Governor Hochul Continues Tackling Youth Mental Health Crisis with Nation-Leading Efforts to Protect and Support Young People

 

Nation-Leading Legislation to Address Harmful Impacts of Social Media and Protect Kids Online Among Governor’s Top Priorities in Remaining Weeks of 2024 Legislative Session

Expanding School-Based Mental Health Clinics to Serve Thousands More Students Statewide

Establishing the Nation’s Largest Program of Youth Assertive Community Treatment Teams to Support Children and Families

Governor Kathy Hochul reinforced her commitment to protecting the mental health of kids and teenagers by making it a top priority to enact nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final weeks of the 2024 State Legislative Session. The Governor also highlighted significant progress in bringing mental health care and resources directly to more young people in their homes, schools and communities statewide.

“Each generation faces unique challenges – and our kids are facing a mental health crisis that requires us to confront the complexities of the digital age,” Governor Hochul said. “New York will continue leading the nation by combatting addictive social media algorithms, protecting kids online and ensuring they can get the support they need.”

The Governor was joined today by Jarret Hova, Senior Advisor and Policy Counsel to Attorney General James; Melinda Person, President of the New York State United Teachers; Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic to declare a strong commitment to advancing two pieces of legislation by the end of the Legislative Session in June. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act will restrict the addictive features of social media and the New York Child Data Protection Act will restrict the collection of minors’ personal data by online sites.

Attorney General James has been a key partner with the Governor in leading this effort, as the two stood together in October to introduce both bills alongside the sponsors.

Additionally, a young person spoke today to share her lived experience with these important issues. Mekka Vasquez, a high school student from Schenectady County, spoke in support of enacting the social media legislation as quickly as possible, and talked about the positive impacts of getting help from her district’s school-based mental health clinic satellite.

As part of her $1 billion investment in mental health statewide, Governor Hochul has also significantly expanded access to mental health care and resources for young people and their families. This focus on youth supports and services continued with additional investments secured by the Governor in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget.

Governor Hochul took steps in her Enacted Budget to expand mental health support for children across the state and ensure their voices are heard, making good on an agenda she unveiled in her State of the State address in January. The Governor announced $20 million in start-up funding for school-based mental health clinics and launched a rolling application, which will make it easier for interested schools to establish these satellites than through the state procurement process previously used. The announcement built on the $5.1 million awarded in November to support 137 new school-based clinics, including 82 at high needs schools, and bringing the total number of clinics to more than 1,200 statewide.

Last year, Governor Hochul also conducted a state-wide listening tour with young New Yorkers and hosted the first-ever state Summit on Youth Mental Health. Following the June 2023 summit, the State released a Youth Mental Health Listening Tour Report, which highlighted some of the key themes incorporated in the recommendations provided by more than 200 participants statewide.

Also, Governor Hochul is expanding the Youth ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) program to ensure resources and supports are available for more youth and families. These teams enable young people struggling with mental illness to stay in their homes and school communities, rather than receiving treatment in residential and inpatient settings. The FY 2025 Enacted Budget includes $9.6 million to add 12 new teams statewide.

DEC Announces Muskellunge Fishing Season Openers

 

Season Starts June 1 for Inland Waters and June 15 for Great Lakes Waters

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the fishing seasons for muskellunge begin on June 1 in inland waters and on June 15 in Great Lakes waters—Lake Erie, Upper Niagara River, Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, and tributaries to these waters.

“Muskies are a premier freshwater sportfish, and New York has some of the best trophy muskie fishing opportunities anywhere in the world,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “DEC’s fish and wildlife experts have done a remarkable job stewarding our fisheries and we encourage all anglers to take advantage of the high quality fishing opportunities across the state during this upcoming season.”

Often referred to as the "fish of 10,000 casts," muskellunge, or "muskies," are considered the ultimate trophy by anglers who pursue them. They are the top predator in waters they inhabit and are legendary in their ability to challenge and confound the angler. It is that challenge, combined with the potential for massive size (sometimes exceeding 50 inches and 50 pounds) and a well-earned reputation as a powerful fighter, that has inspired many anglers to forsake other fish in pursuit of the elusive muskie.

The St. Lawrence River, Upper Niagara River, and Chautauqua Lake are popular hotspots for trophy muskies. Other high-quality muskie waters are Waneta, Greenwood, Bear, and Cassadaga lakes, and the Susquehanna, Chenango, and Great Chazy rivers. In all, there are at least 13 lakes and 19 rivers that have muskellunge populations in New York State. Muskellunge are managed as a trophy fish in New York, reflected by minimum size regulations of 40 inches for inland waters and 54 inches for Great Lakes waters.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/.

For tips on how to catch muskies, see “Muskie 101” on the DEC website. For information on freshwater fishing regulations, visit DEC’s website. Information on fishing access is available through the DECinfo Locator and in the Tackle Box feature of the HuntFishNY app.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS TO NEW CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION

 

Appointments Include Former Elected Officials, Civic and Faith Leaders, Community Members

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of the full slate of 13 members of the Charter Revision Commission (CRC) announced yesterday. The CRC will be chaired by Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, and will be tasked with reviewing the charter and determining how to make New York City’s municipal government more responsive and transparent to the city’s residents. Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) New York State Conference, will serve as vice chair, and Kenny Ngai, a 20-year veteran of New York City law enforcement, will serve as secretary of the CRC.

The 13-member CRC will review the entire city charter to ensure that the city's municipal government works efficiently and remains responsive to all New Yorkers. More specifically, Mayor Adams has asked the CRC to focus on how the charter can contribute to public safety and provide opportunities for greater community input and transparency when legislation is proposed that would impact public safety. Additionally, Mayor Adams has asked the CRC to focus on how the charter can better promote fiscal responsibility and support working-class New Yorkers. The CRC will have the ability to evaluate processes for determining the financial impact of proposed legislation on current and future fiscal years, whether the financial impact is funded, and making that information more transparent to the public.

“Today marks a significant step forward towards enhancing transparency, responsiveness in city government, and further civic engagement as we appoint all 13 dedicated members of the Charter Revision Commission,” said Mayor Adams. “Their mission to explore innovative ways for the public to contribute to our city's governance will be critical in moving our city forward. Together, we will work to make New York City safer and more inclusive for all its residents.”

“I am honored and grateful to be named chair of the New York City Charter Revision Commission by Mayor Eric Adams,” said Carlo Scissura, chair, CRC. “As a lifelong New Yorker, it is truly remarkable to get to continue to serve the city I love. Having served on two previous charter commissions, I am excited to work with my fellow commissioners and to listen to the voices of New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”

“As someone who has spent their entire career working to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, I am honored to join the Charter Revision Commission to help identify ways that we can make city government more efficient and transparent,” said Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, vice chair, CRC. “Together, we will work to ensure that our city’s charter reflects the values and needs of every resident, especially those who too often find themselves without a seat at the table.”

“I am proud to accept this responsibility to serve on the Charter Revision Commission and look forward to working with my colleagues to identify ways that we can further the city’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and, above all, the safety of every New Yorker,” said Ken Ngai, secretary, CRC. “Our top priority is pursuing policies that create pathways to prosperity for all, and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders across the city to achieve that mission.”

The members of the CRC are:

Carlo Scissura (Chair)

Carlo Scissura has participated in two Charter Revision Commissions in the past. Scissura currently serves as president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, a position he has held since January 2017. Previously, Scissura was president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Brooklyn Chamber, Scissura served as both chief of staff and general counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for nearly five years.

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes (Vice Chair)

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes is president of the NAACP New York State Conference. She is also a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, a member of the NAACP Executive Committee, and an active member of various NAACP board sub-committees. Dr. Dukes is a woman of great strength and courage whose dedication to human rights and equality is exemplified by her role linking business, government, and social causes. Additionally, Dr. Dukes serves as the president of the Hazel N. Dukes & Associates Consultant Firm, specializing in the areas of public policy, health, and diversity.

Ken Ngai (Secretary)

Ken Ngai is a well-respected law enforcement professional with more than 20 years of experience protecting public safety in New York City. He has an extensive background in high-risk global financial crimes, undercover narcotics investigations, counter terrorist financing, and cyber environments. Ngai is an expert in identifying financial crime patterns, risk assessment, and enterprise risk management, as well as identifying trends and emerging threats to address and mitigate risks.

Kyle Bragg

Kyle Bragg served for four decades at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 32BJ, and retired as president after serving in that position since 2019. He now serves as a trustee of several 32BJ funds and as chair of the union’s social and economic justice committee. He is also a member of the executive board of the National African American Caucus of SEIU and serves on the international union’s first Racial Justice Task Force.

Reverend Herbert Daughtry, Sr.

Reverend Herbert Daughtry Sr. is a civil rights activist who hails from a family that has produced five generations of church leaders. He serves as the national presiding minister of the House of the Lord Churches, headquartered in Brooklyn. With more than 60 years of involvement in church and community service, Reverend Daughtry Sr. has earned the title of “The People’s Pastor.”

Ruben Díaz Jr.

Ruben Díaz. Jr. represented his hometown and the people of the Bronx for more than two decades, serving in the state Legislature for seven terms and serving as Bronx borough president for three terms. During his career in public service, Díaz Jr. championed a “New Bronx” agenda on economic development, housing, education, and public safety.

Lorraine Grillo

Lorraine Grillo began her public service career as a community relations specialist at the New York City School Construction Authority, serving in several senior roles in the authority before being appointed as CEO and president in 2014. Grillo served as senior advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio for COVID-19 recovery and as commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction from July 2018 until December 2021. She most recently served as first deputy mayor to Mayor Adams.

Christopher B. Lynch

Christopher B. Lynch is a lifelong public servant. For the last decade, he has worked as a substitute teacher with the New York City Department of Education. Previously, he served over 20 years with the New York City Department of Correction’s Health Management Division, retiring as a captain.

Stephanie McGraw

Stephanie McGraw is the founder and CEO of We All Really Matter (WARM), a domestic violence organization founded in 2010 out of her own vicious cycle of abuse. Through her journey, McGraw yearned to see service providers working through an inclusive, culturally competent lens. By establishing WARM, she became the first Black woman to create a domestic violence agency in Harlem. The organization now operates citywide and has expanded to provide economic empowerment services in Ghana and throughout Africa.

Max Rose

Max Rose is the vice chairman of The Soufan Group, a global intelligence and security consultancy, and chairman and CEO of Pontis Partners, a strategic advisory firm for private companies and nonprofits. A former congressman from New York’s 11^th District, Rose proudly represented Staten Island and South Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019-2020. Rose was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 2010 as an infantry officer and still serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as a major.

Jackie Rowe-Adams

Jackie Rowe-Adams worked tirelessly with youth and seniors as a music specialist with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation from 1986 until her retirement in late 2021. After losing two sons to gun violence, Rowe-Adams co-founded Harlem Mothers Stop Another Violent End, an organization instituted to end the dreaded scourge of violence in the Harlem community. She has received numerous awards and citations for her social activism, and her efforts have inspired love and respect from all who have had the opportunity to meet her. She is a life-long resident of Harlem.

Bishop Gerald G. Seabrooks

Bishop Gerald G. Seabrooks is the pastor of the Rehoboth Cathedral, a purpose-driven ministry located in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Bishop Seabrooks has actualized “the holistic approach” by servicing humanity both spiritually and socially. He is also currently employed as a licensed guidance counselor and pedagogue by the New York City Department of Education. He previously served as the executive vice president of a prestigious community multi-service corporation for over 25 years.

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz is the senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York. A much sought-after speaker and teacher with over three decades of experience in the rabbinate, Rabbi Steinmetz has mastered the art of presenting the timeless wisdom of ancient texts in a contemporary way.

Comptroller Lander Releases FY 2025 Executive Budget Analysis and Testifies to City Council

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released his office’s Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget Analysis and testified to the City Council on New York City’s economy and City finances.

Excerpts from Comptroller Lander’s testimony: 

“Stronger fiscal management is not contrary to deeper investment in programs that create opportunities and address severe affordability challenges facing working class New Yorkers. Quite the opposite, it helps us to preserve and target resources to where they are most needed, so that New York City can remain a place of opportunity for New Yorkers at all income levels, and the city can continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead.”

“Strategic investments in areas like special education services may cost money in the short run but will ultimately improve student outcomes and reduce a billion in annual spending on special education Carter cases.”

“Instead of cutting core services, the City’s fiscal health and the lives of New Yorkers would be better served by planning and implementing long-term efficiency measures in each financial plan that gradually build over time and reduce waste, not service delivery.”

The Comptroller’s Office’s FY 2025 Executive Budget Report is available here. 

The hearing can be viewed online here. 

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES’ VOTES TO ADVANCE ‘CITY OF YES FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY’ PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH, BOOST ECONOMY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and New York City Council Committee on Land Use both voted to approve Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” proposal to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, create thriving commercial corridors, and bolster New York City’s economic recovery:

“When we came into office two years ago, we had a mission: protect public safety, rebuild the economy, and make this city more livable for working-class New Yorkers. Today’s votes advancing the ‘City of Yes for Economic Opportunity’ out of the City Council’s Zoning and Land Use Committees are important steps towards achieving these goals. This historic initiative will remove outdated limitations on businesses and ensure that local retail streets and commercial centers across the city remain lively places that sustain our neighborhoods. I want to thank Speaker Adams and Chairs Riley and Salamanca for their dedication and collaborative effort to make thoughtful modifications that balance public input while maintaining the purpose and intent of the proposal. We urge the full City Council to adopt these regulations in the coming weeks.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This is not the complete package proposed by the City Planning Commission, and must be approved by a majority of the City Council members when they vote Thursday at the scheduled full City Council Stated Meeting. 

New Council Economic & Tax Revenue Forecast Projects $1.1 Billion More in Revenue than Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025

 

Projections remain consistent in outpacing OMB revenue estimates and continued forecast of moderate tax and job growth, providing opportunity to restore cuts to save essential services

The New York City Council released its May 2024 Economic and Tax Revenue Forecast with consistent revenue projections that continue to outpace those of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by $1.1 billion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. This difference remains even after OMB adjusted its revenues by $2.3 billion for FY24 and FY25 in April’s Executive Budget. The $1.1 billion more in expected revenue is in addition to any other available funds for the city budget, like the $2.25 billion in potential underspending over the current and next fiscal year that the Council identified in its Preliminary Budget Response. The updated forecast is overall virtually unchanged from the Council’s previous version and provides clarity that the City can restore cuts to protect essential services and invest in the needs of New Yorkers. Its release follows weeks of Council hearings on the Executive Budget that conclude on Wednesday, May 22.

The Council’s full report is available here.

“The Council’s tax and revenue projections remain consistent, and despite OMB’s adjustment in the Executive Plan, we’re still expecting an estimated $1.1 billion more in revenue that can be used to restore cuts and invest in New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams and Finance Committee Chair Justin Brannan. “Our city economy is resilient, and we have the resources to protect essential services that support working families and keep New Yorkers safe and healthy. New Yorkers are counting on us to get this right. Early childhood education, our public-school students, and CUNY must be priorities for us to build a stronger city. Cultural institutions, libraries, and parks are the foundation of our neighborhoods. And housing, mental health care, and programs that reduce recidivism and advance community safety are how we make New York City healthier and safer. As the budget process continues, we remain focused on securing investments in these areas as priorities for our city in the budget and look forward to working with the Administration to achieve the right outcomes.”

Similar to the beginning of the year, the national economy remains resilient despite headwinds from above-target inflation and elevated interest rates, which are exerting pressure on economic growth. Business activity, consumer sentiment, and labor markets all remain strong, but are showing signs of deceleration. Despite recent stubborn inflation, the Council projects that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will still gradually return to a declining path, allowing the Federal Reserve to begin lowering policy rates by the end of the year. The recently released April CPI report supports this forecast, reflecting a slight moderation from Q1 inflation readings.

The City’s economy is following a similar pattern, remaining robust with signs of cooling down due to softening of total employment growth. Strong job growth in certain sectors but weakness in others has resulted in an uneven recovery and slowing average wage growth, with year-over-year job creation as of March concentrated in the health care and social services sectors.  Job growth in other sectors is expected to return in 2025 as inflation expectations and interest rates are anticipated to be lowered.

New York City’s real estate market continues to face challenges, with slightly higher office vacancies compared to the Council’s February estimate. Also, home sales are expected to be slightly stronger than the previous forecast but remain below pre-COVID levels.

The Council’s average projected annual tax revenue growth rate through the plan years is 3.4 percent, which remains above OMB’s projections. However, it still represents a slowdown in collections compared to the 5.5 percent growth experienced by the City from FY10 through FY19.

The three main changes in the Council tax forecast, compared to its February projections, are revisions in personal income tax, business taxes and transfer taxes. The Council revised its personal income tax projections to account for uncertainty around collections. The City saw greater-than-anticipated refunds in April, which is explained partly by the State’s faster processing of refunds. Additionally, irregular collection patterns for the City’s relatively new pass-through entity tax (PTET) have made it more difficult to account for non-wage income collected. While the forecast accounts for this uncertainty, it also means there is a positive risk that collections can come in stronger than projected. Meanwhile, business tax revenues have outperformed expectations, though they are still expected to grow at a slower pace than the long run average throughout the forecast. Despite an anticipated drop in transfer taxes due to high mortgage rates, recent upward revisions in quarterly home sales indicate that the market is still weathering current conditions better than the Council expected.

The release of the Council’s forecast follows the projections of a city budget watchdog. The Independent Budget Office recently released its own analysis, projecting increased surpluses for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 and reduced fiscal pressures from diminished outyear gaps.

Ringleader and Company Insider Plead Guilty to Defrauding Biochemical Company and Diverting Products to China Using Falsified Export Documents

 

Through Company’s Prompt Disclosure of Misconduct and Extraordinary Cooperation, National Security Division Announces First Declination to Prosecute Company Under Enforcement Policy

The Justice Department announced that Pen Yu, also known as Ben Yu, 51, of Gibsonton, Florida, and Gregory Muñoz, 45, of Minneola, Florida, have each pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy for their roles in a scheme to fraudulently procure deeply discounted products from Massachusetts biochemical company Sigma-Aldrich Inc., doing business as MilliporeSigma, and export them to China using falsified export documents.

In addition, the Justice Department announced that it has declined the prosecution of MilliporeSigma after considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations and the National Security Division Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations (NSD Enforcement Policy). The NSD Enforcement Policy creates a presumption that companies that (1) voluntarily self-disclose to NSD potentially criminal violations arising out of or relating to the enforcement of export control or sanctions laws, (2) fully cooperate, and (3) timely and appropriately remediate will generally receive a non-prosecution agreement, unless aggravating factors are present. This is the first time that NSD has declined the prosecution of a company under the NSD Enforcement Policy.

“When a business uncovers criminal wrongdoing within its ranks, the company is far better off reporting the violation than waiting for the Justice Department to discover it,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “That’s exactly what MilliporeSigma did in the first-ever corporate declination under our National Security Division’s voluntary self-disclosure program. Because of MilliporeSigma’s timely disclosure and exceptional cooperation, a rogue company insider and his accomplice pled guilty to fraudulently diverting millions of dollars worth of biochemicals to China, and the company will not be prosecuted. As national security and corporate crime increasingly intersect, companies that step up and own up under the Department’s voluntary self-disclosure programs can help themselves and our nation.”

“When MilliporeSigma found evidence that one of its employees was diverting biochemical products to an unauthorized purchaser in China, they did not sweep the misconduct under the rug. Instead, the company made the early decision to cooperate with the Justice Department, resulting in the convictions of responsible individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reflects the value for companies like MilliporeSigma to quickly self-disclose potential criminal activity and reaffirms our commitment to work in partnership with the private sector to root out conduct that violates the law and jeopardizes our national security.”

“When company and university insiders abuse the trust that their institutions place in them, they will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Here, Millipore Sigma’s prompt disclosures led to the uncovering of this multimillion- dollar criminal enterprise, and enabled law enforcement to disrupt the scheme and stop further illegal exports to China. These disclosures led to the seizure of multiple illegal shipments to China and the conviction of two of the most culpable participants in the scheme. Millipore Sigma’s prompt and full cooperation was essential in obtaining this result.”

“Faking an affiliation with an academic research lab to obtain controlled biochemical materials, and then sending those materials to China, is not only wrong, but illegal,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “Today’s announcement provides yet another fact pattern for universities to beware of — the misuse of academic institutions by outsiders who seek to obscure the actual customer of controlled items.”  

According to court documents, beginning in at least July 2016 and continuing through at least May 2023, Yu ordered biochemical products from MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of multinational science and technology company Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, with help from Muñoz, a MilliporeSigma salesperson, by falsely representing that Yu was affiliated with a biology research lab at a large Florida university. This fictitious affiliation led MilliporeSigma to provide Yu over $4.9 million worth of discounts and other benefits, such as free overnight shipping, not available to the public. Yu gave Muñoz thousands of dollars in gift cards for facilitating these fraudulent discounted orders. When the products arrived at the university stockroom, a stockroom employee diverted the products to Yu, who repackaged them and shipped them to China. To avoid scrutiny, Yu made false statements about the value and contents of these shipments in export documents.

This scheme continued until MilliporeSigma compliance personnel identified certain orders as suspicious, prompting the company to retain outside counsel who voluntarily disclosed the misconduct to the Department of Justice’s National Security Division only a week later. MilliporeSigma made the disclosure well before its counsel had completed their investigation and understood the full nature and extent of the scheme. MilliporeSigma offered exceptional cooperation to the prosecution team, including by proactively identifying and producing documents to the Department that established probable cause to search residences and electronic devices of culpable individuals. MilliporeSigma’s cooperation allowed investigators to quickly identify the individuals responsible for the scheme, including Yu and Muñoz, and secure their felony guilty pleas. As a result of MilliporeSigma’s timely self-disclosure and extraordinary cooperation, MilliporeSigma will not be charged, despite the criminal wrongdoing committed by Muñoz, a MilliporeSigma employee.

The Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security; and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Lower Hudson Valley Region

 

In Effect for Wednesday, May 22, 2024

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Lower Hudson Valley region for Wednesday, May 22.

 

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone

 

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

 

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

 

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is available on DEC’s website https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/air-quality-index-forecast-current-observations or by PDF download https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/aqiprint.pdf.

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

The Wednesday, May 22, Air Quality Health Advisory region consists of: Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties.