Tag: kathy-hochul

González-Rojas heralds inclusion of universal school meals in historic state budget win

González-Rojas

May. 15, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas has welcomed the inclusion of universal school meals in the recently-approved state budget, stating that every New York student will now have access to free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family’s income. The recently-approved New York State Budget allocates $340 million for school…

State Sen. Gonzalez lauds budget for cost-of-living measures but says bold action is still needed

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez speaks in the State Senate. Photo courtesy of office of State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez.

May. 14, 2025 By sobrien May 14, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez touted a number of measures introduced in the recently-approved state budget that will help working families combat inflation but said the budget could have been “bolder” in its efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Gonzalez, who represents areas in…

Judge extends CDPAP registration deadline to May 15 following Liu’s push

PPL transition deadline extended for CDPAP patients and workers statewide

Apr. 15, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A federal judge has extended the deadline for thousands of New Yorkers enrolled in the state’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to transition to Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL), the state’s new fiscal intermediary, following calls from State Sen. John Liu and legal advocates for more time to…

Advocates fight Trump-era deportations as fear grows in Queens immigrant communities

Some immigrants in Queens have gone into hiding as deportations rise under Trump.

Apr. 10, 2025 By Jimmy Robles Since returning to the White House for a second term in January, President Donald J. Trump has swiftly moved forward with his aggressive “mass deportation” agenda—removing more than 28,000 undocumented immigrants from the United States in just the first few months, according to reports. Although the administration claimed…

Elected officials blast Trump over FEMA cuts affecting Queens flood mitigation

trump

Apr. 10, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A slew of elected officials from Queens have blasted the Trump Administration’s decision to cut more than $300 million in federal funding for flood protection and climate resiliency across New York State, including resources to combat flooding in Queens. U.S. Reps. Grace Meng and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined State…

Assembly Member González-Rojas, advocates push for gender equity funding in New York budget

Mar. 13, 2025 By sobrien March 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas joined fellow elected officials and representatives from a number of non-profits advocating for gender equality at the State Capitol in Albany last week to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to center gender equity in the FY26 Budget. González-Rojas, the…

Queens lawmakers rally against Con Edison’s 14% rate hike proposal

con edison

Feb. 13, 2025 By Colum Motherway Several Queens elected officials are voicing their opposition to Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes for electricity and gas, urging the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the increases and address ongoing concerns about utility affordability. The proposal, which could raise rates by up to 14%,…

A $1 million effort: Gov. Hochul and Queens officials work to curb crime and boost safety on Roosevelt Avenue

From left to right: AM-elect Larinda Hooks, Korean American Family Service Center executive director Jeehae Fischer, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Gov. Kathy Hochul, AM Catalina Cruz, AM Jessica González-Rojas, CM Shekar Krishnan and AM Steven Raga at the launch of the Roosevelt Avenue fund Tuesday. Photo: Office of Jessica González-Rojas

Nov. 27, 2024 By sobrien Nov. 27, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Gov. Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and several Queens elected officials gathered at Queens Borough Hall Tuesday to announce $1 million in funding to address illegal activities on Roosevelt Avenue. Hochul and Richards were joined by Assembly Members Jessica González-Rojas, Catalina Cruz… Read more »