On November 1st, without federal action, 73,000 people in Westchester County and over 40 million Americans will lose access to the benefits that put food on their tables. That’s why I joined local Westchester leaders to demand that the U.S. Department of Agriculture release contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). You can view my full remarks in the video below.
While the federal administration stalls, New York is stepping up. New York has committed $65 million in new state funds to provide 40 million meals to New Yorkers through local food banks, pantries, and emergency food programs, so that no one in our community goes hungry.
This is a matter of choice and compassion. In the wealthiest nation in the world, no one should go hungry. I’m urging federal leaders to act immediately so our children, seniors, and working families can continue to receive the food assistance they rely on.
To learn how the federal shutdown may affect November SNAP benefits, please visit otda.ny.gov/snap-benefits-shutdown.asp.
Under my leadership in the State Senate, we’ve advanced policies and secured funding that directly strengthen our communities across Westchester. Last week, I joined Governor Hochul in Valhalla to see how state investments and policies are making a difference.
More than $11.4 million in state funding has been awarded to 33 law enforcement agencies right here in Westchester County. This funding will help local police agencies upgrade their technology, things like patrol-vehicle tablets, body-worn cameras, GPS tracking for high-speed pursuits, and drones for search and rescue.
These record-level investments are already delivering results. Westchester has seen an 18% drop in index crimes, and in Yonkers and Mount Vernon, shooting incidents with injury have fallen by 42%. Westchester is safer because of our state’s commitment to public safety.
I also joined Governor Hochul to announce that Westchester Medical Center will receive up to $100 million through New York’s new Safety Net Transformation Program, part of a $2.6 billion statewide effort to support hospitals that care for our most vulnerable residents.
This funding will help WMC expand behavioral health, maternal, and pediatric services, improve trauma care, and upgrade technology better to connect patients across Westchester and the Hudson Valley. At a time when federal leaders are threatening health care funding, New York is stepping up so that families can continue to access the high-quality care they deserve, close to home.
St. John’s Hospital, also in my district, will now become part of the renowned Montefiore Health System and will receive state funding through the Safety Net Transformation Program to continue delivering high-quality healthcare for many residents.
