All articles tagged with #governor hochul
Governor Hochul expressed disappointment over the verdict in the Marcy Correctional Facility murder trial, where one correction officer was found guilty and two acquitted in the death of Robert Brooks. She emphasized her commitment to safety and accountability in correctional facilities, acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement and justice officials, and vowed to prevent future tragedies.
Governor Kathy Hochul and The Coca-Cola Company celebrated the groundbreaking of a new fairlife production facility in Monroe County, a $650 million investment expected to create approximately 250 new jobs in the Town of Webster. The facility, expected to be operational by Q4 of 2025, will serve as fairlife’s flagship Northeast location. Governor Hochul made a personal pitch for the company to choose New York based on the state’s reputation as an agribusiness global leader, and announced $20 million state support to assist the town with needed infrastructure upgrades for its state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. The investment complements the "Finger Lakes Forward" strategy to revitalize communities and grow the economy.
Governor Hochul's proposal to allow the closure of up to 5 state prisons with 90 days' notice has survived budget negotiations, leaving communities anxious about potential closures. The language in the preliminary budget agreement aims to increase the operational efficiency of the correctional system, despite previous hopes of excluding it. This decision could impact communities with state prisons, such as Cape Vincent, Ogdensburg, and Gouverneur, which are already affected by previous closures.
Governor Hochul announced a conceptual agreement on key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2025 New York State Budget, including addressing the housing crisis, cracking down on retail theft and illicit cannabis storefronts, fighting hate crimes, improving public safety, making record investments in mental health and healthcare, supporting students, advancing a consumer protection and affordability agenda, establishing an artificial intelligence computing center, providing funding support to mass transit systems, advancing infrastructure programs, and making record environmental investments. The total budget for FY 2025 is estimated at $237 billion, without raising income or statewide business taxes and maintaining state reserves at 15 percent.
Governor Kathy Hochul warns motorists to expect heavy traffic and urges them to pack water, snacks, and patience for Monday's total solar eclipse, which is expected to cause major congestion on at least 30 interstate highways in the path of totality. With as many as 1 million out-of-state visitors expected to flock to New York, the state is treating the event as a major traffic safety concern and advising against pulling over on the roads during the eclipse. The New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is stepping up efforts to ensure public safety, and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls has declared a state of emergency ahead of the influx of eclipse-viewers.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of National Guard soldiers to patrol the city's subway system and check riders' bags, but later ordered that soldiers at bag-check stations would not carry long guns. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some expressing relief at the ban on long guns, while others criticized the deployment as an unnecessary overreaction. The move comes amid concerns about subway safety, with Mayor Eric Adams previously deploying additional police officers following a spike in major crimes. Governor Hochul's decision has drawn criticism from public officials and members of her own party, with some labeling it as a ham-fisted and authoritarian response.
NYPD patrol chief and lawmakers criticize Governor Hochul's decision to deploy National Guard to NYC subways, arguing that the transit system is not a war zone and that the move is unnecessary. Critics claim that the deployment is heavy-handed and could lead to a surge in stop-and-frisk. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups view the plan as a political stunt and a waste of resources, while others see it as a veiled return to the stop-and-frisk era. Governor Hochul defends the plan, stating that straphangers who don't want their bags searched can "go home."
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul's bail reform laws after four suspects charged with dismembering bodies were freed, stating that the system prevented arguing dangerousness as a factor in bail applications. Tierney slammed Hochul's crime policy as "laughably inadequate" and defended the charges filed against the suspects. Hochul, in response, criticized Tierney and Suffolk County police, suggesting they should have brought more severe charges. Tierney called for "common sense" fixes to the state's bail system and urged the governor to confine her comments to subjects she knows about.
The National Guard and State Police have been deployed to assist the NYPD in conducting random bag checks in New York City subway stations in response to a recent surge in violent incidents. The increased police presence comes after a 53-year-old man was stabbed in the hand at a subway station in the Bronx while trying to defend an elderly woman. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a five-point safety plan, including deploying National Guard troops, installing security cameras, and expanding mental health outreach. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized that the bag searches will be random and not based on profiling, while some critics have likened the bag checks to "Stop and Frisk."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is deploying 750 National Guard members to assist the NYPD in curbing subway crime, part of a five-point plan that includes bag searches, banning offenders from trains, installing cameras, and increasing outreach programs. This comes as NYC Mayor Eric Adams plans to increase police presence in response to a nearly 20% rise in subway crime. Recent incidents include homicides, assaults, and robberies, prompting the state's intervention to address safety concerns in the city's public transportation system.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of at least 750 National Guard members and New York State Police troopers into the subway system to address a recent spike in transit crime. This deployment is part of a five-point plan to protect subway riders, following the addition of 1,000 New York City police officers last month. The move aims to address subway crime and protect commuters and transit workers, with a focus on reducing recidivism among offenders.
A federal judge rejected a lawsuit attempting to stall New York's marijuana licensing, despite Gov. Kathy Hochul criticizing the state's legal cannabis market roll-out as a "disaster." The judge cited the significant investments made by cannabis entrepreneurs and the potential harm to New York's adult-use cannabis industry. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, signed into law in 2021, legalized adult-use cannabis in New York, prompting the removal of nearly 400,000 cannabis-related arrests and convictions. However, the slow licensing process has led to thousands of illegal marijuana storefronts operating without a license, prompting criticism from the governor.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the reported migrants involved in the assault on NYPD officers in Times Square should be deported, emphasizing that assaulting police officers is unacceptable. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the incident, and at least five have been charged with assault on a police officer, gang assault, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct. Hochul criticized the decision to release some of the suspects and called for judges and prosecutors to take appropriate action. The incident has sparked debate about immigration and law enforcement, with Democratic leaders in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago expressing concerns about the influx of migrants and calling for more support from the federal government.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the 'Rape is Rape Act' into law, redefining the way New York penal law defines the crime of rape to include nonconsensual sexual contact, with provisions set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2024. The legislation was inspired by the story of Lydia Cuomo, a survivor whose assailant was convicted of lesser charges due to the state's outdated rape statutes. The act aims to provide clarity for prosecution and support survivors, prioritizing justice for victims of sexual assault.
After Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, state Sen. Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris criticized her housing plan, which aims to create incentives for localities to build more housing units. Hochul publicly shamed the Legislature for not approving her expansive housing plan last year and is now pushing for a new proposal driven by incentives and tax abatement programs. However, legislators argue that last year's goals were too ambitious, and Hochul's top policy advisor on housing, Michah Lasher, announced his candidacy for a state Assembly seat, potentially impacting the governor's proposal development.