OANA CANDIDATES DEBATE FOR DISTRICT 36:
Candidates for NY Assembly District 36 (Mayor Mamdani’s former seat) scheduled to debate on January 22, 6:30 pm, at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25-02 Newtown Ave. Scheduled to appear are Rana Abdulhamid, Mary Jobaida, and Diana Moreno.
DISTRICT 36 SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATES NIGHT:
The Astoria Homeowners, Tenants & Business Civic Association hosts District 36 Special Election Candidates Night on Wednesday, January 28, at 7pm at Pistilli Grand Manor, 45-02 Ditmars Blvd. Candidates Rana Abdelhamid and Mary Jobaida are confirmed as of this printing. The candidates will present their platforms, and attendees may ask them questions.
BAYSIDE HILLS CIVIC ASSN MEETING:
The Bayside Hills Civic Association General Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:30pm at the Colonial Church of Bayside, 54-02 217th Street.
QBP RICHARDS TO HOST TECH & CAREER EXPO:
Join Borough President Donovan Richards for his fourth annual Tech & Career Expo connecting Queens residents to the tech and innovation spheres on Saturday, January 31, from 9:30am-2pm at the New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street in Corona. Explore opportunities with more than 50 workforce and technology vendors. Free breakfast beginning at 9:30 am while supplies last; explore AI Tech Learning Labs; special presentation from AT&T. RSVP required.
GILLIBRAND DEMANDS TECH GIANTS PROTECT MINORS:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined seven Democratic colleagues in calling on America’s largest tech and social media companies to address the rise of non-consensual, sexualized, AI-generated images being created and appearing on their platforms.
In a letter to the companies, the senators expressed alarm over the spread of this content and asked for more information on how platforms plan to remove such images, prevent their distribution, and notify victims. Since these images began appearing on social media platforms, reports found that Grok was generating about one non-consensual, sexualized image per minute. The creation of these AI-generated images may be in violation of U.S. laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) of adults.
“Americans should be able to post images of themselves and their children online without fear of fake, sexualized images being produced by bullies and pedophiles,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Platforms have a responsibility to stop their AI tools from being used to harass, exploit, and endanger people. We must work together to remove this content, shut down abusers, and protect Americans and minors from harm. I will continue fighting to protect New Yorkers online and stop these platforms from becoming safe havens for exploitation and criminal abuse.”
“We are particularly alarmed by reports of users exploiting generative AI tools to produce sexualized ‘bikini’ or ‘non-nude’ images of individuals without their consent and distributing them on platforms including X and others,” the senators wrote. “These fake yet hyper-realistic images are often generated without the knowledge or consent of the individuals depicted, raising serious concerns about harassment, privacy violations, and user safety.
“Recent reporting has identified large volumes of AI-generated content depicting what appear to be underage girls in sexualized outfits or suggestive poses circulating on social platforms, sometimes attracting substantial engagement despite stated platform prohibitions,” the senators continued. “This report also found that accounts linked to off-platform groups selling illegal material, suggesting monetization pathways for AI-facilitated sexual exploitation. These developments point to a broader crisis of image-based abuse, amplified by AI, that undermines user trust and platform integrity.”
“As policymakers, we are working to address this issue for our constituents,” the senators concluded. “Protecting the privacy, dignity, and safety of individuals, especially women and minors who are frequent targets, is a responsibility shared by platforms, policymakers, and the broader ecosystem.”
GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S 2026 STATE OF THE STATE:
Governor Kathy Hochul today (January 13) delivered her 2026 State of the State address, outlining more than 200 initiatives to make life more affordable, keep New Yorkers safe, and expand opportunity. The Governor’s proposal lays out a clear, actionable plan to meet the challenges families face today, while preparing New York for the road ahead. The Governor provides a path to universal child care, to lowering energy bills, protecting consumers, and confronting the rising costs that hit working families hardest. The plan continues to invest in public safety with strategies that work—including targeted enforcement, cutting-edge technology, and a mental health system that treats people with dignity while keeping communities secure.
“I’ve said from the beginning: Your family is my fight. And in this moment, when the future feels full of promise, but under real threat: your future is my fight as well,” Governor Hochul said. “I fight every day to make life more affordable, keep people safe, and expand opportunity — not shrink it. My 2026 State of the State lays out a clear, actionable plan to meet the challenges families face today, while preparing New York for the road ahead.”
Among her proposals are:
Investments toward statewide universal child care to make New York more affordable for families.
Cracking down on fraud to reduce insurance rates for drivers and first-in-nation plan to address excessive home insurance company profits.
Proposing sweeping reforms to protect ratepayers from rising utility costs.
Advancing first-in-the-nation legislation to crack down on illegal homegrown 3d-printed guns.
Protecting New Yorkers’ constitutional rights, religious freedom and access to care.
Launching the ‘let them build’ agenda, a series of landmark reforms to build housing and other critical infrastructure projects faster and at lower costs.
Committing $50 million to reimagine Jamaica station; planning to advance Second Avenue subway westward expansion.
Promoting youth mental health and safeguarding kids online.
Transformative investments to strengthen safety net hospitals.
Protecting New Yorkers’ personal information by cracking down on shadowy data broker industry.
Requiring labeling for AI-generated content, protecting elections from misleading or deceptive AI content, and prohibiting misleading ‘discounts’ to consumers.
209 transformative proposals to make New York more affordable, keep people safe, and expand opportunities.
For the full State of the State address, go to www.governor.ny.gov.
DiNAPOLI STATEMENT ON 2026 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS:
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli: “During today’s State of the State Address, Gov. Hochul outlined her priorities for New Yorkers in 2026, including addressing critical issues like the affordability crisis, gun violence, clean water, food insecurity, and investing in universal child care. My office has detailed the challenges faced by working parents and child care providers, and a commitment to advancing universal child care in our state is laudable.
“The relationship between the state and the federal government has drastically changed since the Trump administration took office. New York is looking at significant cuts from Washington and actions that will continue to increase state expenses and create substantial shortfalls in the current and outyear state budgets.
“State policymakers are going into the budget process with big challenges: federal cuts, heightened economic uncertainty, a shrinking safety net and continued affordability challenges for New York residents and businesses. It’s critical New York’s spending is balanced with its revenues, while continuing to focus on keeping services that New Yorkers rely on.
“I look forward to hearing more about the Governor’s plan to fund today’s proposals when the Executive budget is released.”
THE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC, AND ASIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS RESPONDS TO THE GOVERNOR’S 2026 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS:
In her annual State of the State address today, Governor Kathy Hochul outlined her plans to propel New York forward in 2026. This comes as the Caucus prepares to release the 2026 People’s Budget, which provides a blueprint for affordability and targeted investments for working-class and marginalized communities.
“I look forward to working with the Governor to advance her initiatives so that she can deliver real results to our communities. At the same time, we require urgency and accountability. As we move forward this legislative session, we must take bold action to meet the challenges faced daily by New Yorkers, including doing far more to protect our immigrant families. I’m ready to do the work with my colleagues and demand that the Governor join us in this work,” stated Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, 1st Vice Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. “I am proud to see the Governor embrace policies I have been fighting for over multiple legislative sessions, including modernizing EBT cards and expanding Summer Meals for New York students. Every New Yorker deserves the dignity of knowing their next meal is guaranteed. As families face rising costs of living, no one should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, Secretary of the Caucus. “Affordability, immigration, and housing are the defining issues of 2026, and no one feels them more acutely than the working-class and immigrant families I represent in the 30th Assembly District. This year, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus to advance a People’s Budget that puts communities first and aligns with Governor Hochul’s commitment to making New York more affordable for working families,” stated Assemblymember Steven Raga. “New Yorkers deserve a government that works for working people. From tackling the affordability crisis to delivering universal childcare, I am committed to investing in public transit, climate action, and a care economy that values our communities. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues across the State Legislature to meet this moment,” stated Senator Kristen Gonzalez (SD-59).
NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON THE STATE OF THE STATE:
NYS Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar: “Governor Kathy Hochul’s speech today is a cynical farce. She has made life in New York more unaffordable than ever, and today’s State of the State sophistry guarantees it’s going to get worse in 2026. Her feel-good proposals are unaffordable and unsustainable and will only result in even deeper New York State deficits.
“Mrs. Hochul is being fundamentally dishonest: She’s spreading the lie that she won’t raise taxes on New Yorkers again––just as she plans to hike the financial burden on millions of us through higher taxes, fees, congestion price hikes, tolls, energy add-ons, etc.
“The Governor’s disastrous energy policies are being especially felt right now by every homeowner and landlord in the state. Her policies are literally making seniors choose between heat and food.
“This is an extremely weak governor incapable of standing up to left-wing radicals taking over the Democrat Party in New York State. Mrs. Hochul’s economic prescriptions are exactly wrong for a state whose economy has been atrophying for a generation. She continues to do damage as governor.
“The Conservative Party prays for wisdom in the voting booth this November. New York is headed nowhere. It is a non-competitive tax hell. The time to turn this state around, by electing conservative Bruce Blakeman governor, is now.”
CABÁN NAMED CHAIR OF COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION:
In response to her appointment as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health and Addiction, New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán released the following statement:
“I am honored to be appointed by Council Speaker Julie Menin to serve as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health and Addiction. As a public defender, I saw every day how our city failed our neighbors by addressing mental illness and substance use disorders as ‘crimes’ instead of what they are: public health challenges that can only be addressed with care and support, not punishment. And I have seen what is possible. As a leader in Local Progress, a nationwide movement of progressive local elected officials, I have visited other cities and learned how they are building a compassionate continuum of care. Here in New York City, I am intimately familiar with the incredible, effective services that desperately need to be scaled. Just this week, the Trump administration recklessly cut $2 billion in funding for mental health and substance use treatment, only to restore the funding less than 48 hours later after bipartisan backlash. Here in New York City, our commitment to mental healthcare and harm reduction must be unwavering. I look forward to working alongside advocates, peers, and professionals to build a city where everyone has access to care and dignity. As Chair, I will dedicate myself to one principle: if it saves lives, it’s worth doing.”
UNG TO SERVE AS DEPUTY LEADER OF THE NYC COUNCIL:
Councilmember Sandra Ung has been appointed to serve as Deputy Leader of the New York City Council under newly elected Speaker Julie Menin. The announcement was made ahead of the City Council’s Stated Meeting on Thursday afternoon.
At that Stated Meeting, Councilmember Ung was also named Chair of the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards and Ethics. In this role, she will have jurisdiction over the City Council’s structure and organization, appointments, and practices and policies related to ethics and oversight of the Conflicts of Interest Board.
“I am proud to accept the role of Deputy Leader in the New York City Council, and as the Chair of the Committee on Rules,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “I look forward to working with Speaker Menin to advance an agenda that focuses on making the city livable for all New Yorkers. I have long admired Speaker Menin’s career, and that admiration has only grown deeper during the last four years as colleagues in the City Council. I am honored by the trust she has placed in me, and I am ready to get to work.”
WONG APPOINTED TO KEY COMMITTEES, SENIOR BUDGET ROLE:
Council Member Phil Wong (D-Maspeth) announced today that he has been appointed to several key New York City Council committees, including four of the most influential: Finance, Education, Public Safety, and Transportation and Infrastructure. In addition, he will serve on the Fire and Emergency Management, Veterans, and Workforce Development Committees, giving him broad responsibility over core issues ranging from school quality and public safety to transportation, emergency response, services for veterans, and job training and placement. Through these assignments, Wong will help shape these committees’ agendas and provide oversight of major city agencies including the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Finance, Department of Education, NYPD, FDNY, Department of Transportation, and related public safety, emergency management, and workforce agencies.
Wong has also been named to the Speaker’s Budget Negotiation Team, a senior role that will help guide the Council’s negotiations with Mayor Zohran Mamdani on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. This appointment gives him a direct voice in setting citywide spending priorities at a time when the economic outlook is uncertain and every tax dollar must be carefully scrutinized.
“Apart from constituent services and ensuring that the quality of life in our district is maintained, a very important role of a Council Member is to provide oversight over the various city agencies that taxpayers pay their hard earned tax dollars for,” said Wong. “I’m proud that as a freshman, I was appointed to many important committees, and I thank Speaker Menin for the trust she has in me to play a pivotal role in shaping these committees, providing oversight of the agencies under their jurisdiction, and helping the Council negotiate the upcoming budget at a time when the economic outlook is uncertain and we must work together to keep New York on a stable, responsible path forward.”
WON ON 3-K AND PRE-K SEATS:
Council Member Julie Won: “Since taking office in 2022, we’ve added 135 more 3-K and Pre-K seats and we’re adding 84 more 3-K and Pre-K seats for the 2026 school year, totaling 219 new seats. We also added 6,000 seats for grades K-12 in our district. My team and I have been working with all early childhood education centers to provide support. Please reach out to my office at district26@council.nyc.gov if you require assistance with your school, if your child’s school needs assistance, or if you want us to visit your school. Applications for 3-K and Pre-K are open! Parents can apply for Fall 2026 admission through MySchools. Applications close on February 27, with offers released on May 12 for Pre-K and May 19 for 3-K. For any questions, contact my office at district26@council.nyc.gov or at (718) 383-9566.”
RAGA APPOINTED CO-CHAIR OF THE NYS BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC & LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS’ PEOPLE’ BUDGET:
Assemblymember Steven Raga has been appointed Co-Chair of the People’s Budget, the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus’ comprehensive annual budget agenda focused on investing in communities of color and improving quality of life statewide. The People’s Budget serves as a blueprint for legislative budget advocacy, centering investments in labor protections, economic justice, housing, healthcare, education, and other critical areas impacting Black, Latino, and Asian communities. As Co-Chair, Assemblymember Raga will help lead discussions with Caucus members, synthesizing district-level priorities and shaping final recommendations in the People’s Budget. Assemblymember Steven Raga represents Assembly District 30, encompassing Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst, one of the most diverse districts in New York State, home to communities representing a wide range of cultures, religions, and languages. “It’s an honor to serve as Co-Chair of the People’s Budget at a moment when working families are facing rising costs, housing instability, and economic uncertainty,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga. “The People’s Budget ensures that the voices of our most diverse and historically underserved communities are not only heard, but reflects in real budget priorities that deliver dignity, opportunity, and stability.”
HOCHUL UNVEILS PLAN TO REIMAGINE JAMAICA STATION:
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced her plan to advance two significant transit projects to improve New Yorkers’ commutes as part of her 2026 State of the State. As part of the Governor’s FY27 Executive Budget, she will propose $50 million to fund the design of a reimagined Jamaica Station, better integrating Subway, Long Island Rail Road and AirTrain service for the 200,000 daily riders who pass through this transit hub every day. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have already begun a joint effort to coordinate this project. In addition, Governor Hochul will propose building on her investment in the FY25 Enacted Budget funding a feasibility study for westward expansion of the Second Avenue Subway by advancing the preliminary engineering and design process to continue tunneling across 125 Street to Broadway. According to the MTA’s 20 Year Needs Assessment, this proposed expansion would have a daily ridership of nearly 240,000 and would save riders over 30 minutes of travel time each week on average.
Jamaica Station is integral to the commutes of millions of New Yorkers, enabling workers and students in Queens to get to school and jobs, allowing travelers to get to and from Long Island, ensuring travelers from around the world can efficiently and affordably get to JFK Airport, and connecting New Yorkers to world-class sporting and entertainment events. More than 1,000 trains and 200,000 passengers transit Jamaica Station every weekday, making it the fourth busiest commuter rail station in North America — surpassed only by Grand Central Station, Penn Station and Toronto’s Union Station. Yet Jamaica Station has been left far behind in terms of customer experience and investment; it was last upgraded 23 years ago, when the AirTrain JFK began operation in 2003.
To modernize Jamaica Station into the world-class station experience it deserves to be, Governor Hochul is taking the next step to design a reimagined Jamaica Station. The reimagined Jamaica Station will help create better traffic flow, reduce crowding, and build out a world class station complex providing seamless connection between the LIRR Main Line, NYC Transit, and AirTrain JFK for the millions of commuters who depend on it.
RICHARDS ON JAMAICA STATION REIMAGINATION PROPOSAL:
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. stated the following in response to a proposal unveiled by Governor Kathy Hochul today to reimagine Jamaica Station — the fourth-busiest rail station in North America — and improve the commutes of hundreds of thousands of daily subway, Long Island Rail Road, and AirTrain riders.
“Governor Hochul has repeatedly demonstrated her unwavering commitment to The World’s Borough since the moment she assumed office. She has done so yet again with this groundbreaking announcement to transform Jamaica Station into the world-class transit hub those of us in Southeast Queens have always believed it should be,” said Borough President Richards. “From creating seamless connections between the subway, rail and AirTrain to reducing traffic and overcrowding, the reimagining of Jamaica Station is the kind of generational investment that Queens not only deserves, but has become accustomed to receiving from the Hochul Administration.
“Today’s announcement also represents a validation of the tireless work we’ve done on a local level to reinvigorate one of New York City’s greatest cultural and economic centers — from rezoning 300 blocks of Jamaica, allowing us to build thousands of new affordable homes, to pouring $70 million into upgrading the aging streetscape of Jamaica Avenue,” added Borough President Richards. “That kind of holistic work isn’t possible without the partnership of Governor Hochul, whose commitment to making life easier and more affordable for Queens residents is clear. I’m proud to strive alongside her in that righteous fight to uplift our borough, defend it from the autocratic regime in Washington and create the kind of equitable future all families who call it home deserve.”
MAMDANI SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CUT FINES AND FEES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order 11 to create an inventory and identify ways to cut the fees and fines that small businesses pay in New York City. Small businesses face a complex web of over 6,000 regulations and rules, which make it harder to start or grow a business in New York, and drives up costs for businesses and customers alike. The executive order directs the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, Julie Su, and seven agencies to create a comprehensive inventory of fees and civil penalties, identify ways to reduce and streamline them, and advance policy reforms to do so in the coming months. Mayor Mamdani signed the executive order on the counter of a locally-owned small business in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.
“You cannot tell the story of New York without our small businesses. Yet, our City has long made it too hard for these same businesses to open their doors, and to keep them open. With today’s Executive Order, we will bring that chapter to an end, instead delivering relief to businesses from the fines and fees that drive up their costs,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
“The small business owners who give this city its identity and vibrancy have too rarely been considered in the backrooms where decisions are made. Not on our watch,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Mayor Mamdani was elected to City Hall not solely because his campaign offered solutions for the countless New Yorkers tired of rents being raised, childcare costs soaring year after year, and public transit failing those who rely upon it. He was elected because he spoke to the small business owners of this city as partners and because he knows that when New Yorkers feel a challenge, small business owners often feel it first. For us, uplifting small businesses is a core responsibility of city government.”
Under Executive Order 11, seven City agencies, under the direction of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, must create a full inventory of the fees and civil penalties that they collect and identify whether they can be reduced within 45 days. Within 90 days, these agencies must determine which fees are unnecessary and can be eliminated through a rulemaking process. Within 180 days, city officials will identify even further fees and penalties that require legislative action to be reduced. Lastly, within the next year, city agencies will create a report on the feasibility of an amnesty and relief program for business owners.
GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES NEW BILL TO BAN CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING:
86% of Americans support passing a bill to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks
U.S. Senators Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act, which would ban stock ownership and trading for members of Congress and their immediate family members. This is companion legislation to the bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02) in the U.S. House of Representatives, which currently has 126 total cosponsors. To date, 79 representatives–both Democrats and Republicans—have signed a discharge petition filed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote.
“It is fundamental to our Republic that members of Congress are focused on our nation and its citizens’ well-being, not how they may financially profit from their positions,” said the senators. “That is why we are proud to introduce this commonsense bill to ban members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks. We will continue to fight tirelessly to make sure it becomes law.”
The STOCK Act–which Senator Gillibrand led to passage in 2012—bars members of Congress from using insider information to buy and sell stocks. Despite this legislation, one in three members of Congress traded stocks or other financial assets from 2019-2021, and at least 3,700 of those trades posed potential conflicts of interest with their legislative responsibilities. The Restore Trust in Congress Act would help eliminate these conflicts of interest by prohibiting congressional stock holding and trading entirely.
GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE WHOLE MILK FOR HEALTHY KIDS ACT:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made the following statement on the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The bill changes the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) current meal program guidelines to permit schools to serve whole milk in addition to reduced-fat and fat-free milk, as well as nutritionally equivalent milk substitutes at the request of a parent or guardian. Senator Gillibrand is an original cosponsor of the bill in the Senate.
“Kids need nutritious meals to learn and thrive, and whole milk provides those critical nutrients. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act invests in children’s health and supports New York State’s dairy farmers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “By allowing schools to offer whole milk and milk substitutes that are equivalent in nutrition, we’re making school meals healthier and ensuring that locally produced dairy continues to play a role in feeding the next generation. It’s a win for students, schools, and New York agriculture.”
New York State is the fifth-largest producer of dairy in the country, and the dairy industry is New York’s largest agricultural sector. New York’s nearly 2,800 dairy farms produce 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, representing over 7% of total U.S. milk production.
UNG ON PROTECTING SNAP BENEFITS:
Councilmember Sandra Ung is urging constituents to remain vigilant when using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards following a recent increase in reports of stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and cash assistance due to EBT skimming.
EBT skimming occurs when thieves place illegal devices on point-of-sale terminals to capture card information. Once obtained, criminals use that information to steal an individual or family’s monthly benefits, often before they even know their account has been compromised. A temporary federal reimbursement program that allowed victims to recover stolen benefits expired at the start of 2025. Without that safety net, families who rely on SNAP are left with no way to replace their stolen funds.
“Families who rely on SNAP and cash assistance are already struggling, and when their benefits are stolen, they suffer twice,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “First, they lose the assistance they depend on to buy food or pay for basic needs, and then they are forced to choose between hunger and hardship. I strongly encourage every EBT cardholder to create an EBT Edge account and learn how to freeze and unfreeze their cards.”
The most effective way to protect EBT benefits is by creating an online EBT Edge account, which allows cardholders to freeze and unfreeze their EBT cards between purchases and disable out-of-state transactions, making it significantly more difficult for thieves to use stolen information.
Older adults and immigrant households have been particularly impacted by EBT skimming, often because they are less familiar with digital safeguards or less likely to suspect fraud at local retailers. In November, Councilmember Ung partnered with Selfhelp Community Services to host a workshop for seniors on how to identify tampered card terminals and prevent theft.
Councilmember Ung is again urging residents to take extra precautions at checkout machines, including:
Checking for loose or bulky card readers;
Inspecting PIN pads for overlays or mismatched coloring;
Shielding PIN entry; and
Avoiding unfamiliar ATMs or terminals when possible.
Cardholders who need assistance setting up an EBT Edge account or learning how to freeze their cards are encouraged to contact the Councilmember’s office at (718) 888-8747 or district20@council.nyc.gov.
“We cannot leave vulnerable families behind,” added Councilmember Ung. “Until we restore protections at the federal level, education and vigilance are our strongest tools.”
STAVISKY HELPS FUND ST. MARY’S NEW PLAYGROUND:
St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children celebrated the completion of a brand-new playground at its Bayside campus, which was funded by a $258,000 grant from New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. The funds, allocated through the New York State Senate, helped St. Mary’s to make their playground more inclusive for the unique population of patients the Healthcare System serves as well as provide more opportunities for patients to receive therapy in an outdoor setting.
The updated playground will expand accessibility for a wide range of patients and accommodate patients at all stages of development and differing physical limitations, including kids with speech impairments and motor difficulties. New features include a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, a wheelchair accessible glider, an accessible zipline, and a symbol panel for non-verbal patients to communicate with their friends during play time.
“I believe that children who are hospitalized should have the opportunity to be a child, even as patients. That is why I was delighted to secure $258,000 to help St. Mary’s hospital build a more inclusive and therapeutic playground for children who rely on this remarkable facility,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “These renovations ensure that every child can play, strengthen their skills, and experience the joy of childhood. I am grateful to the St. Mary’s team and our partners in government for their commitment to helping children thrive.”
MONSERRATE ON ANTISEMITISM IN JACKSON HEIGHTS:
Former State Senator and District Leader Hiram Monserrate stated, “This report outlines a serious and troubling pattern of antisemitism throughout Jackson Heights. It is happening right here in our diverse mosaic. Antisemitism and hate are not tolerated here. We will never tolerate this; we will call it out and we will always strongly stand against it! Today, we call upon the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws and protect all the residents of our community. We demand an investigation. Those responsible for spreading fear in our community and encouraging hatred should be brought to justice.”
Professor Sam Kleinplatz (CUNY retired) added, “As a child of Holocaust survivors, there is nothing more urgent than to End Antisemitism. This epidemic can only be accomplished through an interfaith effort and as of today we are announcing the establishment of our Interfaith Partners to End Antisemitism, a community-based group of clergy, educators and activists dedicated to eradicating hate. United we stand, divided we are doomed.” Rabbi Yehuouda Cohen of the Worldwide Chabad, “It is an honor once again as I did in Singapore in an Interfaith organization to stand with people of all faiths. Through education and respect, we can achieve miracles.” Muhammad Rashid, long-time resident of Jackson Heights and President of Academia, stated, “In Jackson Heights we learn to live in the spirit of caring, sharing, understanding, and tolerance. This is our community.” Pastor Simpson Turner Jr., FDNY Chaplain, “I am dedicated to bringing diverse communities together to solve the City’s problems and the Interfaith Partners to End Antisemitism is an important first step towards that goal.” Imam Kazi Abdul Qayyoom closed stating, “Religious leaders and residents must actively challenge bigotry and violence, which misrepresents true faith and our collective security.”
MENIN UNVEILS PLAN TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM:
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin today announced a comprehensive, Council-led package of legislative and funding actions to combat antisemitism, strengthen protections for schools and all houses of worship, and expand Holocaust education citywide. The announcement was made at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, alongside Council Members, faith leaders, and community advocates.
The City Council’s Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism is a proactive approach to addressing rising antisemitism through concrete action, pairing education and prevention with enhanced public safety, data collection, and accountability, while firmly upholding constitutional protections and the rights of all New Yorkers.
“At a moment of rising antisemitism, the City Council is taking decisive, responsible action to invest in education, strengthen protections for schools and houses of worship, support community safety, and ensure we have the tools to confront antisemitism wherever it appears,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “As the first Jewish Speaker of the City Council, and as the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, this issue is deeply personal to me. These actions are about protecting New Yorkers, and ensuring that hatred, harassment, and intimidation are never normalized in our city.”
The Council’s action comes amid a documented rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide and heightened concerns about safety around religious institutions in New York City. According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of reported hate crimes in 2025, although only approximately 10% of New York City residents are Jewish. Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of hate crimes more than all other groups combined.
The City Council’s Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism includes:
Major New Investment in Holocaust Education and Legislation to Address Discriminatory Misinformation
The Council will allocate $1.25 million in new funding over two fiscal years to the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust — including $250,000 through the end of FY26 and $1 million in FY27 — a significant increase over current annual funding levels. The investment will support the development of a new virtual Holocaust education experience, expanded school outreach, and broader access for students citywide, complementing existing in-person programming. The Council will also introduce legislation to require the Department of Education to distribute materials to students regarding the ways that social media use can contribute to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate.
Schools and Houses of Worship Access and Safety Act
New legislation will establish a safe perimeter around entrances and exits of houses of worship, prohibiting harassment and intimidation of individuals while preserving First Amendment rights. The measure is designed to ensure New Yorkers can safely attend religious services without fear or obstruction.
Private School Security Infrastructure Reimbursement Program
The Council will establish a needs-based reimbursement program to help private schools install security camera systems, prioritizing institutions with limited resources. The program is designed to enhance student safety at schools lacking the necessary resources. Many private and parochial schools serve low- and moderate-income families and lack access to funding available to public schools. This program is needs-based and narrowly focused on safety infrastructure.
Community-Based Security Training Initiative
A new city-supported program will fund security training for Jewish organizations and institutions, as well as organizations of all denominations, with a focus on smaller, community-based institutions that may lack access to professional safety planning and preparedness resources.
Antisemitism Incident Reporting and Data Act
The Council will establish a dedicated hotline to report incidents of antisemitism, housed within the NYC Commission on Human Rights. The Commission will be tasked with tracking incident frequency, geographic patterns, and trends, and reporting findings to inform future policy and enforcement.
The announcement builds on Speaker Menin’s long-standing leadership on Holocaust education and combating antisemitism. In 2024, she spearheaded a landmark public-private partnership to send all eighth-grade public and charter school students to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, expanding access to Holocaust education for tens of thousands of students citywide. That initiative, one of the most ambitious of its kind in the country, was designed to confront antisemitism at its roots through education, dialogue, and historical understanding.
“Education is our most powerful tool in confronting antisemitism, and Speaker Menin has consistently understood that truth,” said Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. “Her leadership and this historic investment in the Museum’s educational programming will allow us to reach more students, expand innovative learning experiences, and ensure that Holocaust education remains a living, relevant force for New York City’s young people. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and her unwavering commitment to education as a foundation for understanding, empathy, and civic responsibility.”
RICHARDS TOWN HALL ON EDUCATION:
Borough President Donovan Richards joined new Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels at a Northeast Queens community town hall on Thursday, January 15, to discuss education needs in the area. The BP is working closely with the Mamdani Administration to ensure the needs of our schools are known, secure funding and give all our students, regardless of ZIP code, the support they need to thrive.
STATE TAX RECEIPTS AND SPENDING OUTPACE PROJECTIONS:
State tax receipts totaled $85.8 billion through three quarters of the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26, $2.3 billion higher than estimates released in the Division of Budget’s (DOB) Mid-Year Update to the Enacted Budget Financial Plan. On a year-over-year basis, collections were $5.9 billion higher than those through December 2024, according to the monthly State Cash Report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“The state enters the final quarter of the fiscal year in good financial condition,” DiNapoli said. “However, continued threats from Washington pose a risk to the state’s finances, as well as its economy. The federal spending cuts necessitate a continued bolstering of reserves in order to protect the services New Yorkers rely on.”
Personal income tax receipts totaled $44.9 billion and were $1.5 billion above DOB’s financial plan projections and $4.2 billion higher than the same period in SFY 2024-25, reflecting, in part, the impact of wage and financial market growth over the course of the year.
Year-to-date consumption and use tax collections totaled $17.9 billion which were 5.7%, or $964.4 million, higher than the same period last year and $384.4 million higher than DOB estimates. Sales tax receipts, the largest share of these taxes, increased by $951.7 million, or 6.2%. Business taxes, which include collections from the pass-through entity tax, totaled $20.6 billion, $416.4 million higher than through December than in the prior fiscal year and $321.8 million higher than DOB’s financial plan projections.
All Funds spending through December totaled $183.4 billion, which was $11.1 billion, or 6.5%, higher than last year for the same period, primarily due to increased Medicaid and other public health costs. All Funds spending through December was $1.2 billion higher than DOB projections, primarily due to higher local assistance spending partially offset by lower than anticipated spending from state capital projects funds. State Operating Funds spending totaled $100.1 billion, $9.1 billion, or 10% higher than last year and $401.2 million higher than projected.
The state’s General Fund ended December with a balance of $53.9 billion, $2.4 billion higher than projected, primarily due to higher than anticipated tax collections but down by $1.3 billion, or 2.3% from the previous year.
*** Crime Blotter ***
KEW GARDENS MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR POSSESSING ARSENAL OF WEAPONS:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Charles Foehner was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty in November to criminal possession of a weapon stemming from charges in which the defendant was in possession of unlicensed and unregistered firearms, including four assault weapons, inside his Kew Gardens apartment. The defendant was accosted on 82nd Avenue, near Queens Boulevard, in the early morning hours of May 31, 2023. Foehner shot and killed 32-year-old Cody Gonzalez during the incident. After the shooting, a cache of illegal weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition, hundreds of large capacity feeding devices and bulletproof vests were found during a court-authorized search of the residence.
At District Attorney Katz’ discretion, the defendant was not charged for his role in the shooting.
District Attorney Katz said: “While investigating a May 2023 shooting incident, we found Charles Foehner in possession of 26 unlicensed and unregistered weapons, 13,000 rounds of ammunition and 152 large capacity feeding devices, 10 of which were loaded, inside the defendant’s home. Four of the firearms were determined to be assault weapons and nearly all the illegal firearms were fully operational. This stockpile was not a collection of your grandfather’s harmless, inoperable, antique weapons. This was an arsenal of lethal firearms and assault weapons possessed in full violation of New York State law.”
A court-authorized search warrant of the defendant’s residence on May 31, 2023, resulted in the recovery of:
Two .38-caliber Smith and Wesson pistols
Four .357-caliber Smith and Wesson revolvers
Three 7.62 mm x 39 Norinco rifles
Two 12-gauge Mossberg shotguns
One .38-caliber Cobra revolver
One .32-caliber Harrington and Richardson revolver
One .32-caliber Beretta pistol
One .22-caliber Browning pistol
One .25-caliber Precision Small Parts pistol
One 9 mm Glock pistol
One .45-caliber Glock pistol
One .380 Auto Caliber Norinco pistol
One .45-caliber Colt pistol
One .22-caliber Ruger rifle
One 30 Carbine Caliber Winchester rifle
One 30-06 Ruger rifle
One 5.56 x 45 mm caliber semi-automatic Norinco assault rifle
One .357-caliber Magnum Colt
13,074 rounds of ammunition
152 large capacity feeding devices, 10 of which were loaded
Two bulletproof vests
One inoperable pistol
Foehner, 67, of 82nd Road in Kew Gardens, pleaded guilty on November 20 to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino sentenced Foehner today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of post-release supervision.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, the defendant was involved in a fatal shooting that took place at approximately 2 a.m. on May 31, 2023, on 82nd Avenue, near Queens Boulevard, in Kew Gardens. No criminal charges were filed in relation to the shooting.
The defendant was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a weapon on June 1, 2023, at the 102nd Precinct.
DEFENDANT INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGE FOR 1998 COLD CASE:
Female Victim Found Inside Turf Motel in Astoria in January 1998
Defendant Faces up to 25 years to life in Prison, if Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jose Velasquez was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned today on a charge of second-degree murder in the 1998 strangulation homicide of an unidentified female victim. The victim was found inside an Astoria motel on January 12, 1998, with a scarf tightly wrapped around her neck. No identification was found with the victim and she has yet to be identified.
District Attorney Katz said: “For almost three decades, this female victim remained unidentified and without justice, but she was never forgotten. The Cold Case Unit I created when I first took office exists for this very reason: to ensure that justice is not denied by time or anonymity. The defendant is accused of strangling the victim 28 years ago inside the Turf Motel in Astoria. Every victim matters, and we are committed to holding offenders accountable, no matter how long it takes. I thank members of my Cold Case Unit and our partners at the NYPD Cold Case Squad for their work on this case.”
Velasquez, 59, formerly of Astoria, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree. Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court March 6. Velasquez faces up to 25 years to life in prison, if convicted.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges in the indictment and the investigation, the unidentified female victim was between approximately 25 and 35 years old at the time of her death. On January 12, 1998, she was found deceased inside Room 119 of the Turf Motel located at 31-62 14th Street in Astoria. Her body was discovered under a mattress and inside the mattress box of the bed. She had a scarf tightly wrapped around her neck. No forms of identification were found on the woman’s body.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in 1998 determined that the cause of death was ligature strangulation. At the time of the autopsy, evidence was collected and retained including the victim’s underwear and scrapings and clippings of her fingernails.
At the request of the DA Katz’ Cold Case Unit, the medical examiner’s office retested the DNA in May 2023. The OCME developed a profile of a potential suspect and linked the DNA under the victim’s fingernails and on her underwear to Velasquez. In January 2025, the defendant was interviewed by members of the NYPD Cold Case Squad and denied having ever been to the Turf Motel. He was indicted by a grand jury on January 13, 2026.
The District Attorney’s Office has routinely sought assistance identifying the victim in this matter via regular social media outreach requesting any information that could help advance the case.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.