologies are quietly regulating the body in the background, without dashboards or demands. From scream circles and somatic release classes going viral on TikTok, to pleasure-forward food, low-stimulation retreats and regulation-focused wearables, the trend is evident: wellness is no longer about optimizing harder—it’s about feeling safer, more connected and more alive.

The Rise of Neurowellness
Regulating the nervous system is the next frontier of human health

*Neuroaesthetics is a new field. The arts have significant impact on health, wellness and longevity © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Neurowellness is moving from niche to mainstream as people realize one of their biggest health bottlenecks isn’t willpower, it’s nervous system overload. Sleep has become the on-ramp. Wearables turned a private struggle into a daily metric: “What’s your sleep score?” When scores stay low, the message is clear: the autonomic nervous system is stuck in low-grade fight-or-flight, showing up as fragmented sleep, anxiety, inflammation, brain fog, hormonal disruption and burnout. That visibility is driving a wave of interventions that go beyond supplements and mindset. “Hard-care” neurowellness is arriving through consumer-friendly neurotech: vagus nerve stimulation devices like Pulsetto, EEG-guided sleep tools like Elemind and neurofeedback platforms like Myndlift that bring nervous system training into therapists’ offices, not just homes. Flow’s recent FDA approval for an at-home neuromodulation device adds clinical momentum, signaling a path to reimbursement and wider adoption. At the same time, long-standing “soft-care” wellness anchors are being re-framed as nervous-system medicine: breathwork, touch therapy, yoga and Feldenkrais are increasingly recognized for their measurable effects on regulation, making them more mainstream, more repeatable and, in some settings, even prescribed. Next, expect brain–body research, including Stanford’s focus on whole-system connections, to push neurowellness into everyday spaces: mental health care, local fitness studios, hospitality, real estate and next-gen destination spas and clinics—making regulation a quietly built-in feature of modern life.

Fragrance Layering
The new art of combining scents to create unique personalized identities

Fragrance layering—the art of combining scents to create a personalized olfactory signature—is changing the way we express ourselves, shape our moods and interact with others. Once associated mainly with luxury and seduction, fragrance is re-emerging as a cultural and emotional language, echoing ancient traditions from Egypt, Arabia and India, where scent signified ritual, status and meaning. Today, Gen Z and Millennials are reviving this heritage through experimentation, fueled by TikTok, indie fragrance communities and brands like Kayali and Rare Beauty that encourage mixing, mood-shifting and the creation of “fragrance wardrobes.” This rise of “smellmaxxing” coincides with experimental cocktailing, social-coded scents and layering workshops, which transform fragrance into a participatory, skill-based hobby. Layering is extending beyond personal fragrance into spaces and experiences, with environments crafted to carry evolving aromas that shape mood and ritual. Technology is amplifying this, as smart fragrance systems and AI tools allow scents to shift dynamically throughout the day, responding to activity, context or emotional state. In an era of homogenous beauty products, fragrance layering offers both creative freedom and social currency—a way to express identity, foster connection and reclaim individuality through scent.

Ready Is the New Well
Preparing for climate disaster is the new preventative wellness

Long Island after Super Storm Sandy. No place is safe from climate or other disasters. An emerging wellness trend addresses the ongoing stress and anxiety, with community groups forming to help when disaster strikes, the new “preventative wellness.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Wellness has always promised protection—from disease, from burnout, from the slow erosion of mental health. But the next wave of wellness will promise something different: survival itself. Just as preventive medicine once transformed healthcare, disaster readiness is becoming the next evolution of everyday resilience, where having a disaster plan is as essential as having a fitness plan. This shift connects mental health, physical readiness and community interdependence into one continuum of care. The implications for the global wellness economy are vast. Gyms and fitness studios will double as emergency shelters; wellness retreats will teach readiness; and demand for disaster-proof architecture will surge. But perhaps the greatest opportunity lies in the industry’s ability to hold both sides of the psychological spectrum at once—supporting people who live in chronic fear of what might happen, while also caring for those navigating the emotional fallout of what already has. As disasters become inescapable, the most forward-thinking companies will prioritize practical, proven solutions that put people’s minds at ease.

Skin Longevity Redefines Beauty
Move over anti-aging: innovations in skin regeneration usher in a new era

*Patrick Kullenberg, Chief Innovation Officer, NA for L’Oreal Groupe, discusses innovations in skin care with Claire McCormack at the Global Wellness Summit © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

A transformation is sweeping the beauty and wellness industries as “anti-aging” is rapidly being replaced by the concept of skin longevity. This emerging vertical merges cutting-edge biotech, proactive skincare and holistic wellness, reframing the conversation from reversing the unwanted effects of time to optimizing the skin’s health and function over the long term. Skin longevity honors skin as the body’s largest organ and a key marker of overall health. It’s driven by demographic realities—people are living longer and seeking solutions to maintain long term health and vitality—and by a philosophical shift, treating skin as a diagnostic tool and reflection of overall health. The movement is gaining significant momentum, backed by major investments and deep scientific research. Advances include sophisticated skin diagnostics, such as L’Oréal’s Cell BioPrint, and the development of new active ingredients and regenerative treatments. These innovations are creating a new age of personalized, preventative care. The trend extends beyond the face to encompass “hair longevity,” with a focus on scalp health and regenerative therapies for hair. Industry experts concur that skin longevity is a defining turning point in beauty and wellness, where the cross-pollination of science, biology and technology is unlocking unprecedented horizons for personalized, visible results and long-term health optimization.

The Festivalization of Wellness
A new wave of healthy, wild, cathartic wellness raves and gatherings

A flash mob in Llublijana, Slovenia, part of a global trend of “festivalization of wellness” © Karen Rubin/*news-photos-features.com*

A new wave of group wellness events is reshaping the global wellness landscape, marking the rise of the “festivalization of wellness.” These gatherings respond to widespread economic stress, social fragmentation and digital overload by prioritizing human connection, collective energy and emotional release. Inspired by festival and rave culture, wellness raves, sober morning dance events and multi-day immersions are reframing wellbeing as experiential, social and identity-driven rather than prescriptive or perfection-oriented. Spanning movement, music, sauna culture, learning and creative expression, they emphasize participation over performance and lower barriers to entry by creating judgment-free spaces where people explore what intuitively feels good. Around the world, sober morning raves, grief raves and headphone-led somatic dance experiences like Sanctum are turning dancefloors into spaces for emotional release, connection and catharsis. At the same time, mass-participation fitness festivals such as Hyrox attract hundreds of thousands of athletes and spectators to sweat, celebrate and heal together. Luxury resorts from Six Senses and Soneva to SHA Wellness are now hosting immersive multi-day wellness festivals, while mainstream music events like Wilderness, Lost Village and Envision are embedding breathwork, rituals and recovery zones into their lineups. The result is a global shift where wellness becomes social, expressive and identity-shaping—built on joy, belonging and shared experience rather than discipline and optimization. By making wellness playful, inclusive and culturally relevant, the festivalization of wellness is redefining health as belonging, connection and sustainable joy.

Women and Sports: The Revolution Continues
More women become empowered as athletes as the women’s sports economy booms

*More women are becoming empowered as athletes as the women’s sports economy booms. Tennis Star Coco Gauff is co-creating fashion lines © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

This trend captures a long-overdue cultural and economic reckoning as women’s athletics moves from the margins to the mainstream—reshaping fitness, media, fashion, fandom and business along the way. Around the world, new leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League, League One Volleyball and the upcoming Women’s Professional Baseball League are launching alongside bold, culture-forward events such as Athlos in New York City, which turned women’s track and field into a Times Square spectacle complete with instant prize payouts and a Ciara concert. Female fandom is exploding too, visible in the rapid rise of women’s sports bars like The Sports Bra (now franchising nationwide), record-breaking attendance at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and massive global viewership for women’s cricket in India. At the same time, female athletes are becoming cultural and commercial powerhouses: Coco Gauff co-creating fashion lines, Ilona Maher and Sloane Stephens launching beauty brands, Allyson Felix building a motherhood-centered footwear company, and media platforms like Togethxr rewriting who gets visibility and voice. On the ground, this momentum is changing bodies and behaviors—women are lifting heavier, joining grassroots leagues, filling women-only gyms from Dubai to Shanghai, and embracing strength over thinness as both a physical and political act. Together, these shifts signal a structural change, not a moment: women’s sports are no longer asking for permission, but actively redefining what power, performance and possibility look like—on the field, in culture and across the global wellness economy.

Tackling Microplastics as a Human Health Issue
We’ve grasped the severity of the microplastics crisis; this year is about action

Microplastics have crossed a critical threshold—from an environmental problem to a direct human health concern. Once associated mainly with oceans and wildlife, these microscopic particles are now being detected in human blood, lungs, placentas and even the brain. Each year, an estimated 130 million metric tons of plastic enter the environment, breaking down into particles we ingest through bottled water and packaged food, inhale from synthetic clothing fibers in household dust, and absorb through everyday consumer products. Early research links this exposure to inflammation, hormonal disruption, cardiovascular disease and potential cognitive effects. As concern grows, the wellness and medical sectors are moving from observation to intervention. In London, private clinics are already offering costly treatments claiming to reduce microplastic loads in the body, while consumer-facing innovations such as plastic-free underwear are also emerging. Looking ahead, microplastics may become a routinely measured health marker—tracked alongside cholesterol or inflammation—and plastic exposure a factor shaping architecture, fashion, food systems and healthcare. The challenge now is not awareness, but whether society acts quickly enough to reduce exposure at the source, before the smallest pollutants create the largest health legacy.

Longevity Residences
Healthspan finally comes home

***Susan Magsamen,*** Executive Director, International Arts + Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discusses Intentional Spaces Roadmap: 2026 Collaboration with the GWI © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

A new category of “longevity residences” is emerging within wellness real estate, designed to support longer, healthier lives. This trend signals a major shift in how—and where—longevity is delivered, as real estate becomes an active participant in extending healthy life rather than a passive backdrop. Around the world, a new generation of longevity-focused communities is embedding preventive medicine, advanced diagnostics, biohacking and AI-driven personalization directly into daily living. The Estate is building a global network of residences where architecture, circadian lighting, diagnostics and concierge medicine operate as a continuous longevity system; Australia’s Elysium Fields has plans to pair luxury living with on-site MRIs, brain scans and anti-ageing clinics; Velvaere in Utah will integrate Fountain Life’s early-detection diagnostics into its ski-in, ski-out community; and Tri Vananda in Thailand is blending medical longevity science with holistic design, biophilia and multigenerational living. Unlike traditional wellness real estate, these residences go deeper—tracking biomarkers, personalizing care over decades and removing friction from proactive health behaviors. Fueled by an aging global population, soaring investment in longevity tech and the rise of concierge medicine, longevity residences reflect a growing realization that true healthspan gains happen at home, not during one-off clinic stays. For culture and capital alike, the message is clear: longevity is no longer a service you visit—it’s a lifestyle you live in, and the home is becoming the most powerful longevity tool of all.

The Global Wellness Summit brings together leaders and visionaries to shape the future of the $6.8 trillion global wellness economy which is forecast to reach $9.8 trillion by 2029, according to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor.

U.S. Dominates Global Wellness Market

The Global Wellness economy hit $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to $9.8 trillion by 2029, according to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

The non-profit Global Wellness Institute (GWI) released its annual “Country Rankings” report, packed with data on the wellness markets of 145 countries. The new research identifies the countries and regions with the fastest growth rates, and reveals the amount of money spent annually on wellness in each nation.

The five largest wellness markets are: the US ($2.1 trillion), China ($950 billion), Germany ($281 billion), Japan ($262 billion) and the UK ($261 billion). Together these five nations represent a whopping 58% of the total wellness economy.

The U.S. wellness economy amounted to $2.1 trillion in 2024, 32% of the global spend according to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

Among the largest wellness markets, the standout five-year growth leaders are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, the US and Australia. For smaller markets, the growth stars include Croatia, Cuba, Romania, Costa Rica and Kazakhstan.

*The Global Wellness economy accounted for 6.12% of global GDP in 2024, according to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.*

The new research is a story of global growth for wellness: Each of the top 25 largest markets have surpassed their pre-pandemic (2019) sizes, most by sizable margins, despite economic challenges for many of the nations. The growth shows that, as GWI partner economist Thierry Malleret put it, the wellness industry is not only resilient—it resists shocks—but is “anti-fragile”: it actually improves under stress and shocks.

*Composition of the U.S. Wellness Economy © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

The US, which accounts for a staggering one-third (32%) of the total global wellness economy, is a striking example of that. If a record number of Americans report high stress and a healthcare system in crisis, its wellness market remains unstoppable. It grew by over $130 billion just between 2023 and 2024—a gain roughly the size of Italy and Australia’s entire wellness markets.

*The 20^th annual Global Wellness Summit will be held in Phuket, Thailand, November 10-13, 2026* *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.*

In addition to an annual conference, held at a different location around the globe, GWS also hosts annual in-person events such as the Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium and the Beauty & the Brain Symposium, along with virtual gatherings, including Wellness Master Classes and Wellness Sector Spotlights. The 20th annual Global Wellness Summit will be held in Phuket, Thailand, November 10-13, 2026.

The Future of Wellness 2026 Trends Report can be purchased for $95 at https://content.globalwellnesssummit.com/2026-trends-report

Anti-Trump Activism, Civil Rights, Civil Rights-Human Rights, Democracy, Government Accountability, Governor Kathy Hochul, Homeland Security, Human Rights, Immigration-Migration-Refugees, News & Photo Features, Trump Administration

New Yorkers Come Out in Force to Show Solidarity, Demand ICE Out of Minneapolis, Cities

January 26, 2026 krubin

Thousands of New Yorkers rallied and marched in solidarity with Minneapolis and to demand New York stand firm against the Trump administration’s lawless brutality © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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

Less than a full day before the murder of a 37-year old Minneapolis ICU nurse at the hands of ICE, thousands of New Yorkers were out on the street rallying and marching in support of removing ICE from Minneapolis, in solidarity with the unions, workers and businesses that walked out and shut down the city on January 23^rd under the banner, “ICE OUT FOR GOOD National Day of Solidarity.”

“Protect Democracy from the President!” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

They unified in horror and outrage after the murder of 37-year old mother and activist Renee Good, but mere hours later, there was yet another, as 37-year old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, acting as a monitor and assisting a woman assaulted by ICE, was also brutally murdered even after he was thrown down by half dozen agents, in a volley of bullets at close range, in the back of his head. It looked more like an execution than a “law enforcement action.” Because that is what it was. The feds immediately blocked out medical aid and state investigators, and had to be mandated by a judge not to destroy evidence.

New York’s unions stand in solidarity with Minneapolis *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Organized by DSA, Hands Off NYC, the NY Immigration Coalition, 1199SEIU, Make the Road NY, UFT, New York Working Families Party, Rise and Resist, DC37, Indivisible NYC, and dozens of partners, the protesters numbering the thousands were representative of every race, ethnicity, and age group – a reflection of New York City.

They spoke out against rising fascism and to pressure corporations, including Target, Amazon, Home Depot, and Palantir, “to stop collaborating with would-be authoritarians and instead stand up for our communities.”

“Every week sees a new escalation — they are arresting children and local movement leaders in Minneapolis! It’s vital that we stand together and speak out against these attacks on our rights and our people.”

“Silence is too costly,” declared one of the faithleaders. “They are killing our neighbors, our souls…March for justice. Enough is enough.”

“No more family detentions, detentions for profit. Reject cruelty of greed. We want justice now. Abolish ICE,” another said.

Rallying against the technocrats enabling lawless brutalizing of migrants and Americans. *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Gathering in front of a statue of George Washington, they decried a wannbe king and a society where lives are cheap but property sacred.”Stand up against the most sinister enemy.”

A Hands Off Coalition leader, a teacher and climate organizer and mother of two, said, “We are heart broken at the lawless, violence ICE assaults, who murdered a mother in cold blood, raid schools and day care centers, tear gas protesters, separate children from parents, detain a five year old in the cold.” And not just in Minneapolis, but in New York City. “These innocent children will never be the same. This regime is waging war on families, cutting funding for food, education, health care, violating the environment” for the benefit of corporate greed of Amazon, Palantir, and Home Depot.

“No Techno Fascist Overlords.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Palantir is particularly singled out as an accomplice to the violence, using its super-duper AI data collection and spying technology at hospitals, schools, transportation systems it sells to government to target immigrants and activists, so ICE can kidnap, corporations can replace workers with machines, and governments can bomb and Peter Thiel and Alex Karp can make more money in one week, propping up the dictator wannabe Trump, than the average worker earns in a lifetime of toil.

“I refuse to live in a country where the feds terrorize, families are torn apart.,” Brendan Griffith, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, told the crowd. “Stand together. An attack on one is an attack on all… NYC stands with Minnesota. Nearly 50 percent of NYC workers are immigrants. NYC is a union town. We want a country where workers can move through their lives with dignity.

“No Slave Patrol 2.0, profiting off rounding up people based on the color of their skin. This isn’t about citizenship. It’s about creating a white ethno state.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Another speaker equated what is happening as tantamount to the Fugitive Slave Act. “No Slave Patrol 2.0, profiting off rounding up people based on the color of their skin. This isn’t about citizenship. It’s about creating a white ethno state.”

They implored every level of New York government to stand up for immigrants, defend our people.

One of the striking NYC nurses urged the state government to keep our immigrant patients safe, refuse to collaborate, and protect the immigrants who are the medical and health care providers. One fourth of New York’s healthcare workforce are immigrants. “Our staff fears ICE.”

“Pass the New York for All Act.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

They are advocating for the state to pass the New York for All Act (S2235/A3506), proposed state legislation restricting cooperation between local/state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities (ICE/CBP). It would prohibit local agencies from inquiring about immigration status, sharing sensitive information with federal agents, or facilitating detentions, aiming to protect immigrant communities – in other words expanding the Sanctuary City to the state.

Trump has used sanctuary cities and states to justify withholding federal funding in the billions.

*Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) was among the New York elected officials at the rally supporting New York and Minneapolis © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

The acceleration of violence and lawlessness by federal agents, hyped up by Trump aide Stephen Miller, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Greg Bovino who commands the enforcers to believe they are above all law and can disregard civil rights with impunity, has prompted Senators, Congressmen and Governors to lash out (but not until after the House, helped with seven Democratic votes, passed increasing funding for ICE, hopefully prompting Senate Democrats to take a stand).

“Free balls for Members of Congress who have lost theirs.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Governor Kathy Hochul, who has sued the Trump administration for withholding billions of dollars in appropriated funds to New York to extort support for his mass deportation policies, came out forcefully against ICE, after the latest horrific killing of Alex Pretti,and called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who repeatedly lies and covers up her agency’s criminality, to resign.

“Videos don’t lie. And don’t stop believing what your eyes tell you,” Governor Hochul declared. “Their cruelty, these instances, what is going on and unfolding in streets of America today shocks the conscience of every human being with a heart.

“Don’t let America become a police state.@ *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“When federal agents use lethal force against civilians and then prevent state authorities from fully investigating, it violates the basic principles of a democracy. What it does is makes everyone feel unsafe — everyone. Nationwide over the last 13 months, ICE has detained hundreds of U.S. citizens, and dozens of people have died in their custody.

“Now, Donald Trump’s handpicked leader of the Department of Homeland Security has proven to be unable and unwilling to follow the law to stop these killings. Kristi Noem has referred to these peaceful protesters as “domestic terrorists” and lied about the shooting victims being the aggressors. She told law enforcement officers to put on masks and military fatigues to basically treat the American public as the enemy.

“Governor Hochul: Defend New York!” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“[Noem] has shown a profound disregard for human life and created a culture where people feel unrestrained in how they’re handling encounters with the people in this country. Kristi Noem has forfeited her right to lead, and I’m calling on her to resign as Secretary of Homeland Security or Donald Trump to do the right thing and just fire her. And if not, she must be removed or impeached. And Gregory Bovino — who has helped lead, and defend and escalate these operations — should also be fired.

“It’s a shame I have to say this in America, but no one is above the law. No one, not an ICE agent, not a federal officer, not the President of the United States. And make no mistake, when these people who have abused the power entrusted to them by their offices are finally out of power, states, including New York, will hold them accountable.”

Here are more photo highlights:

Faithleaders bless the gathering. *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Jesus said…” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Jesus Was Woke.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“We Love Immigrants. Hands Off NYC.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“ICE off our streets!” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“ICE out.@ *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Abolish ICE.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

*New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Justice for Renee Nicole Good.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Money for Education, not Oligarchs.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Stop ICE terror. It’s Time for a General Strike.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Freedom from Fear.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“American Terrorist $: Palantir.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“Racism is the Disease. Revolution is the Cure.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“The Working Class Will Dethrone All Kings.” *New York protests ICE and a lawless Trump administration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

_____________________________

© 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

Anti-Trump Activism, Civil Rights, Civil Rights-Human Rights, Donald Trump, Global Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration-Migration-Refugees, Inequality, Military Issues, News & Photo Features, Protest, Public Safety, Health, Security, Social Justice, Trump Administration

New Yorkers Join ‘Free America Walk Out’Protests Marking trump’s Full Year in Office: Year-End Review & Photo Highlights

January 21, 2026 krubin

ICE Out for Good National Day of Solidarity with Minnesota declared for Friday, January 23

Find an event in your area* and explore other ways to take action

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

New Yorkers stood in frigid cold on January 20, 2026, marking one full year since trump’s return to office, under a “Free America Walk Out” umbrella. A crowd swelled to hundreds across the street from trump tower on Fifth Avenue – one of multiple demonstrations across the city and more than 600 across the country – to chant, sing and sneer, waving signs calling for ICE OUT NOW, stay out if Greenland and impeach tRump.

*The Party for Socialism & Liberation rallies on January 20 to call for revolution by workers to remake America to work for and by the people © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

An hour later an even more animated crowd organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation, rallied in front of the New York Public Library to call for revolution by workers to throw out the imperialists, capitalists here and around the world, and remake America to work for and by the people. They gave more of a vision of what might happen if Congress doesn’t rein in trump’s daily abuses of the Constitution and dismantling of the institutions that are foundational to a functioning democracy in the United States. They are calling for a general strike, beginning on Friday, January 23, in support of Minneapolis’ plan to strike.

*ICE Out for Good National Day of Solidarity with Minnesota declared for Friday, January 23 © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

(Indivisible is organizing an ICE Out for Good National Day of Solidarity with Minnesota declared for Friday, January 23. Find an event in your area* and explore other ways to take action)

*“Stand Up. Walk Out. Free America.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Protesters decried the deployment of unconstitutional attacks on Americans in the course of his mass deportation crusade by ICE and other federal agents, decried the invasion of Venezuela and pirating of oil, and his latest threats to take over Greenland whether or not Greenlanders want to be acquired. (No where in his remarks about Greenland does he even suggest that Greenlanders have a say.)

*“Greenland is for Greenlanders.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

A review of trump and his administration’s actions during this first year of enacting his Project 2025 shows some predominant themes: extortion and bullying and using gangster tactics to force, intimidate, threaten governments, corporations, universities, law firms, media companies to his will; defying the Constitution and court decisions; use of military force abroad (bombed 7 countries including Venezuela, iran, Nigeria and threatening Greenland) as well as in American cities; not to taking actions for his personal enrichment; unleashing a retribution campaign that overturns the Rule of Law, including pardoning the 1600 January 6 insurrectionists responsible for 5 deaths and injuring 140 Capitol police and turning the entire Justice and law enforcement apparatus for his own benefit, while giving a go-ahead to every fraudster, drug trafficker, domestic abuser who pays him a toll , including selling pardons for millions of dollars. Rule of Law? Pshaw.

*“Ice Lies. Moms Die.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Here’s a bit of a Year in Review of what you may have forgotten:

Day One, tRump signed (no doubt using an auto-pen!) 1,600 pardons for the January 6 insurrectionists who tried to overturn the 2020 election, in the process causing 5 deaths and injuries to 140 Capitol officers. With that action, trump sent a message that illegality in the service of Trump will be pardoned (next up, 2026 midterms, then 2028 election!).

He has continued to sell pardons to every fraudster, drug and human trafficker, and domestic abuser who pays him $1 million or more, as well as those who commit violence in support of him.

*“No Kings. No Oligarchs. No Dictators..” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He breaks the Constitution’s prohibition against emoluments by on a daily basis accepting gifts and favors from those who then get favors from his administration, including accepting a $400 million “gift” from Qatar of a jet to be reconfigured for Air Force One at a cost to taxpayers of $1 billion, which he has said he would keep after (if ever) he leaves office. That set the stage for a parade of gifts from billionaires, corporate executives, government heads, climaxing with Machedo bestowing her Nobel peace prize on trump in the hopes he would support her to take over Venezuela’s government (fat chance), on top of the billions of dollars from foreign sources and criminals to purchase and bolster the value of his crypto crap, winning his okay on everything from arms sales and relief from his onerous and unconstitutional tariffs. In justt his first year, he has squeezed $1.4 billion from the presidency for his own pocket, not counting the millions in selling pardons (for which he has forgiven over $1 trillion in restitution to the victims).

Protesters in front of Trump Tower, a reminder that trump regards every negotiation as a real estate deal; also, he went bankrupt five times and stuck taxpayers with the bill. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

He has unleashed tariff war (in violation of Constitution which gives that power to Congress), using tariffs to extort countries and companies to do his bidding, while pushing up financial desperation of Americans who pay the tariffs like a tax.

*“Resist.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Unleashing DOGE to fire 20% of the federal workforce, shut down agencies, research, and public services, pushing out experts in everything from climate change to public health to cancer research, and decimating the entities that gave the USA “soft power” across the world, such as USAID (shutting it down has already caused 600,000 deaths and growing), and shutting down Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Radio Liberty (now moving to force Stars & Stripes to only report positively on Pentagon, while shutting out media entities that did not take a pledge to the Pentagon).

“This is what a patriot looks like.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Trump has cancelled billions in grants, funding to blue states and municipalities (while he charges Democrats who call for police reform as “defunding police” he is the only one who has actually defunded law enforcement), to extort them to follow his anti-immigrant and anti-DEI vendettas.

“Disarm. Defund. Abolish ICE.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

While tRump inherited from President Biden the strongest economy on the planet, his policies have resulted in the loss of 1 million jobs and a breathtaking $2 TRILLION increase to the national debt – even without a global pandemic or Great Recession.

Meanwhile, Americans suffer from inflation that has not come down where Biden brought the rate to, 3%.

“We the People.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He has withdrawn from every international climate action, immigration, human rights organization and treaty, and is bullying other countries into throwing out the migrants that have sought asylum.

“Hands off Immigrants and Greenland.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He has unleashed retribution campaign on political enemies, while shifting focus of every law enforcement agency from international crime, cybercrime, election interference, political corruption, drug cartels, human and drug trafficking, domestic violence to his mass deportation crusade, at the same time he has overturned any concept of Rule of Law, fair and equal justice for all, and justice “without fear or favor” – hallmarks of a functioning democracy.

“Fuck ICE.” “Fuck trump.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He has extorted universities, law firms, media to end DEI and pay him homage – systematically trying to undue and remake the culture that over the last 30 years has become accepting and respectful of differences in race, religion, ethnicity, gender and age. Instead, he has shut down the civil rights division, overturned police brutality consent decrees and instructed the DoJ to instead invite white males to sue for some fantasy of being discriminated against in education or jobs.

“Impeach.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He has reversed any steps toward environmental protection and climate action – forcefully undoing standards and funding in order to reestablish fossil fuels as the predominant energy of the economy, while also undermining public health. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has basically said that lost lives would no longer be considered in evaluating environmental regulation. Think about that.

‘Hands off our bodies! Hands off our rights.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

His tax policy has shifted trillions of dollars to the top 1% who now have more wealth than the bottom 90% of Americans, while taking away health care from 22 million people, and threatening to topple the entire health care system. He doesn’t care.

“Stand with NATO.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

He has gone after every alliance that has prevented the outbreak of a World War III, and enabled unprecedented prosperity – that is, until he took power. Showing he is merely Putin’s Puppet, he is bringing NATO to the brink of collapse, while he policies have incentivized Putin to continue his genocidal war against Ukraine and Netanyahu to continue his aggression against Gaza (while trump promised he could end the war on his first day, it is Kamala Harris who would have ended the war in Ukraine and in Gaza within months of taking office.)

“Our dissent will only grow.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

And he has provoked war without notifying Congress, let alone get the authorization required under the Constitution (so much for his claim of “ending 8 ½ wars”, spending billions and billions of dollars in order for him to giddily watch the violence unfold on a video screen. And he basically said that because Norway snubbed him for the Nobel Prize, he felt no obligation to pursue peace.) Actually, he is itching to provoke a war because he desperately wants to be a War President, cementing power using Martial Law and the Insurrection Act, let alone having the fantasy of the country patriotically rallying around his flag.

“Does this ass make our country look small?” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Rather than “Make America Great Again” trump’s policies are incentivizing all our allies, from Europe and the United Kingdom, to Canada, Mexico and Brazil to detach from the United States – making new deals with China and Latin America. “America Alone.”

Trump at Davos has embarrassed the United States, yet again, and caused the rest of the world to mock and distrust Americans for bringing back this corrupt, ignorant, degenerate, deranged megalomaniac sociopath to office.

“No Kings.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

In response to Canadian PM Mark Carney describing the tearing apart of the Canada-US alliance as “a rupture, not a transition,” Trump chided, “They should be grateful to us. Canada lives because of the United States, remember that…”

And he mocked European leaders, and dismissed the sacrifices that Europeans made in World War II, and that NATO members, including Greenlanders, made on behalf of the United States after 9/11 – the only time in history when Article 5 was triggered.

“No ICE. No war. No deal.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

If there is a bottom line, it can be summed up this way: Billionaires added more than $1 trillion in wealth in 2025, surging by 16 per cent, three times faster than the past five-year average, to $18.3 trillion The wealthiest 1% of U.S. households held 31.7% of all wealth – $55 trillion– the highest percentage (and the greatest wealth gap) since tracking began in 1989, and exceeds the combined wealth of the bottom 90%. Elon Musk, alone, has more wealth than the combined wealth of the bottom half of the population. The gap is now as great as it was in France at the time of the French Revolution, and during the Gilded Age (before income tax and unions).

Here are more photo highlights of the day’s events:

“ICE out.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“It’s Time for a General Strike.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

“From NY to Minneapolis, stop ICE terror.” *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Marching for Humanity. *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Marching down Fifth Avenue. *© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

_____________________________

Health Care, News & Photo Features, Obamacare, Public Health, Republicans, Trump Administration

Fact Sheet: What’s in Trump’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’

January 16, 2026 krubin

After 10 years of promising a healthcare plan that would be better and cheaper than the Affordable Care Act , and with a healthcare crisis unfolding as millions lose access to care through unaffordable insurance premiums or closing of hospitals and clinics, Donald Trump has finally come out with a one-page, 827-word plan. It is intended to repeal and replace Obama’s hard-won Affordable Care Act – 1000 pages with 10,000 more detailing implementation –negotiated and compromised over 18 months at a cost of all Obama’s “political capital.”

Let’s be reminded about what Obamacare did – and what Republicans have tried to repeal (and not replace) more than 80 times, doing now by sabotage what they couldn’t accomplish legislatively: it capped the amount that insurance companies could spend on marketing, administration and profit to 20%; it covered children on parents’ policy through age 26; it ended the higher premiums on “pre-existing conditions” (who doesn’t now, after COVID?) and on women just for the likelihood of having babies. Obamacare brought the obscenely high rate of uninsured to the lowest, 7.4% (half of what it had been), and covered a record 24 million in 2025 (50 million since its inception).

The United States, the richest, most powerful, most advanced country in human history, is also the only high-income nation without universal health coverage. Americans pay the most for health care and have some of the worst outcomes. Senator Bernie Sanders, who has been championing universal health care or some version of Medicare for All, says 68,000 people die each year for lack of access to health care. (https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Fact-Sheet_Medicare-for-All-2023.pdf)

Trump’s single-page plan to control the massive $5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry, representing nearly 18% of the nation’s GDP, the largest U.S. employer with over 17 million workers, that only continues to grow because of the aging population, increased demand, and yes, progress in medicine.

It boils down to this: in Trump’s America, health care is a privilege, not a right.

(See Doctors Running to Serve in Congress Blast Trump’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’)

This is from the White House: –Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

CALLING ON CONGRESS TO LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS: Today, President Donald J. Trump called on Congress to enact the Great Healthcare Plan, a comprehensive plan to lower drug prices, lower insurance premiums, hold big insurance companies accountable, and maximize price transparency.

LOWERING DRUG PRICES: The Great Healthcare Plan lowers prescription drug prices for all Americans by building on President Trump’s historic actions to reduce costs for American patients.

The Great Healthcare Plan calls for codifying the Trump Administration’s Most-Favored-Nation deals to get Americans the same low prices for prescription drugs that people in other countries pay. This would build off President Trump’s landmark actions that made insulin more affordable in his first term and the successful voluntary negotiations following his recent Executive Order to lower drug prices. Voluntarily negotiated deals with HHS/CMS will be grandfathered in.

The Great Healthcare Plan makes more verified safe pharmaceutical drugs available for over-the-counter purchase. This will lower healthcare costs and increase consumer choice by strengthening price transparency, increasing competition, and reducing the need for costly and time-consuming doctor’s visits.

LOWERING INSURANCE PREMIUMS: The Great Healthcare Plan would execute the President’s vision to send money directly to the American people, lower health insurance premiums, and cut kickbacks that raise insurance premiums.

The Great Healthcare Plan stops sending big insurance companies billions in extra taxpayer-funded subsidy payments and instead send that money directly to eligible Americans to allow them to buy the health insurance of their choice.

The Great Healthcare Plan funds a cost-sharing reduction program for healthcare plans which would save taxpayers at least $36 billion and reduce the most common Obamacare plan premiums by over 10% according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The Great Healthcare Plan will end the kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to the large brokerage middlemen that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance.

HOLDING BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE: The Great Healthcare Plan ends the days of insurance companies using complexity to make it difficult for Americans to hold them to account by creating the “Plain English” insurance standard and requiring insurance companies to prominently post the profits they take out of premiums as well as information on the frequency with which they deny care.

The Great Healthcare Plan creates the “Plain English” insurance standard by requiring health insurance companies to publish rate and coverage comparisons upfront on their websites in plain English—not industry jargon—so consumers can make better insurance purchasing decisions.

The Great Healthcare Plan will require health insurance companies to publish the percentage of their revenues that are paid out to claims versus overhead costs and profits on their websites.

The Great Healthcare Plan will require health insurance companies to publish the percentage of insurance claims they reject and average wait times for routine care on their websites.

MAXIMIZING PRICE TRANSPARENCY: The Great Healthcare Plan requires any healthcare provider or insurer who accepts Medicare or Medicaid to prominently post their pricing and fees in their place of business and ensure insurance companies are complying with price transparency requirements.

In President Trump’s first term, he issued historic regulations requiring hospitals and insurance companies to post prices in various forms.

The Biden Administration failed to enforce these requirements and took no actions to help patients access actual prices.

The Great Healthcare Plan requires all healthcare providers and insurers to answer to their patients up front on the prices they will be charged—restoring accountability, transparency, and rightly giving power back to patients.

DELIVERING ON PROMISES TO LOWER THE COST OF HEALTHCARE: President Trump promised to lower healthcare costs for ALL Americans and The Great Healthcare Plan will build off of critical actions already taken in his second term to help Americans afford high-quality healthcare.

On May 12, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients” directing the Administration to take numerous actions to bring American drug prices in line with those paid by similar nations. Since that time, the Administration has secured 16 deals with major pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring prices in line with those paid in other developed nations, providing substantial price relief on numerous products taken by millions of Americans.

Shortly after returning to office, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients with Clear, Accurate, and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information,” directing the Administration to, after years of neglect by the Biden Administration, promote universal access to clear and accurate healthcare prices. Since that time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has ramped up enforcement against hospitals out of compliance with price transparency rules, finalized improvements to hospital price transparency rules, and proposed significant improvements to price transparency rules for insurance companies.

In his historic Working Families Tax Cuts law, President Trump expanded access to health savings accounts for up to ten million people on Obamacare, took the most significant actions to reduce healthcare fraud and abuse in history, and made the largest investment in rural healthcare ever.

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment, Environmental Protection, Governor Kathy Hochul, News & Photo Features

Governor Hochul Makes $265 Million Available for Water Quality, Climate Resiliency Projects Across NYS; Hails Decision to Allow Offshore Wind to Move Forward

January 15, 2026 krubin

Ashokan Reservoir. Governor Hochul announced more than $265 million in grants to support projects that will help protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, update aging water infrastructure, reduce contributors to harmful algal blooms, and secure access to clean water. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

I’m betting Nassau County Bruce Blakeman doesn’t bother seeking any of this $265 million in state funding for water quality and climate resiliency projects because he doesn’t want to give Hochul a win. Likes to claim she hasn’t done anything in 5 years, but that’s because he’s shut County out of all the state programs that would fund infrastructure projects, including making Nassau’s dangerous roads safer. I would also bet that Blakeman, if he (god forbid) becomes NYS Governor, will end the state’s leading climate action and resiliency initiatives, and reverse course like his puppetmaster Trump did, opening the state to drilling and pipelines again, canceling the clean energy projects – wind and solar, EV charging stations – that have been so-hard fought for and just taking hold. Hochul’s focus on water quality and climate resiliency projects is all the more vital coming just after the ex-Long Island Congressman, now EPA Chief Lee Zeldin declared that lives lost would no longer be factored in decisions to regulate air and water quality. Take that in.

Meanwhile, Governor Hochul issued a statement after a federal judge in Washington issued a ruling allowing the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project to move forward – projects considered vital to supplying Long Island with sufficient, affordable energy without contributing to climate change – after the Trump Administration tried to shut them down: – Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

We just received word that a federal judge in Washington has sided with us and the company Equinor, and other companies who are providers of offshore wind. The developer, Equinor, sued because the Trump administration arbitrarily issued a stop work order on a project that had been underway, contemplated for over a decade as part of our [renewable] energy strategy. The work was done. The platforms are built. Thousands of workers from Long Island to New York City and beyond have been working through all kinds of weather — extreme weather — to do something that is critically important for our energy future and has been contemplated as part of our grid. The Trump administration shut it down, we went to court and now the stop work order must be lifted and people get back to their jobs.

And I’m sick and tired of having to go to court time and time and time again to stop these decisions. They’re designed to do nothing other than hurt workers, hurt our states, hurt our economy and hurt our energy future.

So we won. The federal court ruled in favor of restarting the work at Empire Wind Offshore Wind Project, clearing the way for it to go forward. And this is what we’re talking about, two of these projects that were shut down along the East Coast. Two were in New York, Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind off the coast of Long Island.

They were stopped under the bogus pretense of national security. When I heard this, I said one thing, “I’m the Governor of New York. If there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is — I want a briefing right now.” Low and behold, they had no answer. They had fake claims about radar. Radar can be addressed and handled as it has happened on many other projects in the past.

So, we rallied just last Friday on Long Island, surrounded by hundreds of hardworking union members, environmentalists, residents, businesses, who are part of the supply chain. Businesses, Republicans and Democrats stood together with us to say, “Turn it back on, lift the stop work order.” And I’m really proud that a judge has agreed with this, that the billions of dollars of private investment can stay right here in New York. And also reminding us that energy security is part of national security. We have been contemplating on this for years to literally next year, or perhaps even later this year to turn on this clean renewable energy source, to power half a million homes in Brooklyn alone.

When they shut this down right before Christmas, shut it down, it drove a huge hole in our energy resiliency grid planning. So, I’m proud to say that the company has been successful in court. We’re going to continue doing what we have to do every single step of the way, but for now the wind turbines will be turning on.

–Karen Rubin, editor/news-photo-features.

$211 Million in Water Quality Improvement Grants for 175 Projects Protecting Drinking Water, Updating Water Infrastructure, Reducing Contributors to Harmful Algal Blooms

 $55 Million in Resilient Watersheds Grants for 24 Climate Resiliency Projects To Alleviate Flooding and Safeguard New Yorkers from Severe Weather

Complements Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Historic $3.75 Billion Commitment to Water Quality

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $265 million in grants to support projects that will help protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, update aging water infrastructure, reduce contributors to harmful algal blooms, and secure access to clean water. The funding complements the historic environmental investments announced earlier this week in the 2026 State of the State, building upon the record support for New York’s premier grant programs that fund critical water infrastructure, protect drinking water and safeguard communities.

“Every New Yorker deserves clean water, which has been a top priority of mine since taking office,”  Governor Hochul said. “These grants continue our critical investments to update aging water infrastructure across the state. They will also help our local governments enhance resiliency against flooding caused by severe weather, again demonstrating our commitment to a safe, affordable, and sustainable future for all New Yorkers.” 

Today’s announcement is supported by funding from multiple grant programs administered by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and investments from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, Environmental Protection Fund and other sources. The programs help protect New York State communities and water quality, while reinforcing the State’s support for municipalities by making these critical projects more affordable and minimizing the financial burden on local taxpayers. 

More than $209 million was awarded to 131 projects through DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program.  WQIP grants fund projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency or protect a drinking water source. A full list of grant awards can be found here.

A total of $2.9 million is being awarded to 44 projects through DEC’s Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 System Mapping Grant (NPG) to fund projects that help pay for the initial planning of water quality improvement projects such as replacing undersized culvert, green infrastructure, and State permit-required storm sewer mapping in urban areas. NPG projects reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff entering lakes, rivers, and streams and improve resiliency against the impacts of climate change. A full list of grant awards can be found here.

Governor Hochul also announced $55 million in new grant funding for 24 climate resiliency projects in 15 communities across New York State. EFC, in coordination with DEC, administers the Resilient Watersheds Grants (RWG) program funded through the Bond Act. RWG projects were selected to reflect the diverse, statewide issues that New Yorkers are facing and include stream and floodplain restoration, removal of dams, culverts and other barriers, culvert replacements and property buyouts. The RWG program builds on the success of DEC’s Resilient NY, which delivers state-of-the-art studies of flood-prone, high-risk watersheds across the State. All awarded projects were recommended actions by Resilient NY studies or a comparable flood study.  A full list of grant awards can be found here.

RWG awards include two projects in Yonkers, where an announcement was made with State and local partners. The City of Yonkers will receive two grants totaling more than $6.66 million for culvert replacement and streambank stabilization along Troublesome Brook near the Scarsdale Road and Manhattan Avenue crossings. The announcement also celebrated two WQIP grants in the Lower Westchester area: the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation will receive $600,000 to construct a salt storage facility and protect water quality in the Hudson River and groundwater. Save the Sound, Inc., will receive $2 million for dam removal and critical habitat restoration along the Bronx River.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said,  ”Since taking office, and most recently in the 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul continues to provide unprecedented resources to invest in climate resiliency and water infrastructure to support communities across the State. With more than $265 million from multiple programs, including $185 million supporting improvements in environmental justice communities, the awarded projects will help our municipal partners achieve meaningful reductions in flood risk, protect drinking water, improve aquatic habitat and safeguard residents from increasingly severe weather events.” 

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman said,  “Governor Hochul is investing billions in water infrastructure every year to help local governments affordably advance crucial water quality and resiliency projects. By pairing Environmental Bond Act funding with other State program funding to support new and signature programs, every dollar goes further and brings New York closer to a safer, more sustainable future. The new Resilient Watersheds Grant program will jumpstart flood-mitigation projects in some of the most at-risk communities while creating good-paying jobs that drive local economies.”

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Now more than ever, when the federal government is trying to halt New York’s progress towards environmental goals, it is crucial that our state continue leading on environmental stewardship. Today’s announcement of $211 million in grant funding through the Water Quality Improvement Project Program is a reflection of the Senate’s commitment to ensuring New York’s communities are more resilient to extreme weather events and safeguarding our state’s water resources. I am proud to stand with my partners in government, including Governor Hochul and DEC Commissioner Lefton, to announce these vital investments.”

State Senator Peter Harckham said, “This major investment from the state through water quality improvement grants will ensure public health standards, support local municipalities and businesses, and create good jobs as well. Maintaining safe, accessible drinking water sources and supply systems is integral to future growth and prosperity, and I thank Governor Hochul, my colleagues in the State Legislature and the Department of Environmental Conservation for making the financial commitment to see this through.”

New York State’s Commitment to Water Quality Improvements

Governor Hochul remains committed to ensuring New Yorkers have access to safe, clean drinking water. As outlined in the 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul is proposing a bold five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to modernize New York’s water systems, providing $750 million annually to provide clean water while also unlocking the state’s economic potential. This historic funding level will also continue to uplift and support New York’s premier water programs, such as WQIP, the Water Infrastructure Improvement program and the Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation program. In addition, the new Smart Growth Water Grant Program will fund the essential sewer and water infrastructure required to build new housing and support the state’s growing economy.

Since 2017, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature have invested $6 billion in clean water infrastructure to replace aging water mains, upgrade sewage treatment plants, replace lead pipes, filter toxic PFAS chemicals and much more. The Governor’s new commitment would raise that total to nearly $10 billion.

New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act  

On November 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. A total of $1.9 billion is invested to date. Learn more at www.environmentalbondact.ny.gov.  

About the Consolidated Funding Application 

The grants announced today were issued following completion through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process. The CFA was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here. 

Anti-Trump Activism, Democracy, News & Photo Features, Republicans, Trump Administration

Clintons Refuse to Testify in House Epstein Investigation as Act of Resistance Against Weaponizing Government

January 14, 2026 krubin

Hillary, Chelsea and Bill Clinton at Clinton Global Initiative 2025. The Clintons have spent their time out of public office developing ongoing programs that benefit millions of people around the world. Over the last 20 years, the CGI community across business, philanthropy, and government – more than 10,000 organizations and individuals – have partnered to launch more than 4,200 commitments that have improved the lives of more than 500 million people in over 180 countries © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

In what can only be considered a kangaroo court intended to trap former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton in further prosecution (echoing the perjury charge that led to Clinton’s impeachment because, as Senator Lindsey Graham said, “character counts”), the Clinton have refused to testify before the House Oversight Committee. MAGA GOP Chairman James Comer promised to bring charges of contempt of Congress. In a letter to Comer, they lay out why they are resisting this latest act of weaponizing government for retribution and political gain—Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

Chairman Comer,

We want to take a moment, given everything, to address you directly.

This past year has seen our Government engage in unprecedented acts, including against our own citizens. People have been seized by masked federal agents from their homes, their workplaces, and the streets of their communities. Students and scientists with visas permitting them to study and work here have been deported without due process. The people who laid siege to the U.S. Capitol have been pardoned and called heroes. Agencies vital to the country’s national security have been dismantled. Universities, media companies, and law firms have been subjected to threats to their funding, access, and licensing unless they made concessions and surrendered their right to constitutionally protected free speech. American troops have been deployed on the streets of our towns and cities. The Justice Department has been used as a weapon, at the direction of the President, to pursue political opponents. And most recently and searingly, an ICE agent killed an unarmed mother only days ago.

Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences.

For us, now is that time.

We are lucky by virtue of the positions we held, and the protections afforded by them. But we are not blind. Every day we see the country we have dedicated our lives to improving take step after step after step backwards.

As chairman of this powerful congressional committee, you have immense power to target anyone and subject them to closed door interrogation and more. The decisions you have made, and the priorities you have set as chairman regarding the Epstein investigation, have prevented progress in discovering the facts about the government’s role.

The facts speak for themselves: You subpoenaed eight people in addition to us. You dismissed seven of those eight without any of them saying a single word to you. You made no attempt to force them to appear. In fact, since you started your investigation last year, you have interviewed a total of two people. Two.

A legal analysis prepared by two law firms and provided to you yesterday makes clear your subpoenas are legally invalid. You claim your subpoenas are inviolate when they are used against us yet were silent when the sitting President took the same position, as a former president, barely more than three years ago. We call on you to release that analysis to the public to allow them to see how this is yet another example of the casual disregard of the law of the land. All the while, you have done nothing with your oversight capacity to force the Department of Justice to follow the law and release all its Epstein files, including any material regarding us as we have publicly called for.

Over the last year in the House, extending health care for Americans in any state succeeded only because enough Republicans joined with Democrats. The fact that the public and we are seeing any of the Department of Justice’s Epstein files is only because four Republicans, out of 220, joined every Democrat to reach the minimum number of Members to force a vote. You were not one of those four. Even now, despite the Department of Justice’s failure to follow the law the Congress passed, you have chosen not to consider subpoenaing the sitting Attorney General to follow the law.

Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. This is not the way out of America’s ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves.

Indeed, bringing the Republicans’ cruel agenda to a standstill while you work harder to pass a contempt charge against us than you have done on your investigation this past year would be our contribution to fighting the madness.

We have tried to give you the little information we have. We’ve done so because Mr. Epstein’s crimes were horrific. If the Government didn’t do all it could to investigate and prosecute these crimes, for whatever reason, that should be the focus of your work – to learn why and to prevent that from happening ever again. There is no evidence that you are doing so. Instead, you have forced the victims to relive their painful experiences, while doing little to give them and everybody else what’s deserved: truth and justice. There is no plausible explanation for what you are doing other than partisan politics.

You accepted the least from those who know the most but demand the most from those who know the least. To say you can’t complete your work without speaking to us is simply bizarre.

You have asked what we know. To answer your inquiry, we are providing you with the same or more than seven of the other eight individuals you subpoenaed regarding the handling of the Epstein investigations and prosecutions, which may be why you have not publicly released their written statements.

We expect you will say it is not enough. We expect you’ll reject it. You may even set out an empty chair or stand in front of the cameras and outright dismiss what we have provided. We expect you will direct your committee to seek to hold us in contempt. You may even release irrelevant, decades-old photos that you hope will embarrass us. You will say your caucus, and the Speaker and the President are behind you 100%. We hope, perhaps in vain, that they will not allow you to singlehandedly hijack the Congress by unilaterally making this decision for your colleagues, your party, and our country.

You will say it is not our decision to make. But we have made it. Now you have to make yours.

We are prepared to make our case to your 45 committee members, and if need be, more. Importantly, we also will defend ourselves in the public arena and ensure this country knows exactly what you are doing and why you are doing so, instead of helping the American people who need this Congress’s work and protection.

For most people, maybe even the bulk of the Congress, today will be the first they learn of this dispute. We are confident that any reasonable person in or out of Congress will see, based on everything we release, that what you are doing is trying to punish those who you see as your enemies and to protect those you think are your friends.

Continue to mislead Americans about what is truly at stake, and you will learn that Americans are better at finding the truth than you are at burying it.

Continue to pursue autopens instead of penning laws Americans need, and you will learn that you are signing away any remaining chance of being on the right side of history.

Continue to abet the dismantling of America, and you will learn that it takes more than a wrecking ball to demolish what Americans have built over 250 years.

Sincerely,

Bill Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Later, a spokesperson for the Clintons added:

You probably don’t know this because James Comer doesn’t want you to. President and Secretary Clinton swore to the truth under penalty of perjury. James Comer hasn’t told you that and has instead resorted to lying in every appearance he’s made this week.

We are fighting back with facts and accountability.

He is lying with impunity.

FACT: Bill & Hillary Clinton took the extraordinary step of – without being asked – each submitting comprehensive statements to Jim Comer directly in two documents. Each was a sworn legal document listing everything they have to offer. Read what the Clintons said. It’s a lot. And when Comer says it’s not enough, he won’t admit he was given the opportunity to tell us what else he wanted.

TRUTH: Below is what the Democrats on the Committee said today. It’s all worth reading – but the most important part is in bold. The Clintons have provided sworn legal statements (attached), going above and beyond what others Comer excused have done. You can see for yourselves how comprehensive they are, how little the Clintons know, and why there is absolutely no reason for them to appear. We have, from the beginning, over and over, approached this process in a good faith and truthful manner and will continue to do so, no matter the transparent game he is playing.

If you’d like to see any of the letters we’ve sent to Comer, or the sworn declarations provided by the other individuals he’s excused, we’re happy to share those as well. As a comparison, you can see how much more we provided.

Statement read into the record today by Oversight Committee Democrats.

Committee Democrats support cooperation with the Committee and believe that anyone with firsthand knowledge of the crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, or the actions of their co-conspirators, should come forward and provide that information to the Committee. That commitment flows directly from Oversight Democrats’ determination to pursue the truth about the horrific crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell—no matter where the facts lead.

With today’s proceeding, the Majority has relentlessly pursued Secretary Clinton, yet the Majority has taken no steps to enforce the duly issued, bipartisan subpoena for the release of the full Epstein files in the possession of the Department of Justice. Nor has the Majority moved to compel numerous other witnesses with firsthand knowledge of Epstein’s criminal enterprise—including Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell—to appear before this Committee.

Adding to these concerns is President Trump’s direction to his Attorney General, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—via a Truth Social post—to initiate a criminal investigation into prominent Democrats, including President Clinton, to distract from his own close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. And President Trump likewise has, for years, famously and repeatedly demanded that DOJ investigate and prosecute Secretary Clinton.

President Trump’s targeting of the Clintons is part of a continuing pattern in which President Trump has weaponized the Department of Justice against his perceived political enemies, including, among others, former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and most recently, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Against that backdrop, Oversight Democrats have grave concerns about the President’s publicly stated expectation that DOJ and the FBI will incriminate leaders of the opposition party, as well as the President’s demonstrated willingness to use the nation’s law enforcement agencies to distract from his own lengthy relationship and interaction with Epstein.

Finally, yesterday the Committee received factual declarations from former President Clinton and Secretary Clinton regarding their interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. I am entering those declarations, both dated January 13, 2026, together as Exhibit A.

Committee Democrats reaffirm that this investigation is not political and not partisan. Its purpose is truth and justice for the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes.

See: CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE STEPS UP COMMITMENT TO MEET UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES TO CLIMATE ACTION, GLOBAL HEALTH, HUMANITARIAN AID, DEMOCRACY, FREE PRESS

Affordability, Governor Kathy Hochul, News & Photo Features, Tax Policy, Tax Reform, Taxes

Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Kicks Off 2026 with Affordability Agenda, New Tax Relief Efforts, Increased Wages

January 2, 2026 krubin

With the New Tax Year, Governor Hochul Will Propose No Tax on Tips Legislation in the FY2027 Executive Budget

Middle Class Tax Cut Beginning on January 1 for More Than 8.3 Million New Yorkers

Minimum Wage Increasing Statewide on January 1

Largest Child Tax Credit Expansion in New York State History Beginning in 2026

For 2026, Governor Hochul continued her efforts to expand New York’s child tax credit, providing critical financial support for more than 2.75 million children statewide. This latest expansion doubled or in many cases, tripled the current credit, offering up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16, and marked the largest increase in the credit’s history © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

With the new tax year beginning January 1, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul is informing New Yorkers about a number of tax relief and affordability measures that will begin in the New Year. The Governor is also announcing that in her upcoming FY2027 Executive Budget proposal, she will put forth legislation that eliminates state income taxes on up to $25,000 of tipped income in tax year 2026, which follows federal guidance. This effort is a continuation of the Governor’s Affordability Agenda. Since taking office, the Governor has advanced policies that have put over $9 billion back in the pockets of New York households through tax relief efforts.

“As we welcome in the New Year, affordability remains my top priority and I am doubling down on my commitment to put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets,” Governor Hochul said.“Starting today, tax rates for the vast majority of lower and middle-class New Yorkers will be cut, families with children will see a sweeping increase in the child tax credit, and minimum wage workers across the state will see their wages go up. I’m kicking the new year off with a proposal of no state income tax on tips, continuing my efforts to make New York more affordable for hard working New Yorkers.”

Over the last 5 years, the costs on everyday essentials like groceries, insurance, utility bills, and goods and services has increased significantly, and Governor Hochul has heard directly from New Yorkers how difficult it can be to make ends meet. As a result, the Governor created her Affordability Agenda, which has delivered over $9 billion in tax relief to New York’s individuals and families since taking office. This most recent proposal of No Tax on Tips, is the latest in a series of efforts to put money back in New Yorkers pockets.

Middle Class Tax Cuts

In the FY 2026 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a middle class tax cut, which, beginning January 1, 2026, will deliver nearly $1 billion in tax relief to more than 8.3 million New Yorkers. This will provide savings to taxpayers earning up to $323,000 for joint filers. When fully phased in, the middle class tax cut will deliver hundreds of dollars in average savings to nearly 77 percent of filers — representing three out of every four taxpayers.

Sweeping Increase in Child Tax Credit

In the FY2026 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul continued her efforts to expand New York’s child tax credit, providing critical financial support for more than 2.75 million children statewide. This latest expansion doubled or in many cases, tripled the current credit, offering up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16. This latest expansion marked the largest increase in the credit’s history, significantly surpassing the previous maximum of $330 per child. The expansion will be phased in over two years, with New Yorkers receiving expanded benefits starting in 2026 for children under four and extending to older children in 2027.

Increasing the Minimum Wage

Included in the FY2024 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul created a transformative plan to help low-wage New Yorkers keep up with the rising costs of living by increasing New York’s minimum wage for three years and tying future increases to inflation. Beginning January 1, 2026, New York State’s minimum wage increased to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $16.00 per hour in the rest of the state. Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will increase annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earned and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region — the most accurate regional measure of inflation.

Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda

This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda which delivered a $2B Inflation Refund program, delivering up to $400 to over 8.2 billion New Yorkers, and universal free school meals, saving parents and families up to $1,600 a year.

Culture & Lifestyle, Environment, Governor Kathy Hochul, Infrastructure, News & Photo Features

Get Offline, Get Outside: Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million in Funding Available to Municipal Parks & Recreation Sites Statewide

January 2, 2026 krubin

As part of her “Get Offline, Get Outside” Initiative, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million in funding for municipal parks and recreation sites statewide © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million will be made available for the second round of the Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide for the public to enjoy. Funding for this program comes from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.

“This second round of Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant funding will help improve the state’s social infrastructure to encourage New Yorkers to disconnect from their digital devices and reconnect with the outdoors,” Governor Hochul said. “Expanding access to quality parks and recreational facilities makes our communities healthier and ensures children have places to play, learn, and grow in a safe and engaging environment.”

The MPR grant funding is available for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks. Examples include playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, biking, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping, or other recreational activities. Program guidelines, including how to apply, will be available beginning December 31, 2025, on the State Parks website. The first round of the MPR grant program awarded $10 million to 17 projects across the state.

Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns and villages within New York State that own the property where the proposed project will take place. Grants will primarily fund construction costs. Preconstruction activities, such as developing plans and design specifications, may be included in the project budget, but the grant cannot fund projects that are solely for planning and design without a construction component.

To maximize accessibility to funding, the MPR grant opportunity can fund up to 90 percent of the total eligible project costs, with a matching share requirement of 10 percent. The maximum grant award is $900,000. Grants are administered on a reimbursement basis.

The application period opened on December 31, 2025 and applications must be submitted by February 9, 2026 at 4 p.m. Awards are expected to be announced no earlier than May 22, 2026.

The MPR grant program complements Governor Hochul’s Unplug and Play initiative to promote kids’ mental and physical health by continuing to rebuild the state’s social infrastructure and help steer children away from the harms of social media and toward positive activities like youth sports, arts programs, civic engagement, and community building. Unplug and Play includes three grant programs that invest in swimming infrastructure, playground construction and renovation, and the building and renovation of community centers.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Our agency is proud to support Governor Hochul’s priority initiative to expand affordable recreational opportunities throughout New York State. Through this continued grant funding, we are helping more New Yorkers get outside to enjoy community-based parks and outdoor spaces year-round, while making it easier to engage in healthy activities that enhance overall quality of life.

“The Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program is another prime example of Governor Hochul’s commitment to outdoor recreation opportunities for all New Yorkers,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “With $10 million funded through the truly transformative Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, more youth will be able to unplug and play at new or upgraded parks and recreation sites statewide.”

State Senator Jose Serrano said, “The Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program is an important investment to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide for the public to enjoy. The development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites allow for increased access to vital green spaces. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, I firmly believe that outdoor recreation can provide many physical and mental health benefits for New Yorkers. Many thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and my colleagues in government for working to maintain and expand this important initiative.”

Assemblymember Ron Kim said, “The Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program is an important, impactful plan to create and develop public spaces in New York for recreation. We need to protect and expand the number of fields, courts, and playgrounds available in our state to people of all ages, and give New Yorkers as many opportunities as possible to reconnect with and enjoy the great outdoors. I thank Governor Hochul and our State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their work in implementing this program and encourage all eligible applicants to apply.”

New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act 

On November 8, 2022, New York voters overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. Progress on implementing funding continues, with New York State awarding approximately $1.25 billion, or 25 percent, of Bond Act funds to date. For more information and to sign up for progress updates, go to the Environmental Bond Act webpage.

Anti-Trump Activism, Civil Rights, Human Rights, News & Photo Features, Trump Administration, Women and Politics, Women;s Issues, Rights, Women's Issues, Women's Rights, Women's Rights,, Women's Rights, Issues, Womens Issues, Women's Rights, Womens Reproductive Rights, Womens Rights, Womens Rights,, Freedom

Reproductive Freedom for All: Six Storylines to Watch in 2026

December 29, 2025 krubin

Reproductive Freedom for All: “2025 affirmed critical truths that will be at the forefront of our fight in 2026—voters continue to reject abortion bans and support reproductive freedom champions at the ballot box; anti-abortion actors are escalating, not retreating, despite their proven unpopularity; and the human cost of abortion bans is mounting while the full damage is still untold.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

This fact sheet was provided by Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) which for 55 years has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, and paid family leave—for everybody. Reproductive Freedom for All is powered by its more than 4 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, standing up to protect the rights of the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion:

2025 affirmed critical truths that will be at the forefront of our fight in 2026—voters continue to reject abortion bans and support reproductive freedom champions at the ballot box; anti-abortion actors are escalating, not retreating, despite their proven unpopularity; and the human cost of abortion bans is mounting while the full damage is still untold.

Here are the topics that shaped 2025—and how we’re expecting them to play out in 2026:

1: GOP Attacks on Medication Abortion as Proxy for a National Ban

Trump and his allies spent this year mounting coordinated attacks on mifepristone, making clear that restricting medication abortion is the most immediate path to a national abortion ban. By targeting mifepristone through courts, federal agencies, and obscure laws, anti-abortion extremists are attempting to override state protections, medical consensus, and public opinion—and we expect them to double down in 2026. But the reality remains: Medication abortion is safe, effective, and widely used. While abortion bans have devastated access in many states, care persists thanks to telehealth and shield laws, and medication abortion is on the rise.

Key Moments in 2025:

● This year marked 25 years since the FDA approved mifepristone, which has been rigorously studied and used by more than 7.5 million people.

● Trump and his MAGA allies are using every branch and levelof government, including the courts, Congress, and administrative agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to block access to mifepristone.

● Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill in the Senate to ban the mailing of mifepristone, and House Republicans have introduced similar legislation.

What We’re Watching in 2026:

● The FDA’s baseless, politically motivated “review” of mifepristone—now delayed until after the 2026 midterms. (Coincidental timing, we’re sure.)

● Renewed litigation as states like Florida, Texas, and Missouri aim to further restrict mifepristone.

● Movement in Missouri v. FDA—GOP-led states’ attempt to revive a dismissed challenge and restrict mifepristone access. This comes after federal district Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk (in Texas) transferred the case to the Eastern District of Missouri, which is conveniently stacked with Trump-appointed, anti-abortion judges.

● Continued reliance on junk science as anti-abortion groups ramp up their outlandish, unscientific claims to stigmatize and surveil medication abortion.

● Quiet groundwork by the Trump administration to misuse the Comstock Act to ban the mailing of mifepristone.

2: “Leave It Up to the States”: Shield Laws vs. Criminalizing Abortion Care

2025 revealed a direct and growing clash between states protecting abortion care and states attempting to criminalize care within and beyond their borders. Shield laws protected patients and providers from extraterritorial legal actions by states that have banned abortion. This prompted aggressive backlash from anti-abortion extremists who have made it crystal clear that they never actually intended to leave abortion access up to individual states.

Key Moments in 2025:

● Sixteen Republican attorneys general urged Congress to override state shield laws.

● Texas enacted HB 7, yet another bounty-hunter abortion ban that encourages private individuals to sue manufacturers, distributors, and providers of medication abortion to receive a minimum of $100,000 in damages.

● States like Texas and Louisiana attempted to bypass other states’ shield laws, while California, New York, Vermont and other blue states strengthened and expanded protections for abortion providers and patients.

● New data from the Society of Family Planning showed an increase in telehealth-provided medication abortion care in the first half of 2025, including from legal shield-state providers.

What We’re Watching in 2026:

● Escalating interstate legal conflicts and congressional efforts to preempt shield laws as the GOP continues to pursue a national abortion ban.

● Copy-cat legislation as anti-abortion lawmakers in state legislatures across the country seek to replicate Texas’s HB 7, the new bounty-hunter ban targeting manufacturers, distributors, and providers of medication abortion. Some states will go even further and attempt to target people who help others access medication abortion care.

3: The GOP-Manufactured Health Care Crisis

Republicans used 2025 to advance a broader assault on health care access—gutting coverage, defunding providers, and driving up costs to push care even further out of reach. As we head into 2026, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire, threatening coverage for more than 22 million people, and more health care clinics and rural hospitals across the country are at risk of closing.

Key Moments in 2025:

● In July, Trump and his allies in Congress passed a deeply unpopular budget bill that defunds Planned Parenthood, decimates Medicaid, and ultimately strips health coverage from 15 million people.

● In September, Congressional Republicans shut down the federal government for 43 days—the longest in history. While ignoring calls for a bipartisan spending bill to mitigate their manufactured health care crisis, they did find plenty of time to keep attacking abortion.

● Anti-abortion Republicans slashed funding for Title X, the nation’s only federal funding program dedicated to family planning.

What We’re Watching in 2026:

● An expected January vote on House Democrats’ clean three-year extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. As the ACA fight continues, expect Republicans to keep pushing anti-abortion misinformation to distract from skyrocketing health care costs and their refusal to extend the tax credits.

● The Supreme Court potentially taking up Planned Parenthood Federation of America v. Kennedy—yet another case that threatens Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other providers that offer abortion care.

● Intensifying scrutiny of increased public funding for anti-abortion centers, especially as legitimate medical providers lose critical resources.

● More empty health care proposals from anti-abortion lawmakers that contain harmful abortion provisions.

4: So-Called “Personhood” and Expanding Attacks Beyond Abortion

Republicans accelerated efforts to codify harmful “personhood” ideology—granting legal rights to zygotes, embryos, or fetuses—confirming what reproductive freedom advocates have long warned: Anti-abortion extremists were never going to stop at abortion. “Personhood” ideology lays the groundwork to restrict in vitro fertilization (IVF), contraception, stem cell research, and pregnancy management. Trump and his allies want these threats to fly under the radar because they know just how extreme and unpopular they are. While these laws are often framed as technical changes or isolated incidents, the policies are part of an insidious strategy to launder these unpopular and unworkable ideas, assert even more control over our bodies, and redefine reproductive health care out of existence.

Key Moments in 2025:

● Trump signed an executive order that targeted trans people and defined life as beginning at conception, inserting “personhood” ideology into official administrative policy.

● The self-proclaimed “father of IVF,” Trump confirmed he does not plan to require health insurers to provide coverage for IVF—after campaigning on making these services free.

● House Speaker Mike Johnson quietly worked to successfully remove IVF coverage for active duty military members from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

● At least 38 bills attempting to codify “personhood” ideology were introduced across 24 states—a sharp increase from last year.

● Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed SB 217, which would have expanded access to fertility care by lowering costs and protecting access amid GOP efforts to ban IVF.

● The South Carolina Legislature seriously considered SB 323, a total abortion ban that would have treated abortion as homicide and set the foundation to restrict birth control, IVF, and emergency contraception.

● The Trump administration destroyed $10 million worth of contraceptives, justifying it by falsely categorizing birth control as an “abortifacient.”

What We’re Watching in 2026:

● Renewed domestic gag rule threats (Trump already revived the global gag rule from his first term) that extend anti-abortion ideology into broader domestic health systems.

● The federal government’s continued attacks on birth control, including threats to falsely conflate IUDs and other forms of contraception as abortion care.

● Expanded criminalization efforts as states use laws based on “personhood” ideology to prosecute miscarriage and other pregnancy outcomes.

● Anti-abortion groups’ increased reliance on junk science to vilify IVF and providers who offer a full range of fertility care as part of their broader efforts to sow distrust in legitimate medical institutions and providers while pushing people toward the anti-abortion centers they fund.

5. Rigging the System from the Courts to the Ballot Box

Knowing 8 in 10 Americans support the legal right to abortion care, anti-abortion extremists have doubled down on consolidating power—stacking courts, rewriting rules, and manipulating democratic systems—to impose an unpopular agenda voters repeatedly reject. This strategy targets reproductive freedom alongside voting rights and democracy itself, even as voters continue to push back and are poised to do so again in 2026.

Key Moments in 2025:

● Abortion was a galvanizing issue that drove turnout and victories from coast to coast during the 2025 elections.

● After retaking office, Trump moved quickly to completely overhaul the federal government—stacking every level and branch with extremists ready to advance Project 2025’s priorities.

● The Trump administration also confirmed dozens of judicial nominees to the federal bench—including 13 that have extreme anti-abortion records. These confirmations have set the stage for judges to rubber-stamp Trump’s anti-abortion agenda in the courts.

● Californians overwhelmingly passed Prop 50 to push back against Trump’s redistricting in Texas and other attacks on democracy.

● In response to successful state abortion ballot measures, including in his home state of Missouri, Sen. Josh Hawley and his wife, Erin Hawley—an attorney and key figure in overturning Roe v. Wade—launched a dark money group to promote anti-abortion ballot measures across the country. The move reportedly sparked backlash even within the White House, underscoring just how politically toxic these efforts are.

● Anti-abortion lawmakers in Missouri passed legislation that puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot that, if approved by voters, would remove the abortion protections Missouri voters approved last year. Anti-abortion extremists in Arizona tried to do the same thing, but after advocacy led by Reproductive Freedom for All, this bill was defeated.

What We’re Watching in 2026:

● The 2026 midterms as a referendum on abortion bans and government overreach.

● Nevada’s Question 6, which aims to protect abortion rights in the state constitution, returning to the ballot for final voter approval after a decisive victory in 2024.

● Massive spending by anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which pledged millions to buy the Georgia and Michigan Senate seats.

● High-stakes redistricting and voting rights cases, including Louisiana v. Callais before the Supreme Court, with major implications for representation and democracy.

6: Maternal Mortality and the Human Cost of Abortion Bans

The consequences of abortion bans became even more visible in 2025 as investigative reporting documented more heartbreaking and preventable deaths of pregnant people denied care. Maternal mortality rates are on the rise in states with abortion bans, yet those same states are making it harder to investigate by obfuscating and suppressing data.

Key Moments in 2025:

● Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old Black mother and nurse from Atlanta, was kept on life support for more than 90 days—against her family’s wishes, and long after being declared brain dead—because of Georgia’s extreme abortion ban and so-called fetal personhood ideology.

● Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old Black mother from San Antonio, died from preeclampsia after being denied an abortion during a high-risk pregnancy—despite repeatedly asking for care—under Texas’ extreme abortion ban.

● After Georgia dismissed all members of its Maternal Mortality Commission last year, the state is now keeping the new members secret.

● The Trump administration rescinded the 2022 Biden-era guidance that affirmed federal law protects emergency abortion care—putting lives at risk and creating confusion for providers who still have a legal obligation to provide this care.

What we’re watching in 2026:

● Continued erosion of emergency care protections.

● Ongoing suppression of maternal mortality data by anti-abortion extremists.

● More dangerous miscarriage and pregnancy outcomes in ban states, where emergency interventions and complications are rising.

The storylines that unfolded in 2025 have set the stage for 2026, and the stakes are clear: An extremist minority is escalating authoritarian efforts through every level of power—and our rights and freedoms are at risk. This next year will test whether democracy and science prevail over coordinated and escalating attacks, with control of Congress and the future of reproductive freedom on the line.