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Tag: Kathy Hochul

  • Campolo: Hochul’s SEQRA reforms could speed LI development | Long Island Business News

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    In Brief:
    • Gov. Hochul’s State of the State outlined the “” to reform SEQRA review requirements.
    • Proposals include exempting certain infrastructure and community projects from SEQRA review.
    • A mandatory two-year deadline would bring certainty to Environmental Impact Statement reviews.
    • New digital tools and permitting modernization aim to reduce delays and investor risk for development projects.

    In her recent State of the State address, Gov. laid out a very aggressive agenda to help make New York more affordable for its residents. One area was for increased state investment in housing, and while there was no mention of any tax or other financial incentives for developers in New York, she did propose what she is calling her “Let Them Build Agenda.” This initiative seeks to provide common-sense reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”). If these changes come to fruition, it would help accelerate certain development projects here on Long Island by significantly reducing costs and time to check the state environmental box that all municipalities are required to manage.

    Such proposals include:

    The acceleration of critical : The governor’s proposal will include eliminating SEQRA review for Type II projects. These include clean water infrastructure projects, green infrastructure, public parks, recreational bike paths, and new or renovated childcare centers.

    Establishing clear deadlines for local communities: As every developer knows, the timing for SEQRA review is critical to obtain but is a “wild card” as to how long that process will take. The governor’s proposal is to make a two-year deadline mandatory for completion of the Environmental Impact Statement to the issuance of the final agency decision. Here on Long Island, many communities resist density increases, and municipal boards can use SEQRA’s flexibility to impose additional requirements or delay approvals, even for projects that would meet standard zoning. Clear state-mandated deadlines will bring more certainty to these projects.

    Modernizing permitting processes: It has been decades since the state agencies have updated their processes and technologies used to review and approve environmental permits. Gov. Hochul is directing all agencies involved to give a full report no later than Sept. 1, 2026, as to how to best accelerate reviews. She also announced that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will launch “Smart Access,” which is a platform that enables applicants to track and monitor the progress of their application.

    SEQRA has long been a thorn in the side of developers and a large risk for investors involved with the projects. Time and time again, projects with no negative impact on the environment have been delayed indefinitely because of administrative delays, costing valuable time and money. Those projects which do have an environmental impact are met with not only these administrative delays but also with endless hearings and Article 78 proceedings, causing developers to look elsewhere for their projects. While more incentives and reforms are needed to keep these projects moving on Long Island, streamlining and modernizing the SEQRA process will surely go a long way to helping critical projects move forward in the region.

    Joe Campolo is the founder and CEO of Strata Alliance, and founder and chairman of the Strata Foundation. He also serves as managing partner of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP—all of which are based in Ronkonkoma.


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  • Hochul talks affordability in NY State of the State | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Hochul discusses , including plans to partner with the private sector.

    • The governor proposed major investments in and manufactured housing to lower costs and speed construction.

    • Hochul emphasized , including free community college expansion and a new nuclear energy workforce program.

    • She pushed back on critics by pledging investments without raising taxes or increasing long-term state debt.

    New York State Gov. delivered her State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday. With a focus on affordability, she spoke about universal childcare, housing, education, infrastructure, energy and more, all at a time of shifting federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

    But New York, she said, could handle it.

    “We’ve built the boat to withstand the storm,” she said. “Because we’ve managed our money responsibly, we’re able to make transformative investments in our future. Without raising taxes. Without saddling the next generation with mounds of debt.”

    Take childcare. Last week, Hochul announced a $1.7 billion plan to expand universal childcare in New York. Statewide, there is a plan for universal pre-K for every 4-year-old by 2028. This year, the state aims to pilot community-wide childcare to provide year-round, full-day, affordable care for newborns to 3-year-olds.

    Hochul said Tuesday that she would build on the success of the state’s childcare assistance and voucher programs, “so tens of thousands more families can access high quality care for no more than $15 a week. And thanks to our strong economy, we have the revenue to get these initiatives off the ground.”

    But she said the state would also need to partner with the private sector and working with employers would “improve tax incentives for those who invest in childcare benefits.”

    Hochul said she would expand on an initiative introduced last year that offered free community college for adults pursuing education for high-demand careers that include healthcare and manufacturing. To date, an estimated 11,000 people have enrolled.

    “This year let’s expand that opportunity even further, adding new fields like logistics, air traffic control and emergency management,” she said.

    She spoke too of expanding the state’s nuclear power as part of an “all of the above” energy approach.

    “And to make sure New Yorkers are ready, we’ll launch a nuclear workforce development program, so we can forge our future together,” she said.

    But, she added, “our energy system exists to serve New Yorkers first. Data centers are vital for an innovative future. But they guzzle up tremendous amounts of energy and leave ratepayers footing the bill. So, if they want to build in New York, they’ll have to pay their fair share for the power they use and ultimately generate their own power independently.”

    Hochul also said that this year “we’ll invest an additional $250 million for affordable housing and $100 million to scale innovative, manufactured housing that lowers costs and speeds construction.

    She proposed eliminating the red tape that is “pushing up costs and pushing opportunity further out of reach.”

    And she added, that when “communities say yes to housing, infrastructure or clean energy, we’re going to let them build.”

    Other measures include potentially banning artificial intelligence in political ads, combatting auto insurance and eliminating taxes on tips.

    Hochul, a Democrat, gave her State of the State address as she campaigns for reelection this year.

    Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, is also vying for the gubernatorial seat.

    “Albany keeps repeating the same cycle — spend more, tax more, and promise it will work next time,” Blakeman said in a statement. “Programs marketed as ‘free’ are paid for with higher taxes or long-term debt, and working families are left holding the bill.”

    Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, said in a written statement that “2026 will be a pivotal year for elected officials in tackling the affordability crisis.”

    He added that Hochul’s “commitment to supporting childcare, which helps boost the workforce and streamlining the regulatory process so developers can build sorely needed new housing are important steps on the long road of addressing our shared challenges on Long Island.”


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    Adina Genn

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  • New York to invest $1.7B in universal childcare expansion | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Gov. proposes $1.7B investment to expand statewide

    • Plan aims to guarantee universal pre-K for all four-year-olds by 2028–2029

    • Federal freeze on $10B in funds could impact programs

    • Freeze could hurt families, workers and small businesses

    New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans on Thursday to invest $1.7 billion to expand universal childcare for children under age five so that it is more affordable and accessible across the state. At the same time, New Yorkers may face added pressure from a federal childcare funding freeze that could make it harder for parents to balance work and family.

    Hochul said the new investment, which is part of her 2026 legislative agenda, would ensure universal pre-K for all four-year-olds in the state by the start of the 2028-2029 school year. Hochul committed to delivering affordable childcare for nearly 100,000 more .

    “There’s one thing that every family in New York can agree on, the cost of childcare is simply too high,” Hochul said in a news release about expanding universal childcare. Families in New York can pay between $25,000 and $40,000 for childcare, Hochul said.

    Hochul’s announcement comes days after the U.S. Department of and Human Services said it is freezing $10 billion in funds to New York and four other Democratic-led states due to concerns. The decision halted federal money for three programs, including childcare and monthly cash aid to low-income workers.

    On Long Island, where high costs make two-income households the norm, access to quality childcare matters.

    Hochul’s plans “would be very beneficial to and employers,” Jennifer Rojas, executive director of the Child Care Council of Suffolk, told LIBN.

    “When parents have access to affordable childcare, they are able to fully participate in the workforce,” she said. “In addition, as small businesses themselves, childcare programs are an important part of our local economy.”

    In response to the federal freeze on childcare funds, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Thursday called on the Trump administration to resume the grants, which provide childcare assistance to thousands of families in the state – underscoring the stakes not only for working parents but also employers navigating staffing challenges.

    Freezing funding “will hurt families, children and childcare providers who are already struggling to get by,” Gillibrand told reporters.

    According to Gillibrand, evidence of fraud in New York has not been provided by the Trump administration.

    Rojas shared that sentiment.

    “New York State has a very strong Child Care Assistance Program that is highly regulated and monitored,” Rojas said. “There has not been any evidence of widespread fraud.

    “A freeze of this funding could lead to thousands of Long Island families losing access to childcare making it hard for parents to work,” she added.  “It could also lead to the closure of childcare programs, the loss of small business [childcare programs] and childcare workers losing their jobs.”

    It would “have a ripple effect throughout the economy,” Gillibrand said. “Parents will have to quite their jobs to stay at home with their children.”

    Hochul, a Democrat who is running for reelection this year, said the state would also partner with New York City to provide free childcare for two-year-olds and strengthen the 3K program to serve all families in the five boroughs. The plan includes supporting other counties in building new childcare pilots that offer high-quality affordable care to families regardless of income, and expand childcare subsidies to tens of thousands of additional families.

    Bruce Blakeman, the Republican Nassau County executive who is running for governor, criticized what his campaign press office said he deemed “an inequitable, city-first approach.”

    “Working moms and dads everywhere deserve support,” Blakeman said in a written statement. “What they don’t deserve is to be used as a bankroll to finance a day care program for New York City which excludes their children.”

    Reuters contributed to this report.

     


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    Adina Genn

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  • New York State will require warning labels on social media platforms

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    The State of New York will social media platforms to display warning labels similar to those found on cigarettes. was passed by the and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday. It will apply to any platforms that feature infinite scrolling, auto-play, like counts or algorithmic feeds. The labels will caution those on the platform about potential harm to young users’ mental health.

    Social media companies will be required to display these warning labels when a user first interacts with any of the features the state considers predatory. The warning will also be displayed periodically after that interaction.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use,” Gov. Hochul . The law will apply when any of these platforms are being accessed from New York. Gov. Hochul also signed two bills into law last year aimed at protecting kids from social media.

    Concerns over the mental health effects of social media platforms on younger users have been mounting and government bodies have been increasingly taking action. A bill similar to the one in New York has been . This year became the first nation to ban social media for children, with soon to follow.

    Last year the US surgeon general should come with warning labels and highlighted associating social media use with increased anxiety and depression in youth. The risks of social media use on children’s mental health are and are still .

    We’ve reached out to Meta, Snap and TikTok for comment and will update if we hear back.

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    Andre Revilla

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  • Governor Hochul signs New York’s AI safety act

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    New York governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Friday aimed at holding large AI developers accountable for the safety of their models. The RAISE Act establishes rules for greater transparency, requiring these companies to publish information about their safety protocols and report any incidents within 72 hours of their occurrence. It comes a few months after California adopted similar legislation.

    But, the penalties aren’t going to be nearly as steep as they were initially presented when the bill passed back in June. While that version included fines of up to $10 million dollars for a company’s first violation and up to $30 million for subsequent violations, according to Politico, Hochul’s version sets the fines at up to $1 million for the first violation, and $3 million for any violations after that. In addition to the new reporting rules, a new oversight office dedicated to AI safety and transparency is being born out of the RAISE Act. This office will be part of the Department of Financial Services, and issue annual reports on its assessment of large AI developers.

    Hochul signed two other pieces of AI legislation earlier in December that focused on the use of the technology in the entertainment industry. At the same time, President Trump has been pushing to curb states’ attempts at AI regulation, and signed an executive order this month calling for “a minimally burdensome national standard” instead.

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    Cheyenne MacDonald

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  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul signs RAISE Act to regulate AI safety | TechCrunch

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    Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the RAISE Act, positioning New York as the second U.S. state to enact major AI safety legislation.

    State lawmakers passed RAISE Act in June, but following lobbying from the tech industry, Hochul proposed changes to scale the bill back. The New York Times reports that Hochul ultimately agreed to sign the original bill, while lawmakers agreed to make her requested changes next year.

    The bill will require large AI developers to publish information about their safety protocols and report safety incidents to the state within 72 hours. It will also create a new office within the Department of Financial Services to monitor AI development.

    If companies fail to submit safety reports or make false statements, they can be fined up to $1 million ($3 million for subsequent violations).

    California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a similar safety bill in September, which Hochul referenced in her announcement.

    “This law builds on California’s recently adopted framework, creating a unified benchmark among the country’s leading tech states as the federal government lags behind, failing to implement common-sense regulations that protect the public,” Hochul said.

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes, one of the bill’s sponsors, posted, “Big Tech thought they could weasel their way into killing our bill. We shut them down and passed the strongest AI safety law in the country.”

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    Both OpenAI and Anthropic expressed support for New York’s bill while also calling for federal legislation, with Anthropic’s head of external affairs Sarah Heck telling the NYT, “The fact that two of the largest states in the country have now enacted AI transparency legislation signals the critical importance of safety and should inspire Congress to build on them.”

    Not everyone in the tech industry has been so supportive. In fact, a super PAC backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman is looking to challenge Assemblyman Alex Bores, who co-sponsored the bill with Gounardes. (Bores told journalists, “I appreciate how straightforward they’re being about it.”)

    This comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to challenge state AI laws. The order — backed by Trump’s AI czar David Sacks — is the latest attempt by the Trump Administration to curtail states’ ability to regulate AI, and will likely be challenged in court.

    We also discussed Trump’s executive order, and the role that Sacks and a16z have played in opposing state AI regulation, on the latest episode of the Equity podcast.

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    Anthony Ha

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  • Stefanik exits New York governor’s race after Trump stays neutral and worries flare about a bitter primary

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    Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the New York governor’s race Friday, concluding that a potentially fractious GOP primary could hurt Republicans’ chances in an uphill statewide contest, as President Trump signaled he would not make an endorsement at this stage. 

    Stefanik pointed to the risks in a statement to supporters, writing: “While we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.”

    Stefanik’s political future is now unclear, as she said she is not planning to run for re-election in Congress. Stefanik, considered a rising MAGA leader, was initially set to leave Congress after Mr. Trump picked her in November 2024 for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, before her nomination was pulled by the administration in March over concerns about a narrowing Republican majority in the House. 

    Two sources confirmed to CBS News that Stefanik spoke directly with President Trump on Thursday to discuss her decision to leave the gubernatorial race. Their conversation was first reported by The New York Times.

    Mr. Trump later issued a statement following her announcement applauding Stefanik, calling her “a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State” and describing her as “a tremendous talent.” He said she would have “great success” in whatever she chooses next and signaled his continued support.

    A Republican member of Congress with direct knowledge of the race told CBS News they believed Stefanik ultimately concluded that a contested Republican primary would be difficult and potentially damaging, even if she were likely to win. The other major candidate is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, another Trump ally.

    Under New York GOP rules, candidates must secure at least 25% of the weighted vote at the state party’s February convention to qualify for the June primary ballot, or otherwise submit nominating petitions.

    While Stefanik was believed to have early support representing well above that threshold — possibly more than 75% of the weighted vote due to early endorsements from local party officials — New York Republicans told CBS News that a challenge from Blakeman still risked becoming a prolonged intraparty fight.

    The eventual nominee is expected to face off against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2002, though Hochul won her 2022 race by a single-digit margin of  6.4 percentage points, which spurred renewed interest among Republicans who viewed the result as a sign of potential Democratic vulnerability.

    “My gut tells me this is not the right political time,” Stefanik told New York Magazine in an interview on Friday. “This is not the sort of array of things lining up — which is so difficult in New York, which is incredibly difficult in a picture-perfect year–let alone with a primary and everything else.”

    “We viewed it as a waste of resources,” she said, also citing family considerations. “I have a 4-year old son, and that is a priority for our family.”

    A senior House Republican official also said Stefanik was frustrated that Mr. Trump declined to endorse her early and effectively clear the field for her, a move that Stefanik allies believed could have avoided a divisive primary. 

    Mr. Trump did call Blakeman after he entered the race, according to sources familiar with the phone call. He told the county executive that he did not like seeing “good Republicans” face each other in an electoral battle.

    Asked about the race on Dec. 10, the president repeatedly emphasized his reluctance to publicly intervene, stressing his personal relationships with both candidates and concern about collateral damage from a contested primary. 

    “First of all, he’s a friend. She’s a friend,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House. “These are two great people running. In a way, I hate to see them running against each other. I hope they’re not going to be damaging each other.”  

    Mr. Trump went on to praise both candidates, saying, “Elise is fantastic, and Bruce is. They’re two fantastic people, and I always hate it when two very good friends of mine are running.”

    Pointing to the state GOP convention, Trump said, “I think you’ll know pretty much at the end of February what’s going to happen. And I’ll probably have to, you know, do what I want to do.”

    “We have two very talented people. Either one should win against the Democrats,” he added.

    After Stefanik announced she would end her campaign, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised her record, calling her “an incredible advocate” for her Upstate New York district and “a true friend” to Mr. Trump. Leavitt, who previously worked for Stefanik as a top adviser, added that she is “a great leader, and an even better person.”

    Stefanik, a member of House Republican leadership and one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, had been viewed by New York Republicans as a formidable contender given her national profile and fundraising strength — over $12 million raised. 

    But she faced an uphill battle in deep-blue New York, with a recent Siena College poll showing Hochul with a double-digit lead versus both Republicans at this stage of the race. 

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  • Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik ends bid for New York governor, says she won’t seek reelection

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    Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik said Friday she is suspending her campaign for governor of New York and will not seek reelection to Congress. 

    In a statement, Stefanik — who had just entered the race about seven weeks ago — said in a social media post that “while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.”

    Stefanik also indicated that the decision was made with her family in mind. 

    “While many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom,” she added. “I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility. I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don’t further focus on my young son’s safety, growth, and happiness – particularly at his tender age.”

    Stefanik has been a frequent critic of Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will be running for reelection. 

    Ryan Radulovacki, a spokesperson for Hochul, told CBS News New York in a statement that Stefanik had “finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose.”   

    Hochul had previously called Stefanik President Trump’s “number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York.”  

    State GOP chair pivots to Bruce Blakeman

    The bombshell announcement comes less than two weeks after fellow Republican and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he intended to challenge Stefanik in the upcoming gubernatorial primary. 

    At the time, a spokesperson for Stefanik blasted Blakeman for entering the race. 

    “Bruce Blakeman is an early Christmas present to Kathy Hochul as he works to blow Republicans’ best chance to win,” the spokesperson said. 

    Now, the state Republican party chair is pivoting to support Blakeman’s bid. 

    “Elise Stefanik will remain a leader in our party and a powerful voice for our principles. We respect her decision and thank her for her efforts,” New York GOP chair Ed Cox said in a statement. “Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me.”

    In a statement Friday, Blakeman thanked Stefanik for her “outstanding service” to the people of New York and to all Americans.

    “Throughout her time in public office, Congresswoman Stefanik has been a strong voice for common-sense values, national security, and economic opportunity, and her leadership has earned the respect of people across our state and our country,” the statement said, in part. “I wish Congresswoman Stefanik nothing but success as she pursues her priorities and continues her service to our nation.”

    Stefanik had initially launched her campaign for governor in early November with an army of support, including 34 Assemblymember endorsements, 12 state senators, and former Gov. George Pataki. 

    Stefanik receives message of support from Trump

    Mr. Trump expressed his support for Stefanik after her announcement, writing on Truth Social that she is “a fantastic person.”

    “Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does,” Mr. Trump wrote. “She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”  

    In 2014, Stefanik became the youngest woman elected to Congress at the age of 30. She represents New York’s 21st Congressional District upstate and has been reelected five times.   

    In November 2024, Mr. Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but withdrew her nomination two months later, saying he wanted her to remain in Congress.

    “Elise Stefanik has been an incredible advocate for the people of her district in Upstate New York, and she will always be a true friend to President Trump,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also wrote on social media. “On a personal note, Elise is my former boss. She is a great leader, and an even better person. We love you.”

    Outgoing Rep. Majorie Taylor-Greene also issued a message of support. 

    “You are making the most wonderful decision. Mom is the best job title there is! Way to go Elise!”, Taylor-Greene posted. 

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  • Restore Section 610: The Key to Preserving Affordable Housing in NYC

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    HPD’s misguided pause on Section 610 affordable housing applications threatens low-income New Yorkers and the city’s existing affordable housing stock. Unsplash+

    New York City faces an affordable housing crisis of staggering proportions. Vacancy rates hover around 1.4 percent. Families earning moderate incomes are priced out of entire neighborhoods. Yet in May 2025, when the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced it would stop processing most new applications for Section 610 of the Private Housing Finance Law, the city turned its back on a policy that was working. 

    Section 610, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2022, represented a rare moment of policy innovation that benefited everyone involved. The law allows owners of rent-stabilized affordable housing to collect the full amount of federal and local housing vouchers, even when that amount exceeds the building’s registered legal rent, without increasing what tenants pay. Tenants continue paying only 30 percent of their income toward rent. Building owners receive additional income to cover rising operating costs and building repairs. The government maximizes the value of its existing subsidy programs. It was an elegant policy design: preserving affordability while preventing the deterioration of the affordable housing stock we already have. 

    Then HPD pulled the plug, citing federal funding uncertainty. While maintaining that buildings with already-approved amendments can continue operating under Section 610, the agency announced it would no longer process new authorizations for most subsidy types, including crucial programs that serve the city’s most vulnerable residents: the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) and HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA). 

    This decision reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what Section 610 accomplishes. The program doesn’t create new government obligations; it simply allows existing subsidy dollars to flow more efficiently to where they’re already committed. When a voucher holder moves into a Section 610 building, the city is already obligated to pay that subsidy. The difference lies in whether those dollars are allocated toward maintaining quality, affordable housing or are constrained by artificially low registered rents that leave buildings financially struggling. 

    Consider the reality facing affordable housing providers. Insurance costs have skyrocketed. Property taxes continue climbing. Labor and material costs for maintenance have surged. Meanwhile, developers who built affordable housing under regulatory agreements years ago are locked into rent caps that no longer reflect the economics of building operations. Some are collecting only 93 percent of rents compared to the 95 percent they underwrote, and those projections were considered conservative before 2020. 

    Without Section 610, these buildings face a slow death spiral. Insufficient cash flow means deferred maintenance. Deferred maintenance leads to building deterioration. Deterioration results in tenant displacement and the loss of affordable units from the city’s housing stock. We’ve seen this story play out countless times across the five boroughs.

    Section 610 offered a lifeline. By allowing buildings to capture the full voucher amount, it provided the financial breathing room needed to maintain properties, make necessary repairs, and remain viable participants in affordable housing programs. This wasn’t a windfall for owners, but a survival mechanism for the affordable housing ecosystem. 

    HPD’s justification, federal funding uncertainty, rings hollow. The federal voucher programs that Section 610 leverages are not new appropriations. These are existing commitments. If HPD is concerned about budget constraints, the solution is to prioritize which buildings receive Section 610 authorization based on demonstrated need, not to shut down the program entirely for new applicants. 

    Moreover, the timing couldn’t be worse. New York is in the midst of implementing its most ambitious housing agenda in decades. The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity aims to create new homes across all neighborhoods. The 485-x tax incentive is designed to stimulate affordable housing construction. Yet what good are new affordable units if we’re simultaneously allowing our existing affordable stock to deteriorate through bureaucratic paralysis? 

    The policy’s design already includes safeguards. Regulatory agencies assess project financials to prioritize buildings with the greatest need. The program requires that rent stabilization protections remain in place. If a tenant loses their voucher, rents must drop back to the legal regulated amount. These provisions ensure that Section 610 serves its intended purpose: preservation of affordability, not profit maximization. 

    HPD claims it will continue processing authorizations for NYCHA tenant- and project-based vouchers and Emergency Housing Vouchers. But this carve-out is insufficient. CityFHEPS and FHEPS serve thousands of New Yorkers, including families with children and individuals experiencing homelessness. HASA vouchers support people living with HIV/AIDS. Excluding these programs from Section 610 means the buildings that serve our most vulnerable residents are precisely the ones left without financial support. 

    What HPD calls uncertainty, housing providers call existential threat. Affordable housing developers who planned projects around the availability of Section 610 now face financing gaps. Buildings that were in the application pipeline when the pause was announced are stuck in limbo—unable to move forward, unable to plan, slowly hemorrhaging money while waiting for bureaucratic clarity that may never come. 

    The city should reverse course. HPD should immediately reopen Section 610 applications with appropriate prioritization criteria based on demonstrated financial need. If federal budget constraints genuinely require limiting the program’s scope, then create a transparent waitlist and approval process rather than an arbitrary shutdown. Work with the state legislature to expand and formalize Section 610’s provisions. 

    Most importantly, recognize that preserving existing affordable housing is just as critical as building new units, and often more cost-effective. Every dollar spent propping up struggling affordable buildings through Section 610 saves the much larger investment that would be required to replace those units once they’re lost. 

    New York cannot afford to let bureaucratic caution and budgetary pessimism undermine smart housing policy. Section 610 works. It should be expanded, not abandoned. The affordable housing crisis demands bold action, not timid retreat. HPD should open the doors to both Section 610 applications and the affordable housing future New York desperately needs.

    Restore Section 610: The Key to Preserving Affordable Housing in NYC

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    Jonathan Petak

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  • Donald Trump suffers two major legal setbacks within hours

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    President Donald Trump faced two major legal setbacks on Monday as courts in New York and Tennessee moved to constrain key parts of his domestic enforcement agenda.

    Within hours, a federal judge upheld New York’s limits on courthouse immigration arrests, while a state judge in Nashville blocked the deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis.

    Newsweek contacted the DOJ and the office of the governors of the states for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Tuesday.

    Why It Matters

    Within the span of a few hours on Monday, President Donald Trump’s domestic enforcement agenda was hit by two separate court rulings that underscored growing judicial resistance to the administration’s attempts to expand federal authority in states that push back.

    A federal judge in New York upheld a state law restricting civil immigration arrests at courthouses, while a Tennessee judge blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis, finding the move likely violated state constitutional limits.

    Together, the decisions highlight the legal constraints confronting Trump as he seeks to intensify immigration operations and broaden the use of military force in U.S. cities over state objections.

    What To Know

    I. Judge Upholds New York Law Barring Immigration Arrests at Courthouses

    President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda encountered a significant legal setback on Monday after a federal judge rejected the administration’s attempt to strike down a New York law restricting civil immigration arrests in and around state courthouses.

    U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging the 2020 Protect Our Courts Act (POCA) and related state executive orders.

    In a 41-page ruling, D’Agostino concluded that the federal government’s suit amounted to an improper effort “to commandeer New York’s resources to aid in federal immigration efforts” according to the decision.

    The court held that New York acted within its rights in limiting where federal agents may conduct civil immigration arrests.

    The Trump administration had argued that the state law violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and unlawfully restricted federal enforcement authority.

    Federal lawyers also sought to compel state and local law enforcement agencies to share information with federal immigration officials. D’Agostino rejected those claims, writing that New York was exercising “its permissible choice not to participate in federal civil immigration enforcement.”

    POCA, enacted in 2020 in response to a sharp rise in courthouse arrests under Trump’s first term, prohibits civil immigration arrests of individuals traveling to, attending, or leaving state court proceedings unless agents hold a judicial warrant.

    The measure was intended to limit disruptions to court operations and ensure that parties and witnesses could appear in court without fear of apprehension.

    In recent months, federal immigration agents had intensified courthouse operations in New York and other cities as part of the administration’s broader strategy to increase removals of undocumented immigrants.

    That posture led to renewed friction with states that maintain restrictions on local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

    Monday’s ruling marks a notable setback for the administration’s efforts to expand civil immigration arrests in sensitive locations.

    The case, United States v. New York, challenged both POCA and executive orders issued during former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration that limited state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

    D’Agostino dismissed the suit in its entirety.

    The ruling is likely to serve as a reference point for similar disputes arising in other states where federal immigration enforcement priorities clash with local laws or policies restricting cooperation with federal agencies.

    II. Nashville Judge Blocks Memphis National Guard Deployment

    Just hours after the New York ruling, the Trump administration suffered a second legal blow—this time in Tennessee, where a state court halted the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis.

    Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal issued a temporary injunction blocking Republican Governor Bill Lee from continuing the activation of Tennessee National Guard personnel for participation in President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force.

    The deployment, requested by the administration under Title 32 authority, was intended to supplement federal and local law enforcement operations in response to high violent-crime rates in the city.

    In her order, Moskal found that the plaintiffs—including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, local commissioners, and several state lawmakers—had demonstrated sufficient immediate harm to justify halting the deployment.

    The judge wrote that the state’s militia law requires the Tennessee General Assembly to authorize National Guard activation for public-safety purposes and that crime conditions in Memphis did not constitute a “grave emergency” or “disaster” that would permit unilateral deployment by the governor.

    The order temporarily restrains Governor Lee and Major General Warner Ross III “from implementing and continuing the activation and deployment of Tennessee National Guard personnel” under the presidential memorandum.

    The injunction does not affect the presence of federal law enforcement officers already operating in the city.

    In a public statement, Mayor Harris called the ruling “a positive step toward ensuring the rule of law applies to everyone, including everyday Tennesseans and even the governor.”

    The state has five days to appeal the ruling.

    The lawsuit argues that deploying National Guard troops for routine law-enforcement functions violates both the Tennessee Constitution and state statutes, which strictly limit the circumstances under which the militia may be mobilized.

    The Memphis Safe Task Force, created by a September presidential memorandum, aims to increase law-enforcement presence and coordinate multi-agency operations across Memphis.

    Plaintiffs contend that the National Guard deployment exceeded both federal and state legal authority.

    The Tennessee ruling adds to a series of mounting legal challenges to the Trump administration’s domestic troop deployments, several of which are already moving through federal courts.

    What People Are Saying

    Kathy Hochul (Governor of New York) said: “Masked ICE agents shoved and injured journalists today at Federal Plaza. One reporter left on a stretcher. This abuse of law-abiding immigrants and the reporters telling their stories must end. What the hell are we doing here?”

    Bill Lee (Governor of Tennessee) who had approved the deployment of an undetermined number of Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis, said: “I think [AG] General Skrmetti’s a brilliant lawyer who understands constitutional law, and I suspect he’s got the right answer on it.”

    What Happens Next

    Both rulings are likely to move quickly into appeals, with the Trump administration expected to challenge the New York decision in the Second Circuit and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee poised to seek an emergency stay and appellate review of the injunction blocking his National Guard deployment.

    New York’s courthouse-arrest restrictions will remain in effect during the federal appeal, while the Memphis deployment is paused unless a higher state court reverses the ruling.

    Together, the cases set up parallel legal battles over the limits of federal immigration enforcement and the circumstances under which state-controlled military forces can be used for domestic policing—disputes that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

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  • Leaders push against proposed corporate tax hike in NYS | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • officials unite to challenge a in New York State.

    • The plan could raise the corporate rate from 7.25% to 11.5%, matching New Jersey.

    • Leaders warn it could drive businesses and jobs out of New York.

    Long Island leaders have formed a business and political coalition to fight a proposed corporate tax increase in New York State that would raise the rate from 7.25 percent to 11.5 percent. The hike would harm the metropolitan region and beyond, local business leaders and elected officials said Monday.

    “This is bad for , this is bad for Long Island, this is bad for the metropolitan region, and this is bad for New York State,” , the Nassau County executive, told reporters at a news conference in Mineola on Monday. “We are going to fight very hard against it.

    “This tax increase on corporations will be passed along to consumers, and many businesses will say they’ve had enough in New York State,” Blakeman said. “They’ll leave, and they’ll take their jobs with them.”

    The coalition was formed just days after , the New York City-mayor elect met with , the New York State governor, according to Politico. Mamdani ran on a platform to ease cost-of-living strains in the city and included no-cost daycare centers, publicly owned supermarkets and free city-bus service.

    To do that, the mayor-elect suggested raising income taxes on the top 1 percent of New Yorkers, as well as raising the corporate tax rate to 11.5 percent, which would put New York on par with New Jersey, according to published reports. The corporate tax hike, officials say, is under consideration by Hochul.

    Hochul said Monday that any tax increase would depend on what happens in Washington, D.C. in the coming months.

    The suggested corporate tax increase comes at a time when other states are ranked higher in terms of . North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Virgina and Ohio were ranked as some of the top states in the nation for business, according to a July report from CNBC. That study put New York at 23, and New Jersey at 30.

    At the current rate, a $5 million-revenue business pays $362,500 in New York and $805,000 in New York City, Nassau officials said. Under the proposal, corporations would pay $575,000 outside New York City and more than $1 million in the city – an increase that Nassau officials warn would drive businesses out of New York.

    “The business community here has been stressed, has been punched in the gut numerous times, and here’s another” proposed tax hike, said Matt Cohen, president and CEO of Long Island Association, the region’s largest business group.

    “We have an affordability crisis in this country, but nowhere is it more acute than here on Long Island,” Cohen said. “And when you’re driving out businesses, when you’re driving out jobs, that’ going to make it worse, not better.”

    Cohen said this path makes for a “less-friendly business environment,” adding that it wasn’t a Republican or a Democratic issue.

    “When you’re talking about increasing taxes, that’s the opposite of smart , planning, smart business growth, and we need to band together because we all share the same objective,” Cohen said. “We want a strong economy. We want to create jobs, we want a more affordable place to live, but we can’t do that if we keep sending a message to the business community that they’re not welcome here.”

    Kyle Strober, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island, said that the “proposed tax increase is potentially devastating to our region’s economy.

    “Long Island, whose economy is closely aligned with New York City, is already confronting multiple challenges,” he said. “Recent demographic trends reveal that such a tax increase extension will only serve to drive away additional businesses and high-income earners, who pay the majority of the state’s tax revenue.  When this occurs, the tax burden will be shifted to Long Island’s hard working middle class.  This tax proposal will mock any effort to make New York more affordable for our middle class, a long-stated goal of Albany leadership.”

    On Monday, Hochul pointed out at a press conference that her budget director has said that “things are better than we expected at this point because New York City businesses are doing well, and that is the generator of most of our revenues.”

    Still, she said, “we don’t have a clear line of sight to know what our challenges are going to be or are the challenges not as great as anticipated.”

    She added, “I don’t know what Washington is going to do. Are they going to try and jam us up for another $3 billion in Medicaid costs? This is the uncertainty which makes it challenging to do what we’re doing.”

    Hochul said her response about corporate taxes at this moment is vague “because we don’t have all the information.”

    Meanwhile, Blakeman said that if corporations leave the region because of rate hike, it would hurt local small businesses – the coffee shops, diners and others that serve these organizations.

    Blakeman said that lowering the corporate tax rate to 5 percent “would make us much more competitive throughout the United States.”


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  • Rep. Elise Stefanik will announce run for New York governor Friday, sources say

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    Editor’s note: Stefanik made the announcement to join the governor’s race early Friday morning.

    Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York will announce that she is running for governor Friday, sources told CBS News New York political reporter Marcia Kramer.

    Stefanik, a frequent critic of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, has been hinting for several months at the possibility of running in the 2026 election.

    In May, President Trump put out what one political expert described as “a loud message” that he wants to clear the Republican field for Stefanik by endorsing both Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Rep. Mike Lawler for reelection. Blakeman and Lawler have both previously expressed interest in a gubernatorial run.

    Lawler later announced he intends to run for reelection in 2026. Sources say Blakeman is still considering joining the race.

    On the Democratic side, Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.

    In 2014, Stefanik, at age 30, became the youngest woman elected to Congress. She represents the 21st Congressional District in upstate New York and has been reelected five times.

    In November 2024, Mr. Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for a confirmation hearing in January, but two months later, the president withdrew her nomination, saying he wanted her to remain in Congress.

    “As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”

    In an appearance on Fox News in May, Stefanik said she was strongly considering running against Hochul, calling her “the worst governor” in the country. Hochul responded in a separate interview, saying, “I look forward to that fight, no matter who it is. It’s not settled yet, but I say bring it on.”

    A Siena poll released in September looked at the results of a hypothetical race between Hochul and Stefanik, and had the governor leading 52%-27%.

    Melissa Quinn

    contributed to this report.

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  • Rep. Elise Stefanik announces run for New York governor, challenging Kathy Hochul in 2026 election

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    Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik announced she is running for governor of New York early Friday morning, after months of hinting that she might challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 election.

    Stefanik launched her campaign with a post on social media, calling Hochul “the worst governor in America.”

    “Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent the knee to the raging Defund the Police, Tax Hiking Communist causing catastrophe for New York families,” Stefanik wrote. “I am running for Governor to make New York affordable and safe FOR ALL. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents will unify to save our state.”

    Hochul shared a statement of her own, calling the congresswoman President Trump’s “number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York.”

    “Apparently, screwing over New Yorkers in Congress wasn’t enough – now she’s trying to bring Trump’s chaos and skyrocketing costs to our state,” the governor wrote. “While Stefanik puts Trump first and New York last, Governor Hochul is lowering costs, cutting middle-class taxes, and fighting for the New Yorkers Stefanik abandoned.”

    Rep. Elise Stefanik’s rise

    At age 30, Stefanik became the youngest woman elected to Congress in 2014. She represents New York’s 21st Congressional District upstate and has been reelected five times. 

    In November 2024, Mr. Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for a confirmation hearing in January, but the president withdrew her nomination two months later, saying he wanted her to remain in Congress.

    “As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time, adding, “With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”

    President Trump’s apparent pick

    Then in May, Mr. Trump put out what one political expert described as “a loud message” that he wanted to clear the Republican field for Stefanik by endorsing both Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in their races for reelection. Both had previously expressed interest in a gubernatorial run.

    Lawler later announced he intends to run for reelection in 2026. Sources say Blakeman is still considering joining the governor’s race.

    Meanwhile on the Democratic side, Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.  

    A Siena poll released in September looked at the results of a hypothetical race between Hochul and Stefanik, and had the governor leading 52%-27%.  

    Check back soon for updates on this developing story. 

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  • Topping out of new Belmont Park grandstand latest milestone in horse racing’s biggest rebuild | amNewYork

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    A crane hoists the ceremonial, signed steel beam to the top of the new Belmont Park grandstand on Oct. 15, 2025. The evergreen atop the beam is considered a good luck charm.

    NYRA/Adam Coglianese

    Belmont Park hit another milestone in its $455 million transformation on Wednesday with the ceremonial topping out of the new grandstand that will become, when opened next year, the most modern facility in American thoroughbred racing.

    Gov. Kathy Hochul joined New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials, designers, architects, union workers and other dignitaries in signing the ceremonial steel beam that was hoisted to the top of the new five-story grandstand overlooking the massive Belmont racing surface, which is also being rebuilt to include a new, 1 1/2-mile dirt oval, two turf courses within, and a new 1-mile synthetic racetrack.

    The new Belmont Park is scheduled to hit the ground running in September 2026, offering fans brand new amenities including high-end dining options and entertainment venues. It’s expected to generate at least $155 million for the local economy on the Queens/Nassau border annually as the home of the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, and the 2027 host of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

    long view of new Belmont Park grandstand under construction
    A view of the new Belmont Park grandstand under construction on Oct. 15, 2025.NYRA/Adam Coglianese

    But for Hochul, the project is also about cementing Belmont Park’s legacy for generations to come.

    “This is more than just the money. It’s about, again, enshrining that place forever in the future,” the governor said on Oct. 15. “A place where Julie Krone wrote her way into history — the first and only woman to win a Triple Crown race. The place where Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by a stunning 31 lengths. So let’s continue building on that legacy, a great story, but let’s think about what the future holds for all of us, and the great milestones and history that’ll be made into the future.”

    Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the ceremonial beam topping out the new Belmont Park grandstand on Oct. 15, 2025.
    Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the ceremonial beam topping out the new Belmont Park grandstand on Oct. 15, 2025.NYRA/Adam Coglianese

    NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke said the new Belmont Park would provide New Yorkers with the kind of “sports and entertainment destination that [it] deserves.”

    “Today’s milestone is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the construction personnel on-site, the NYRA team, and the expertise of our partners at AECOM Tishman and Populous,” he said. “Because of their work, a new Belmont Park is coming to Long Island in 2026.”

    When the new Belmont Park opens next year, it will mark a dramatic shift in the thoroughbred racing landscape in New York. Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, which is currently hosting all race dates normally run at Belmont Park along with its usual winter and early spring meets, is scheduled to shut down next summer — and all of NYRA’s race dates, outside of the traditional Saratoga summer meet, will shift to Belmont Park.

    A view of the clubhouse turns for the new Belmont Park main track (still under construction), with the new, green turf courses and a synthetic course within.NYRA/Adam Coglianese
    The new Belmont Park grandstand on the rise, as seen from the still-under-construction paddock.NYRA/Adam Coglianese

    The new grandstand and clubhouse, in addition to being modern, will be equipped to house fans comfortably for all seasons. Additionally, all races during the winter will be run on Belmont’s new synthetic oval, which is scheduled to open for training this November.

    After Aqueduct closes next year, part of the site could be redeveloped should Resorts World New York Casino, which operates out of the former Aqueduct grandstand, wins one of three New York City-area full gaming license that the state Gaming Commission is expected to award in December.

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    Robert Pozarycki

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  • Coastal storm warning: NYC under state of emergency with heavy rain, wind and shore flooding expected | amNewYork

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    NYC umbrellas will be put to the test by an approaching storm.

    File photo/Dean Moses

    Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Sunday for the city’s five boroughs, as a major coastal storm moves into the region.

    The nor’easter is expected to bring isolated coastal flooding along the shore as well as heavy rain — between 1.5 and 3 inches are possible — and wind gusts exceeding 40 mph at times through Monday afternoon.

    The state of emergency enables New York’s government to mobilize and respond quickly to any storm-related emergencies, from power outages to flooding and other related issues. Utility companies such as Con Edison have already dispatched more than 1,600 additional workers across New York City, the Mid-Hudson Valley and Long Island, according to Hochul. 

    Meanwhile, the city is under several storm-related weather advisories and warnings from the National Weather Service, which underscore the expected storm severity.

    A wind advisory is in effect for New York City through 6 p.m. Monday. Sustained winds are expected to reach 20 to 25 mph, with gusts of up to 45 mph at times. Combined with saturated ground from the expected rainfall, the conditions are prime for falling trees and power lines, especially in areas of the city served by overhead wires.

    Visit coned.com or call 800-75-CONED to report any outages or check on the repair status.

    The anticipated wind forecast also led the MTA to ban all empty tractor-trailers from its bridges from 3 p.m. on Sunday until the storm clears. 

    Coastal areas of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island are also under a coastal flood warning until 6 p.m. Monday. Low-lying areas near the shoreline may see inundation of between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet during high tide cycles. The flooding will likely strike basements, parking lots and front lawns.

    Monday’s Columbus Day Parade along 5th Avenue in Midtown was cancelled due to the storm. Because Monday is a legal holiday in New York for Columbus Day, Italian Heritage Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, alternate-side parking rules are suspended.

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    Robert Pozarycki

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  • Federal agents grab and shove journalists outside NYC immigration court, sending one to hospital

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    Federal agents grabbed and shoved journalists in a hallway outside a New York City immigration court on Tuesday, sending one to the hospital in the latest clash between authorities enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and members of the public seeking to observe and document their actions.A visual journalist identified as L. Vural Elibol of the Turkish news agency Anadolu hit his head on the floor at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pushed one journalist off a public elevator and shoved another journalist to the floor, according to video and witnesses.A bystander held Elibol’s head and a nurse treated him until an ambulance arrived, witnesses said. Video showed him in a neck brace as paramedics wheeled him out of the building on a stretcher. The other journalists, amNewYork police bureau chief Dean Moses and Olga Fedorova, a freelance photographer whose clients include The Associated Press, were not seriously injured.Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents’ actions, saying they were being “swarmed by agitators and members of the press, which obstructed operations.””Officers repeatedly told the crowd of agitators and journalists to get back, move, and get out of the elevator,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “Rioters and sanctuary politicians who encourage individuals to interfere with arrests are actively creating hostile environments that put officers, detainees and the public in harm’s way.”A message seeking comment was left for the Anadolu news agency.Moses said the situation escalated when masked agents grabbed him and shoved him from an elevator on the 12th floor as he was attempting to photograph them arresting a woman who had just left immigration court.”I walked into the elevator behind them, and they started screaming at me,” Moses told amNewYork. “Then they pushed me, grabbed me by my arms, and started pulling me out of the elevator. I tried to hold on, but I got shoved out.”Video taken by photographer Stephanie Keith showed that during the struggle, another agent shoved Fedorova, who fell backward toward where Elibol lay on the floor.Fedorova said photographers had worked in the hallway outside immigration court for months without incident. The agents making arrests Tuesday, she said, didn’t announce any limits where journalists could go, and they hadn’t made it clear they were making an arrest when they got on the elevator.”If they tell us to get out, to not cross a certain line, we follow their orders,” Fedorova said. “In this case, it was not clear to anyone that this was a detention at all.”The episode happened just days after a federal agent at the Manhattan immigration court was captured on video shoving an Ecuadorian woman into a wall and onto the floor after her husband was arrested.Both confrontations took place in a part of the federal building that is open to the public, and is routinely filled with immigrants on their way to and from court hearings, agents waiting to make arrests, activists there to protest the arrests, and journalists documenting the confrontations.Elected Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, denounced the agents’ use of force and the Republican administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement.”This abuse of law-abiding immigrants and the reporters telling their stories must end,” Hochul wrote in a social media post. “What the hell are we doing here?”State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for New York City mayor, said: “We cannot accept or normalize what has now become routine violence at 26 Federal Plaza. It has no place in our city.”

    NEW YORK —

    Federal agents grabbed and shoved journalists in a hallway outside a New York City immigration court on Tuesday, sending one to the hospital in the latest clash between authorities enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and members of the public seeking to observe and document their actions.

    A visual journalist identified as L. Vural Elibol of the Turkish news agency Anadolu hit his head on the floor at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pushed one journalist off a public elevator and shoved another journalist to the floor, according to video and witnesses.

    A bystander held Elibol’s head and a nurse treated him until an ambulance arrived, witnesses said. Video showed him in a neck brace as paramedics wheeled him out of the building on a stretcher. The other journalists, amNewYork police bureau chief Dean Moses and Olga Fedorova, a freelance photographer whose clients include The Associated Press, were not seriously injured.

    Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents’ actions, saying they were being “swarmed by agitators and members of the press, which obstructed operations.”

    “Officers repeatedly told the crowd of agitators and journalists to get back, move, and get out of the elevator,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “Rioters and sanctuary politicians who encourage individuals to interfere with arrests are actively creating hostile environments that put officers, detainees and the public in harm’s way.”

    A message seeking comment was left for the Anadolu news agency.

    Moses said the situation escalated when masked agents grabbed him and shoved him from an elevator on the 12th floor as he was attempting to photograph them arresting a woman who had just left immigration court.

    “I walked into the elevator behind them, and they started screaming at me,” Moses told amNewYork. “Then they pushed me, grabbed me by my arms, and started pulling me out of the elevator. I tried to hold on, but I got shoved out.”

    Video taken by photographer Stephanie Keith showed that during the struggle, another agent shoved Fedorova, who fell backward toward where Elibol lay on the floor.

    Fedorova said photographers had worked in the hallway outside immigration court for months without incident. The agents making arrests Tuesday, she said, didn’t announce any limits where journalists could go, and they hadn’t made it clear they were making an arrest when they got on the elevator.

    “If they tell us to get out, to not cross a certain line, we follow their orders,” Fedorova said. “In this case, it was not clear to anyone that this was a detention at all.”

    The episode happened just days after a federal agent at the Manhattan immigration court was captured on video shoving an Ecuadorian woman into a wall and onto the floor after her husband was arrested.

    Both confrontations took place in a part of the federal building that is open to the public, and is routinely filled with immigrants on their way to and from court hearings, agents waiting to make arrests, activists there to protest the arrests, and journalists documenting the confrontations.

    Elected Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, denounced the agents’ use of force and the Republican administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement.

    “This abuse of law-abiding immigrants and the reporters telling their stories must end,” Hochul wrote in a social media post. “What the hell are we doing here?”

    State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for New York City mayor, said: “We cannot accept or normalize what has now become routine violence at 26 Federal Plaza. It has no place in our city.”

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  • NY state Dem boss refuses to endorse Mamdani, causing huge rift in party

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    Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani lost the endorsement of a longtime state party leader despite having the backing of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

    New York State Democratic Committee (NYSDC) Chairman Jay Jacobs announced this week that he will not back Mamdani for mayor despite Democratic voters selecting the Democratic socialist as the party’s nominee. 

    “Mr. Mamdani and I are in agreement that America’s greatest problem is the continued growth of income disparity in our nation,” Jacobs said in a statement to The Hill. “On how to address it — we fundamentally disagree.” 

    EX-MAYOR DE BLASIO TOUTS SOCIALIST MAMDANI AS NEW YORK CITY’S ANSWER TO TRUMP POLICIES

    New York State Democratic Committee (NYSDC) Chairman Jay Jacobs, left, refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani, center, for mayor despite New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, right, already doing so. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images;)

    The Hill reported that the NYSDC leader said that he disagreed with Mamdani’s stance on Israel. 

    Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions throughout the war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. His stance on the issue has become a major topic of the campaign cycle, particularly when he refused to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which some view as a call for violence against Jews. Mamdani has since distanced himself from the phrase, saying he would discourage his supporters from using it. 

    While he would not back Mamdani for mayor, Jacobs dismissed “fearmongering” surrounding the self-described Democratic socialist’s campaign as “a gross over-reaction.”

    Zohran Mamdani speaks September 2025

    New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attends a news conference in the Bronx, where he was endorsed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on Sept. 17, 2025. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

    MAMDANI APPEALS TO NON-DEMOCRATS WITH GENERAL ELECTION PUSH, VOWS GOVERNMENT CAN MEET VOTERS’ ‘MATERIAL NEEDS’

    It remains unclear how the loss of Jacobs’ endorsement will affect Mamdani’s campaign.

    However, it could have an impact on Jacobs’ position as a leader of the party. According to Politico, Jacobs said he would resign from his post if Hochul were to request it.

    “If the governor should ever ask any state chair to resign, they should resign,” Jacobs told Politico.

    New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani

    Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s mayoral nominee in New York City, speaks to reporters on Aug. 7, 2025.  (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Hochul announced her endorsement of Mamdani in an opinion piece in The New York Times on Sept. 14. 

    She shared the article on X and captioned the post, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s [Zohran Mamdani].”

    A recent Quinnipiac University survey showed Mamdani garnering 45% support among likely New York City voters. He was followed by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at 23%, Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa at 15%, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams at 12%. Cuomo and Adams are running as independents, while Sliwa is running as a Republican.

    Fox News Digital reached out to Jacobs, Mamdani and Hochul but did not immediately hear back.

    Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

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  • New York invests $300M in Stony Brook quantum hub | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • pledges $300M for hub at Stony Brook

    • Hub will feature the state’s first hybrid quantum

    • Facility expected to open in 2029 after three years of development

    • Project aims to enhance secure internet and tech-driven economic growth

    New York State is investing $300 million to launch the Quantum Research and at . The initiative aims to integrate research, computing and to address complex societal challenges and build a “faster, smarter and more secure internet,” according to the university.

    The 150,000-square-foot facility will be home to the Stony Brook Quantum Institute, the state’s first university-based hybrid quantum data center, and the SUNY Stony Brook Quantum Education Consortium. Planning and construction are expected to take about three years, with an anticipated opening in 2029.

    Calling Stony Brook University a “research powerhouse,” Gov. said in a news release that the university “will now be able to reach new heights in quantum.”

    Hochul made the announcement on Wednesday at Stony Brook’s New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology.

    “We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do,” she said.

    The funding comes at a time when organizations are navigating pauses and cuts in federal funding.

    Hochul said that “when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down, and SUNY is on the move.”

    Speaking about Stony Brook University’s quantum network, which she described as the largest in the nation, President Andrea Goldsmith said in the news release that through “such transformative research, in partnership with New York State and SUNY, we are accelerating technological advancement and its positive impact across our state and beyond.”

    The hub, she said “will spearhead the future of and networking. Today’s historic investment further advances Stony Brook’s leadership in quantum science and technology, and showcases the bold ground-breaking research across our campus that delivers solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said the investment would drive economic growth.

    “The creation of the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub marks the next step in expanding research capacity, cultivating top talent, and advancing breakthroughs that will drive economic growth and cement New York’s position as a global leader in quantum technology,” Knight said.

    “This investment will give Long Island the bandwidth to be at the forefront of the next era of science and innovation,” Stony Brook alumna and State Senator Monica Martinez said in the news release. “The future Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook will build the infrastructure necessary to expand human understanding and drive the discoveries of tomorrow, creating new economic opportunities that strengthen our region and position New York to lead.”

     

     

     

     


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    Adina Genn

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  • New York details its plans for online age verification rules

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    Last year, New York joined the wave of states passing legislation aimed at protecting minors using the Internet, particularly social media. Governor Kathy Hochul the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act in June 2024. Today, the state’s Attorney General Letitia James released more specifics about what the SAFE for Kids Act will entail in practice. Public comment is open until December 1 and the rules must be finalized within a year from that date.

    In particular, the rule will require online platforms to confirm the ages of users before showing them algorithmically-curated feeds or sending them notifications at night. The Attorney General’s approach allows sites to choose their method of age verification, as long as the approach “are shown to be effective and protect users’ data.” New York will also require an age confirmation method that does not rely on having a government-issued ID.

    There is also a component of parental consent in the SAFE for Kids Act. Minors must request a social media network to seek parental permission for accessing algorithmic feeds or receiving nighttime notifications. If parental consent is not granted, the platforms may not block minors from generally accessing their service or content. Both the minor and their parent may revoke their consent at any time.

    “The proposed rules released by my office today will help us tackle the youth mental health crisis and make social media safer for kids and families,” James said in the announcement. “This is an issue that affects all of us, and I encourage parents, educators, young people, industry groups, and others to review the proposed rules and submit a comment during the public comment period.”

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    Anna Washenko

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  • Trump slams Hochul’s ‘shocking’ endorsement of Mamdani

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    President Donald Trump slammed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday for her endorsement of progressive Zohran Mamdani in his bid for mayor of New York City.

    In a post on Truth Social, the president appeared to warn of withholding federal funds from the state as punishment for Hochul’s endorsement.

    “Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has endorsed the ‘Liddle’ Communist,’ Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”

    Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Hochul, who is running for a second term as New York’s governor, endorsed the Queens state assemblymember on Sunday after months of pressure from progressive Democrats — and after Trump became publicly involved in the mayoral race.

    Apparently eager to coalesce the anti-Mamdani vote behind former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the White House has offered Adams a job in the Trump administration and has considered nominating him to be U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia in exchange for his withdrawal from the mayoral race. But Adams has thus far refused to step aside while Cuomo trails Mamdani by double digits in recent polls.

    In her endorsement in a New York Times op-ed, Hochul praised Mamdani’s affordability platform, though she indicated she does not agree with all of Mamdani’s goals.

    Despite his apparent push for Cuomo’s election, Trump last week said he expects Mamdani to win the race.

    “I’m not looking at the polls too carefully, but it would look like he’s going to win,” Trump said on Fox and Friends. “And that’s a rebellion.”

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