MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC-PRIVATE INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT NYC’S SNAP RECIPIENTS AS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THREATENS TO CUT OFF BENEFITS FOR 1.8 MILLION NEW YORKERS

 

New York Community Trust, Partnership for New York City, and United Way of New York Are Connecting with Businesses and Philanthropists to Help Hungry New Yorkers and Food Distribution Centers Respond to Emergency

 

SNAP Costs $420 Million a Month to Support 1.8 Million New Yorkers, Including 540,000 Children, 540,000 Older Adults, and Other Vulnerable Populations

 

Over Course of Adams Administration, City Has Doubled Funding for Community Food Connection Program with More Than 47 Million Pounds of Food Distributed in FY 2025  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that a slate of public-private initiatives will help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients continue receiving a portion of their food benefits as the federal government shutdown enters into its second month and has halts SNAP benefits to some of the city’s most vulnerable New Yorkers. Effective today, nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP to put food on the table are no longer receiving the federally funded benefits to which they are entitled, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not issued any contingency funds to sustain this critical lifeline during the protracted shutdown. These initiatives build on the city’s $15 million additional investment announced last month and the more than $820 million budgeted in this fiscal year for food services programs. Last week, two judges ordered the federal government to use emergency funds to cover food stamp benefits for Americans in November. Until the federal government complies, the Adams administration is working with partners across the city to support New Yorkers and ensure they receive the aid they need. 

“When New Yorkers support one another in times of need, we become a better city. That’s why today, along with the New York Community Trust, the United Way, and the Partnership for New York City, we’re launching a slate of public-private initiatives to support SNAP recipients in our city who rely on these much-needed benefits to put food on their tables,” said Mayor Adams. “As a child, members of my church would drop off food for my siblings and me when times were hard; this type of generosity is what makes our city great. While we sadly can never provide as much support as our federal partners, our social services agencies are ready to help New Yorkers in need, and we're calling on business leaders, philanthropic partners, faith leaders, and community members to join us in this effort.”

“Local government and philanthropy cannot come close to replacing federally funded entitlement programs, but we can certainly help support the organizations that are collecting and distributing food during this emergency,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City. “We will encourage member companies and foundations to support the efforts of the mayor and governor to meet this crisis and to invest in the funds that New York Community Trust has designated.”

“New York Community Trust is proud to stand with our partners and the City to ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis,” said Amy Freitag, president and CEO, New York Community Trust. “Local nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of food insecurity are best positioned to swiftly mobilize financial resources to support those in need. This is what community looks like — neighbors helping neighbors.”

In a demonstration of their commitment to helping city government address the challenges of food insecurity during the federal government shutdown, private donors and companies are contributing to the launch of these initiatives under the auspices of the New York Community Trust, including:

The New York Community Trust’s Community Needs Fund

The Community Needs Fund addresses the urgent needs of neighbors throughout New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. When an individual makes a one-time or recurring gift to the fund, every dollar is directed by an expert grantmaking team to trusted nonprofits across the region.    

 

City Harvest

City Harvest rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to New Yorkers in need in response to the persistently high need for food assistance in New York City.

 

Food Bank for NYC

The Food Bank for NYC delivers food and resources across all five boroughs in collaboration with 800 community partners. 

 

Lemontree

For those in need of groceries or meals, Lemontree helps locate food pantries in their neighborhood. 

 

The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access

The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access is a network of nine of the largest food pantries and soup kitchens in New York City. It reduces costs through strategic purchasing, advocates for frontline providers, and provides support to smaller pantry partners. 

 

United Way of New York City’s Emergency Assistance & Community Needs Fund

The United Way of New York City’s Emergency Assistance & Community Needs Fund supports critical services that empower community-based organizations with resources while keeping the city afloat.  

 

Other donors are encouraged to join this effort to support nonprofits on the front lines of this crisis and help New Yorkers affected by the shutdown. A contribution will not affect any business dealings with the city or provide special access to city officials.

The pause in SNAP funding is devastating to the city’s overall safety net and also threatens New York’s local economy. The USDA estimates that every dollar of SNAP spending generates $1.54 back into the community, meaning that $1 billion in SNAP dollars spent increases the gross domestic product of the United States by $1.54 billion. 

The city is deploying a comprehensive response to ensure at-risk New Yorkers have access to food through a variety of alternative programs and services, managing a comprehensive resource list for impacted SNAP recipients, and conducting outreach efforts in close collaboration with the city’s robust network of community-based organizations and food providers.    

DEC and Land Trust Partners Announce Protection of More Than 1,200 Acres of Open Space

 

Land Acquisitions in Westchester, the Finger Lakes, and Western New York are Supported by New York’s Water Quality Improvement Project Program Grant

Source Water Protection Initiatives Bolster State’s Record Investments in Water Quality and Contributes to New York State’s 30x30 Initiative 

Photos of Protected Lands Available Here 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced more than 1,200 acres were permanently protected by five community-based partners through a successful State program to protect water quality. Multiple locally significant open space conservation actions in Westchester, the Finger Lakes, and Western New York were supported by DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program, which helps local land trusts acquire properties adjacent to drinking water sources, preventing stormwater runoff or erosion that could lead to water contamination or degradation. 

“Protecting drinking water at the source is one of DEC’s key priorities and we’re proud to partner with so many great organizations through the Water Quality Improvement Project program to conserve our lands that help filter and secure clean water resources,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “New York State’s continued investments from Westchester to the Finger Lakes to Buffalo demonstrate Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to safeguarding drinking water sources and open space that provide countless environmental, public health, and economic benefits.” 

Five land trusts received DEC grants, totaling more than $7.4 million, through the statewide competitive Water Quality Improvement Project Program. Together, a total of eight parcels were acquired to protect critically important drinking water sources with any remaining funds used to identify and acquire additional source water protection lands. 

In Erie County, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW), with assistance from Western New York Land Conservancy, acquired two properties totaling more than 44 acres. These parcels were identified as priority projects in the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan for drinking water protection. The two properties, referred to as Kaiser and Paul after their prior landowners, protect the Niagara River watershed in the town of Concord in perpetuity and have similar attributes that make them ideal for source water protection. The properties contain a mix of wetlands and forests, with Eighteen Mile Creek and a tributary running through them. The wetlands and forests will now be protected and continue to serve as natural buffers for the nearby drinking water supplies. 

BNW Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said, “Protecting our region’s Great Lakes and inland waterways starts with protecting critical headwater forests and green space at their source. We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Western New York Land Conservancy which allows each of our organizations to do what we do best—protect our water, protect our lands—and to support the shared vision of the Western New York Wildway that will benefit our entire region. Thank you to the DEC and their funding support from the WQIP program, and to the property owners who patiently and generously worked with our team for years to be able to conserve these lands and waters for future generations.” 

Also in Western New York, the Birdsall property preserves more than 200 acres and 500 feet of shoreline along Black Creek to protect important wetlands and surrounding forests in Allegany County’s Black Creek watershed. The Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC) acquired the Birdsall property to help protect the water quality of downstream public drinking water sources in the Genesee River Basin, which includes the village of Angelica’s public water supply. The waters of Black Creek provide drinking water for rural residents of the county. Black Creek flows to Angelica Creek and into the Genesee River, ultimately flowing all the way to Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes system. The property is an important piece of the Western New York Wildway and home to a wide variety of plants and animals. 

Westchester Land Trust President Kara Whelan said, “Westchester Land Trust and the town of Bedford have a long legacy of working together to protect our shared natural resources. We’re proud to uphold our community’s long-standing commitment to land conservation and we’re grateful to DEC’s WQIP program and the Bedford Open Space Acquisition Committee for championing this effort to safeguard a key piece of this watershed.” 

In the Finger Lakes region, the Nature Conservancy acquired a 99-acre parcel in the town of Locke to protect Owasco Lake, a drinking water source that serves more than 30,000 people. The land cover of the property is a mix of forest and wetlands, both great for filtering runoff and protection of the nearby drinking water source. The parcel includes headwater wetlands and streams. These upstream systems play a crucial role in sustaining entire ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. The wetlands onsite also serve as nature’s sponges, absorbing excess water during storms and slowly releasing it during dry periods, helping to stabilize flows and reduce the risk of both flooding and drought. 

Water Quality Improvement Project Program

New York is maximizing State resources to help contribute to the 30x30 Initiative, helping conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030. To date, DEC has preserved nearly five million acres of land through fee or conservation easements across all management categories. Land acquisition through the WQIP program is one valuable tool, serving as a competitive, reimbursement grant program that funds projects that directly improve water quality or habitat or protect a drinking water source. Last December, DEC awarded more than $222 million through the WQIP program to support land acquisition projects for drinking water protection like those announced today, municipal wastewater treatment upgrades, polluted runoff abatement and control, salt storage construction and road salt reduction practices, dam safety rehabilitation, repair and removal, aquatic connectivity restoration, marine district habitat restoration, and fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement. This grant is offered through the State’s Consolidated Funding Application. More information on this program is available on the DEC WQIP website.

Additional Efforts to Protect Drinking Water Resources

DEC and the State Department of Health, in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Markets and State, created the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) to assist municipalities with proactively protecting their drinking water sources. Communities work with a technical assistance provider, free of charge, to develop and initiate implementation of their drinking water source protection program. DWSP2 plans protect both public health and water quality of surface and groundwater across the state. To date, DWSP2 has served nearly 2.5 million water consumers and evaluated 136 source waters in New York State. If interested in becoming one of more than 100 municipalities participating in DWSP2, please visit the DWSP2 website to fill out an interest form and view example plans, factsheets, and past newsletters or contact source.water@dec.ny.gov for additional information.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York State’s nation-leading investments in water infrastructure include an additional $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-26 Enacted State Budget, for a total of $6 billion invested in water infrastructure since 2017. The funding is in addition to other substantial water quality investments, including the historic $425 million Environmental Protection Fund and $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. For more information and to sign up for grant updates, go to environmentalbondact.ny.gov.

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches for 2267 Andrews Avenue North in University Heights, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2267 Andrews Avenue North, a six-story residential building in University Heights, The Bronx. Designed by Node Architecture Engineering Consulting and developed by Erenik Nezaj, the structure yields 25 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are five units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $73,920 to $116,640.

Amenities include covered parking, bike storage lockers, and a shared laundry room. Residences are equipped with name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including electric stove, heat, and hot water.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $1,949 for incomes ranging from $73,920 to $103,680, and three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,055 for incomes ranging from $79,852 to $116,640.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than November 18, 2025.

DEC Announces 21st Annual Middle School Student Poster Contest Theme: "Water Connects Us All"

 

Poster Contest Submissions Accepted Through Jan. 2, 2025

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) announced the theme for the annual water conservation poster contest for middle school students: "Water Connects Us All.” The 2026 poster theme challenges middle school students to learn about their role in the watershed where they live and the positive actions they can take to conserve, protect, and celebrate our water resources, now and for future generations. 

“DEC is excited to launch the 21st water conservation poster contest which, for two decades, helps inspire New York's next generation of environmental stewards,” Commissioner Lefton said. “The poster contest theme ‘Water Connects Us All,’ encourages young people across New York State to become guardians of their watersheds and helps remind all New Yorkers of the daily actions each of us can take to protect and conserve our precious, connected water resources.”

"This poster contest is one of the things that makes NYWEA members proud of what we do,” NYWEA Executive Director Khris Dodson said. “I am even more proud of all of the watershed champions we now have because of the involvement of the students and teachers who have participated throughout the years." 

Since 2004, the annual poster contest encourages middle school students across New York State to learn about their role in protecting local watersheds and how to conserve and safeguard water resources. Previous themes include "Create a Watershed Superhero," "We All Live in a Watershed," "Conserve and Protect our Watersheds," and "The Importance of Wastewater Treatment." 

New York State teachers, schools, and clubs are advised to visit DEC's website for more information about participating in the 2025-26 school year contest. Poster entries will be accepted through Jan. 2, 2025. The 14 winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA's 2027 Annual Calendar. 

The poster contest helps raise awareness of the importance of natural resources and the DEC programs that help reduce water pollution and improve water quality. DEC is one of several New York State agencies funding projects to protect and restore water quality through statewide grant funding opportunities. 

To see if your area is covered by a Clean Water Plan, check out DECInfo Locator under the Environmental Monitoring layer category or visit DEC’s Clean Water Plan page. To learn more about positive actions New Yorkers can take to protect and conserve New York's waters visit DEC's Keep Water Clean and Water Quality Management webpages. 

2025 Winning Submissions Available Here

Alabama Men Convicted of Sex Trafficking Multiple Women and Girls

 

Defendants’ Extensive Sex Trafficking Enterprise Used Physical and Sexual Violence, Addictive Drugs, and Threats Against Victims’ Children to Coerce and Control Victims for Defendants’ Profit

Following a 4-day trial, a federal jury in the Middle District of Alabama convicted Kimani Jones, 32, also known as “Statik,” of Montgomery, Alabama, and Tremayne Lambert, 50, also known as “Bayrock,” of Montgomery, Alabama, on multiple charges of sex trafficking several victims.  Specifically, the jury found that Jones compelled seven victims, including two minors, to commit commercial sex acts between August 2016 and November 2020.  The jury also found that Jones transported and caused to be transported two victims, including one minor, across state lines for prostitution purposes.  The jury found Lambert guilty of sex trafficking one victim between August 2017 and February 2018 and two other victims between July 2019 and November 2020. Three additional co-defendants previously pleaded guilty for their respective roles in the sex trafficking enterprise.

“The defendants targeted vulnerable women and girls before using physical and sexual violence, along with threats of violence against them and others, to create a climate of fear that terrified the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and enforcing the federal human trafficking laws, and this prosecution is a testament to the courageous young women who detailed the coercive scheme these defendants perpetrated for years on scores of women and girls.”

“These defendants exploited the vulnerabilities of women and young girls for their own profit, showing complete disregard for human dignity,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson. “Every victim deserves justice, and we will continue our efforts to ensure that those who prey on others are held accountable for their crimes.”

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Jones organized and led an extensive commercial sex operation.  Jones rented hotel rooms where commercial sex acts occurred; provided food, clothing, and drugs to the victims; constructed advertisements for commercial sex that he then posted online to solicit customers; communicated with potential customers regarding the sex acts and prices involved for them; dictated in which cities the victims would live and engage in commercial sex acts, and set rules that he required the victims to follow, which included, for example, the minimal amount of money that they needed to earn per day.  Jones did not have a lawful job during the years he ran his sex trafficking operation but instead subsisted off the earnings of the victims.  Jones frequently flaunted the money that he made from the victims on social media.

The evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Jones used extensive violence against the victims and others in the victims’ presence.  For instance, Jones grabbed one victim, who was a minor at the time, by the throat and dragged her for moving too slowly.  Jones routinely struck women in the face, knocking out one victim’s teeth, breaking another’s jaw, and striking one so hard she urinated on herself.  Jones also sexually assaulted the victims to assert his dominance and control over them, and threatened to hurt them and, in some instances, their family members, telling one victim that her son would not be able to play sports if his legs were broken.  Jones, who has a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, also intimidated the victims by possessing, brandishing, and shooting firearms within the victims’ presence. He further manipulated the victims’ withdrawal from drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine, to compel their continued commercial sex acts for his financial benefit.

Co-defendant Lambert, the biological father of Jones and who also has a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, facilitated his son’s coercive scheme by serving as a monitor of the victims and rule enforcer.  Three other co-defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with this case.  Joseph Keon Bowe, 39, and Daryle Gardner, 32, each pleaded guilty to sex trafficking while Aleccia Scott, 29, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony.

Both defendants face a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison as well as mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

DHS-HSI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Ratz for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2025, running from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The ACFR is a detailed assessment of the City’s fiscal health and performance and includes the City’s government-wide financial statements. For the fourth year, the Comptroller’s Office made financial and statistical tables in the annual report  available for download on the Comptroller’s website at comptroller.nyc.gov.

“The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is one of the most important tools we have to promote transparency and accountability throughout government. Ensuring residents have access to a clear picture of the sound financial footing our City is on gives New Yorkers and external stakeholders the confidence that we are on the right track and projections for the years to come. I am thankful to the dedicated team of accounting professionals who have committed to producing this crucial resource each year,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

The ACFR serves as an essential resource for the public and policymakers, who rely on this transparency tool to understand how the City manages  fiscal resources, and to make sound decisions with the information provided.

For the 45th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the City of New York the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The full Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2025 is now available at https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/annual-comprehensive-financial-reports/.

Highlights from the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report include:

City of New York Finances

• The General Fund had revenues and other financing sources of $117.660 billion and expenditures and other financing uses of $117.690 billion, resulting in a deficit of $30.5 million, excluding the adjustment for restricted fund activities.
• Including the adjustment for restricted fund activities, the General Fund had an operating surplus of $5.0 million. This amount increased the General Fund’s committed balance (the Revenue Stabilization Fund) to $1.969 billion.
• General Fund revenues were $4.845 billion higher than in Fiscal Year 2024, a 4.3 percent increase. An increase of $6.139 billion in tax revenues and an increase of $791 million in State categorical grants drove a growth in revenues but was partially offset by a $2.153 billion decrease in Federal categorical aid following the end of Covid-19 aid.
• Actual Fiscal Year 2025 revenues were $5.991 billion more than projected in June 2024 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Budget, driven by a $3.268 billion variance in tax revenues. Overall, the City availed itself of $11.690 billion in additional resources that were primarily used to close the Fiscal Year 2026 budget gap ($3.787 billion), and to fund, among other expenses, greater than expected contractual services costs ($2.388 billion), higher than budgeted overtime costs ($1.148 billion), and greater than expected public assistance costs ($996 million).

New York City Public Pension Funds

The Comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management is the investment advisor to the City’s five public pension funds: New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York (TRS), New York City Police Pension Fund (Police), New York City Fire Pension Fund (Fire), and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS).

• As of June 30, 2025, the combined investments assets of the City’s five Systems totaled $ $297.607 billion, a $20.224 billion increase from the value as of the end of Fiscal Year 2024. During the fiscal year, the fair value of the assets ranged from a high of $294.607 billion (June 2025) to a low of $274.383 billion (June 2024).
• The time-weighted return (net of manager fees) of the aggregate portfolio was 10.3 percent in Fiscal Year 2025 and 10.0 percent in Fiscal Year 2024.
• In aggregate the City’s pension funds are 89.1 percent funded to meet their long-term obligations with a plan in place to achieve 100 percent funding by 2032.

Municipal Finance

The Comptroller’s Bureau of Public Finance works with the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget to issue bonds to finance the City’s extensive capital program and to refund outstanding bonds for savings.

• New York City continued to experience strong retail investor participation on transactions and increased institutional interest, which was supported by municipal bond fund inflows for most of the fiscal year.
• In Fiscal Year 2025, the General Obligation and Transitional Finance Authority credits issued a combined 10 new money transactions, totaling $15.500 billion, which raised nearly $16.250 billion of proceeds for the City’s capital needs.
• During Fiscal Year 2025, the City and TFA issued five refunding transactions that generated nearly $593 million of debt service savings over the life of the bonds.

Local Economic Conditions in Fiscal Year 2025

• New York City’s job market grew by 74,900 jobs from June 2024 to June 2025, reaching an all-time high. As of June 2025, jobs exceed pre-pandemic levels by 134,000 (2.8 percent).
• The Health Care and Social Assistance industry (part of the Education and Health Services sector) dominated private sector job growth, which added 67,800 jobs over the fiscal year, a 6.8 percent growth rate.
• While the City’s Information sector jobs remain below their high-water mark above 240,000 at the end of Fiscal Year 2022, employment in the industry rose in Fiscal Year 2025 to a level higher than prior to the pandemic.
• New York City’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent in June 2025, from 5.3 percent in the prior year. During this same period, the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent, thus halving the gap that NYC’s rate exceeded the national rate to 0.6 percent.
• New York City taxable sales grew by 3.2 percent in Fiscal Year 2025, near to that of the prior fiscal year, where taxable sales rose 3.4 percent.
• Median asking rent for publicly listed New York City residential properties grew by $200 (5.3 percent) to $4,000 through Fiscal Year 2025, amidst a 1.8 percent decline in the inventory available for rent.
• Manhattan office real estate vacancy rates fell by 1 percentage point in Fiscal Year 2025 to 22.6 percent, the first decline in the post-pandemic period. Inventory also declined from its record high in the prior year, as the pipeline of new office construction has been shrinking while demolitions and office-to-residential conversions begin to reduce the existing stock of office space.
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the New York City Metropolitan Area grew by an annual average of 3.9 percent in Fiscal Year 2025, an increase from the prior year’s growth rate of 3.4 percent.

Read the full report at https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/annual-comprehensive-financial-reports/. 

Governor Hochul Announces MTA to Purchase 378 Modern Subway Cars

R268 Cars Improve Service Reliability, Performance, Customer Experience

New Cars Will Support Continued Modernization of Signals to Communication-Based Train Control

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the MTA Board approved the purchase of 378 new R268 subway cars as part of the Authority’s efforts to modernize its rail fleet. These new R268 subway cars will run on the system’s ‘B’ division and will be designed to similar specs as the R211. The cars will be funded by the MTA’s historic $68 billion 2025-2029 Capital Plan, which was fully funded by Governor Hochul and the State Legislature in the FY26 Enacted Budget.

“I promised New Yorkers that we’d make generational investments in the transit system that is the lifeblood of our region, and we’re delivering by purchasing 378 state-of-the-art cars that will keep our city moving for decades to come,” Governor Hochul said. “These new subway cars will carry billions of riders over their lifetime, connecting the people and places we hold dear with the safety and reliability New Yorkers need and deserve.”

The new cars will also support the ongoing conversion of lines to modern Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling. These signal enhancements will allow the MTA to run more trains more frequently and more reliably, resulting in improved service and less crowded stations and trains. Additionally, CBTC will allow for more accurate real-time train arrival information.

Signal modernization projects are currently underway on the A, C, E, F and G lines. Funding from congestion pricing will support the modernization of signals on the Fulton St and Liberty Av Lines of the A and C trains in Brooklyn and Queens and the 6th Av Line of the B, D, F and M trains in Manhattan. Funding secured in the 2025-2029 Capital Plan will support further signal modernization efforts on the A and Rockway Shuttle, the J and Z trains from the Williamsburg Bridge to Broad St, and the N, Q, R, and W trains in Manhattan and Astoria.

The R268 cars will be delivered by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. beginning in Fall 2028. All cars will be delivered by 2030, allowing the MTA to retire the last of its R68 and R68A cars and transition the ‘B’ division to an all modern-technology fleet, with all cars capable of delivering CBTC service. The R268 cars are needed to replace New York City Transit’s aging R68 and R68A cars that currently service the B, D, N, Q, W and Franklin Av Shuttle and are nearing the end of their service life. The new cars will feature modern passenger amenities including pre-installed security cameras in every car, more accessible seating, brighter lights and clearer signage. In addition, these cars will provide dramatic upgrades in reliability and performance compared to the aging cars they are replacing. The cost of the contract is $1.507 billion.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES THE APPROVAL OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY REDEVELOPMENT

This week, The Bronx celebrated a historic win, after the New York City Council unanimously voted in favor of the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. The first phase of the project is expected to begin in 2026 and is scheduled for completion in 2030.

Senator Rivera is incredibly thankful to Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, community members, and the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition for working for years to ensure that what’s built in the Armory belongs to The Bronx and Bronxites.

The new developer has a mandate: real economic growth, sustainability, and community benefits. All community stakeholders need to make sure to hold them accountable because this is an opportunity of a lifetime for The Bronx and its success is now paramount.

Happy Halloween! Since last Saturday, Senator Rivera has made multiple stops in his district to celebrate the spookiest day of the year!

Last Saturday, he stopped by the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation Boo! on Mosholu, and today, he joined his neighbors at the 13th Annual Miss Abbie's Halloween Health Fair and Block Event and at the Bean-o-ween Harvest Fest. Have a very safe and candy filled afternoon!

This week, Senator Rivera held his second blood drive of the year at Fordham University. After seeing how successful the one held in June was, Senator Rivera and his team decided to partner up with the American Red Cross again to hold a second blood drive that will optimize the lives of many. Did you know that a single donation can save up to three lives? Find your nearest blood donation center here.

A big thank you to the American Red Cross, to Fordham University's President Tania Tetlow, and Vice President for External Affairs Travis Proulx, and to

Dr. Keisha Shay, Co-Director of the Bronx Research Institute for Community Solutions, for helping us make this event happen.

This week, Senator Rivera joined Bronx Community Board 6 at their October General Monthly Board meeting. During his visit, the Senator discussed community and legislative updates including his auto shop bill (S.2329), a bill championed by Community Board 6, that will allow community boards to weigh in on renewal of auto shop licenses to operate. Check this reel to learn more about it. 

In addition, Senator Rivera spoke once again about the 'Know Your Rights' cards distributed by his office. If you would like to place an order of these cards to distribute in the community, we encourage you to call our office, and we will walk you through the order process to get them shipped to you.

This week, Senator Rivera hosted a civics class to 12th graders at the Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy International High School, where they spent an hour engaged in the civic presentation prepared by him, followed by an engaging class discussion. There were approximately 20 seniors in the classroom asking thought provoking questions. In this presentation, Senator Rivera discussed state government, civic engagement, advocacy work, and provided an overview of the state budget process. Thank you all for welcoming us to your class!

This week, Senator Rivera called in to the Brian Lehrer Show to share his support for Overdose Prevention Centers. He carries the Safer Consumption Services Act, a bill to authorize and regulate them statewide in communities that need them, including The Bronx. Criminalization hasn't worked so Senator Rivera strongly believes that it is time to shift our approach and offer harm reduction services to drug users to get them off the streets and into caring healthcare settings. Listen to the interview here.

DON'T FORGET TO FALL BACK: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS SUNDAY!

This Thanksgiving holiday, the Senate is proud to sponsor a Thanksgiving Day Student Showcase across the state.

The year's theme is “What are you thankful for?” Students are invited to submit an original poem, short essay, or artwork that expresses what they are thankful for.

Showcase submissions must be uploaded electronically in JPEG or PDF format to be featured on Senator Rivera’s website. Participants will receive a personalized certificate from their Senator in recognition of their contribution.

The submission period will remain open until November 21, 2025, to ensure student work can be published online in time for Thanksgiving Day.