Statement from NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy on “Defund the Police” Radical Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin Refusing to Take Questions on Bail Reform

 

“Last week, Kathy Hochul played dumb and refused to comment about our state university inviting a convicted cop-killer to speak on campus, and this week, her radical hand-picked ‘defund the police’ lieutenant governor refuses to answer questions about bail reform. This administration is an utter embarrassment and not equipped to lead our state. They are hiding because they are all in with the radical left and trying to dodge their self-made crime crisis to get through the next election. Voters cannot place an ounce of trust in them to fix the mess they created, and that’s why we need to elect the Republican Zeldin-Esposito ticket to restore safety and sanity to New York.” 

Governor Hochul Announces New York as Top Community Solar Market in the United States

 

More Than One Gigawatt Installed – Enough to Serve More Than 200,000 Homes Across the State

Community Solar Delivers Guaranteed Savings to Customers and Renewable Energy Stabilizes New Yorkers' Long-Term Energy Costs

Supports State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Generate 70 Percent of State’s Electricity from Renewable Sources by 2030, and Governor’s Goal to Achieve 10 Gigawatts of Solar by 2030

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York has become the top community solar market in the United States with more than one gigawatt of community solar installed and operational – enough to serve 209,000 homes across the state. New York also has the largest pipeline in the nation with enough community solar under construction to serve an additional 401,000 homes, ensuring continued access to clean affordable solar for all New Yorkers for years to come. Today’s announcement accelerates progress towards meeting the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to generate 70 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and the governor’s goal to achieve 10 gigawatts of solar by 2030.

“Reaching this nation-leading milestone – with more than one gigawatt of community solar installed – is a testament to New York’s aggressive pursuit of clean-energy alternatives that will supercharge our economy and bring us one step closer to a carbon-neutral future,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is once again making clean energy history, and with many families facing the burden of rising energy costs, my administration remains committed to expanding access to solar energy, which will deliver savings and stabilize electricity bills while meeting our aggressive climate goals.”  

“Over one gigawatt of progress was made today, enough to power over 200,000 homes across New York State,” said Lieutenant Governor Benjamin. “When we think about the future of our state, we must think about both the economic prosperity we aim for, in addition to the welfare of our children. Now, when those future generations of New Yorkers look toward today, they'll know progress was made with them in mind. I'm proud to announce today that New York is the capital of solar power in the United States."

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin made this announcement in Schenectady County at a 7.5-megawatt community solar project that is paired with 10-megawatt hours of energy storage on the site of a former landfill. Located in the town of Glenville, the project was developed by DSD Renewables, who is also the owner and operator of the project. The site is part of a seven-project, 25-megawatt portfolio made possible through a collaboration with the Schenectady County Solar Energy Consortium that provides over $400,000 in energy savings annually to the municipalities and cities of Schenectady County and enables each of the municipalities to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Formed by the county in 2019, the consortium includes the County of Schenectady, City of Schenectady, Town of Duanesburg, Town Glenville, Town of Niskayuna, Town of Princetown, Town of Rotterdam, Village of Delanson, and Village of Scotia.  

Community solar enables access to solar for homeowners, renters, and business owners who may not have ideal conditions to directly install solar panels onsite. Through this arrangement, clean energy is still delivered by a customer’s regular electric providers, and the power produced from the solar array is fed directly back into the electric grid. As the electric grid is supplied with clean, renewable energy, subscribers receive a credit on their electric bills for their portion of the solar system’s output.

Community solar made up 70 percent of total solar installations across the state in 2021. In addition, New York’s distributed solar pipeline is now comprised of more than 708 of these projects totaling 2,300 megawatts, which once completed will help expand access to clean energy for all New Yorkers, including low-to-moderate income (LMI) households and those living in disadvantaged communities (DACs). This pipeline is complemented by 73 New York State-supported utility-scale solar projects under development throughout the state – together, these projects will deliver enough electricity to power more than 2.2 million homes once completed. The State’s success in deploying community solar is confirmed by the Solar Energy Industry Association and Wood Mackenzie Solar Market Insight 2021 Year in Review report, not only ranking New York as the all-time national leader ahead of second-place Minnesota, but also highlighting the Empire State as number one in 2021 for installations – more than double second-place state Massachusetts.

President and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Doreen M. Harris said, “New York is again setting an example for states across the country on how investing in community solar can bring clean energy into the homes of thousands of families while also moving the state closer to reaching our climate goals. With a massive pipeline still to build, we are charting a path for all New Yorkers to be able to sign up for renewable projects like these to lower their electricity costs and be part of our climate change solution.”

CEO of DSD Renewables Erik Schiemann said, “We are really proud of the Schenectady portfolio and the innovation we were able to bring to it, and the fact it’s in the backyard of our headquarters is a major highlight. However, it’s working with partners like NYSERDA and our neighbors and stakeholders in the communities in which we live and work across New York that motivates DSD to continue to do our part in accelerating the state’s Climate Act initiative.” 

The achievement of this milestone has been underpinned by robust support from NYSERDA’s NY-Sun program, the State’s signature $1.8 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar while driving costs down and making solar energy more accessible to homes, businesses, and communities. Currently, installed distributed solar projects, combined with the projects that are under development, bring the State to 95 percent of the current Climate Act goal to install six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025.

Since 2011, NY-Sun has helped:

• Support the installation of solar on the rooftop or property of 165,000 homes or businesses spanning every county in New York;
• Provide over $1.3 billion in incentives, leveraging $6.1 billion in private investment;
• Drive over 2,500 percent solar growth in the State;
• Facilitate the delivery of enough clean, renewable energy to power over 627,000 New York homes;
• Foster 12,000 jobs in the solar industry;
• Reduce the cost of solar 70 percent in 10 years; and
• Ensure over $200 million is dedicated to low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, affordable housing, and disadvantaged and environmental justice communities as part of its Solar Energy Equity Framework.

Last fall, Governor Hochul called for an increase to New York’s solar goal to ten gigawatts by 2030. To accomplish this goal, NYSERDA and the Department of Public Service filed a roadmap with the Public Service Commission to expand the state's successful NY-Sun initiative into one of the largest and most inclusive solar programs of its kind in the nation, including continuing incentives for an additional 2,270 megawatts of community solar projects, enough to power an additional nearly 400,000 homes. The roadmap also included ambitious targets for projects located in the downstate region and dedicated incentives for community solar projects service DACs and LMI subscribers, consistent with the Climate Act’s call for at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments be directed to disadvantaged communities. The roadmap also proposes prevailing wage requirements for solar projects greater than one megawatt within the NY-SUN program to promote the continued growth of high-quality solar jobs.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

Senator Rivera's Bill Requiring Leases for Commercial Tenants Passes the Senate Cities I Committee

 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after bill S4257B passed the New York State Senate Cities I Committee earlier today: 

"In New York City, commercial tenants, specifically small businesses, lack meaningful rights and protections when their lease expires. Too many of these businesses, including many in my district, are already rent-burdened and operating on a month-to-month basis without any written contract. My bill would protect these mom-and-pop shops by requiring property owners to provide their commercial tenants with a lease so that they can plan accordingly and help their business grow. When our small businesses thrive, our communities do so as well. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate Cities I Committee for having voted this bill out of committee and I look forward to voting in favor of my bill once it gets to the Senate floor."  

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NINE NEW MEMBERS TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced his appointment of nine new members to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), representing a broad cross-section of New York City and his administration’s commitment to closely collaborating with families, community members, and the business community on the decisions that most impact New York City schools. The PEP replaced the former Board of Education in 2002 and is part of the governance structure responsible for the city’s public schools.

The mayor today named Dr. Vasthi Acosta, Tom Allon, Rev. Dr. Kathlyn Barrett-Layne, Gregory Faulkner, Dr. Angela Green, Anthony Lopez, Alan Ong, Karina Taveras, and Gladys Ward as his appointees to the PEP. The newly appointed members bring with them a diverse range of experiences spanning school administration, education policy, the private sector, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge as parents. 

 

“Parent and community engagement is an essential component of my vision for education in New York City, and that is why I’m excited to begin what I know will be an effective and fruitful partnership with the panel members announced today,” said Mayor Adams. “I’ve said it over and over again: If we do not educate, we incarcerate, and so this panel will be vital in helping to ensure our young people have every tool at their disposal to succeed in life.”

 

“The best decisions are made when everyone is at the table, and this panel represents invaluable experience that will be critical as we reimagine our schools,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks. “I look forward to partnering with every new PEP member in the work of improving the educational outcomes of our youngest New Yorkers.”

 

The PEP is established pursuant to State Education Law, and it is responsible for approving standards, policies, and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction, as well as the Chancellor’s Regulations, significant changes in school utilization, budgetary items, and department contracts. Mayor Adams is responsible for nine appointments on the PEP.

 

About the New Panel Members:

 

Dr. Vasthi Acosta is the executive director of Amber Charter Schools. Dr. Acosta previously worked in the New York City Department of Education as an assistant principal, consultant, and teacher. She was a college professor at Hostos Community College in the Early Childhood Education department. Dr. Acosta received both a Doctor of Education (EdD) and Master of Art degrees from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She also holds a Master of Science degree from Bank Street College of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University.

 

Tom Allon is the publisher of City & State and has over three decades of experience in New York’s media world, both on the publishing and editorial side of the business. Allon has also been an educator, first as an English and journalism teacher at his alma mater, Stuyvesant High School, in the mid-1980s, and then, more recently, as an adjunct professor of journalism at Hunter College.

 

Rev. Dr. Kathlyn Barrett-Layne is a certified New York State and New York City school and district administrator, and has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and field supervisor in New York City public schools. As a fully ordained minister and senior pastor, Dr. Barrett-Layne spends her time inspiring people with her speaking and teaching in Bible studies, worship services, and leadership conferences. She is the 2003 recipient of the NAACP William A. Morris Humanitarian award, the 2013 Urban League Charles Langere Community Service Award, and the recipient of a number of community service awards, proclamations, and recognitions.

 

Gregory Faulkner has extensive experience working as an administrator, coordinator, and counselor, most recently serving as chief of staff for a member of the New York City Council. Prior to that, Faulkner served as a coordinator for the Center for Leadership at LaGuardia Community College. Faulkner received his B.A. in political science from Fordham University.

 

Dr. Angela Green has extensive experience in education, most recently serving as principal of Richard S. Grossley Middle School 8 in Jamaica, New York, before retiring in 2018. Dr. Green has also served as principal for multiple middle schools in the Bronx, as well as a teacher and assistant principal earlier in her career. Dr. Green has received numerous awards for her service and leadership, and most recently received her EdD in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College.

 

Anthony Lopez is an accomplished non-profit executive and passionate anti-racist education visionary, with extensive experience with community-based, regional, and national youth-serving organizations. Lopez currently serves as founder of NetWeavers Affinity Group and has previously served as CEO of the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School.

 

Alan Ong currently serves as president of Community Education Council D26 and maintains years of experience in multiple roles with Reuters America Inc., Thomson Reuters LLC, and Refinitiv. Ong is also a member of Queens Community Board 8, president of Union Turnpike Merchants Association, a vice president of Friends of Fresh Meadows Library, a member of the board of directors of the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association, and a member of the 107^th Precinct Community Council and Mid-Queens Community Council.

 

Karina Taveras is a project manager with a solid history of success in managing construction projects and commercial and residential leasing projects — currently serving as a related home expert for the Related Companies. Taveras is a product of public schools and a State University of New York alum, as well as the parent of a high school charter student.

 

Gladys Ward is a public school parent and a member of Community Education Council 24. Ward is an administrative professional with more than 25 years of experience supporting C-suite executives and senior-level management in highly dynamic non-profit, corporate, private, and municipal sectors. Ward currently serves as executive assistant to the Office of the Chief Executive Officer for MMBB Financial Services.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - 2022 Virtual Women in Business Brunch - Save The Date- March 25th

 

ZOOM EVENT The Women in Business brunch is one of our premier fundraising events that was created to salute and honor the commitment of exceptional Hispanic women. All honorees have proven themselves in their respective fields, worked diligently to climb up the corporate ladder with integrity, and have demonstrated social responsibility by giving back to their communities. Join us in Honoring Their Powerful Prism!

Register Today

Governor Hochul Warns Consumers About Scams and Cybersecurity Threats amid Russian Invasion of Ukraine

 

Donate to Verified and Reputable Organizations that Use Contributions to Provide Relief to Ukrainians in Need

State Agencies Issue Recommendations for Protecting and Securing Your Sensitive Information, Staying Alert Under Heightened Cyber Threats

 Governor Kathy Hochul today advised New Yorkers about charity scams and increased cybersecurity threats related to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The New York State Division of Consumer Protection has learned of fraudulent requests for charitable relief money to support victims of the war. Consumers are encouraged to carefully evaluate any request for money and verify charities prior to donating money or supplies. Governor Hochul also encourages New Yorkers to remain on guard when releasing sensitive information online amid an uptick in cybersecurity threats through the utilization of security recommendations from the Department of Taxation and Finance. This follows the Governor's formation of the Joint Security Operations Center, which serves as the center for joint local, state and federal cyber efforts.

"New York is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, and New Yorkers always lend a helping hand to take care of those in need," Governor Hochul said. "However, we must remain cautious of those who try to commit fraud, taking advantage of others' kindness. In your generosity to help our Ukrainian friends and family, remember if something seems suspicious, it likely is. Encourage your friends and family, especially elderly loved ones, to stay vigilant online."

Any time disasters occur, scam artists prey on the heartstrings of individuals looking to help. The invasion of Ukraine provides an opportunity for fraudsters to set up fake charities or pose as compelling war victims. Others design websites to mimic a legitimate charity's official site to steal unsuspecting donors' money and/or personal information. 

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "New Yorkers are known for being supportive and generous to those in need. As the war in the Ukraine rages on con artists will continue to appear using emotional ploys and fake solicitations in an attempt to bilk consumers. I encourage New Yorkers to protect their good intentions and always research a charity before donating to ensure your hard-earned dollars are getting to those who so desperately need your support." 

Office of Information Technology Services CIO Angelo 'Tony' Riddick said, "Countless New Yorkers with the best of intentions have donated to charities in support of the people of Ukraine, and they are making a difference. Unfortunately, this generosity also creates new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit. To protect yourself and to ensure your generous donation always gets in the hands of those who truly need the help, ITS asks New Yorkers to follow these best practices and to remain vigilant in light of recent online threats and cyber scams."

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Every New Yorker has a role to play when it comes to securing their personal information and protecting themselves from cyber threats. We know that in times of need, bad actors are out there looking to take advantage of those trying to help. If you are attempting to support the people of Ukraine through online or digital donations, remain vigilant and follow these best practices to ensure your donations are authentic and your information stays safe."

Scammers often make contact via social media, unsolicited emails, phone calls, or text messages. They may ask to send money through a payment app like Cash App, Venmo or Zelle, wire the money to an offshore bank account, or send prepaid gift cards. Many recent scams include requests for donations in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Scam artists are creative and will continue to think of new ways to defraud people, so consumers must always be vigilant. 

To prevent donation money from falling into the wrong hands, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection recommends taking the following precautions:

• Verify the request. Scammers are more frequently posing as friends, family or romantic interests on social media and requesting donations; it is easy to copy someone else's photo and biographical information and create a fake account online. If you receive an unsolicited request for donation relief online, even if it appears to be someone you know, connect with the person directly through a different communication link to verify the request. Do not click on any links or complete forms before verifying the source. If the request is coming from someone you only recently met online, it is most likely a scam and you should be especially wary.  
• Research the charity. Don't rely on a charity website alone. Search online before donating to any charity using the name of the group plus search terms like "review" and "scam". The Federal Trade Commission recommends checking with give.org, charitynavigator.org,charitywatch.org, or candid.org to see reports and ratings for charities. You can also check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for verification that a charity is registered. The Office of the Attorney General also recommends reviewing the Charities Registry for financial reports prior to donating to ensure the charity is fiscally sound. 
• Resist high-pressure tactics. While the situation is urgent, consumers should resist being pressured to donate immediately. Scammers often pressure you to donate immediately, causing you to overlook red flags in their story. Beware of direct e-mails from "victims" and solicitors who employ heart-wrenching stories, insisting that you donate immediately. Do not to give money over the phone to unsolicited telemarketers; instead, ask the caller to send written materials about the charity and where to donate, if you choose. 
• Keep personal information private. Never give your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number, or other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request. If donating online, ensure that your internet connection is secure before following through on donation requests. 
• Ask how your money will be spent. Consumers want to know that their money is going directly to the victims. A genuine charity should be able to let you know how much of your donation will go directly to the program as opposed to administrative fees.  

• Donate by check or credit card. Never give money using cash, gift cards, crypto currency, or any tender that would be difficult to trace. Give your contribution by check or credit card to ensure that you have a record of the donation. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individual. If you choose to donate via a charity's website, check that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection.  

If you suspect that you have encountered a fraudulent attempt to receive donations, you can file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/file-consumer-complaint. 

The Division's Consumer Assistance Hotline is open Monday to Friday, excluding State holidays, 8:30am to 4:30pm at 1-800-697-1220. You can find more information and tips by following the Division of Consumer Protection on social media on Twitter (@NYSConsumer) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nysconsumer). 

Amid heightened international concern about cybersecurity, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance also shares a series of critical tips to help taxpayers safeguard their private information during tax season and throughout the year:

Be wary of unsolicited emails and telephone calls asking for personal information. Never share personal information, such as your Social Security number, in response to an unsolicited email or telephone call. If the email or call claims to be from a company with which you do business, call it directly to confirm the contact is legitimate. Scammers often use scare tactics and threats related to tax debt to get you to share your personal and financial information.

Secure your mobile devices. Apply software updates that patch known vulnerabilities as soon as they become available. Use security features built into your device, such as a passcode, and use programs that encrypt data and remotely eliminate contents if the device is lost or stolen.

Be careful with Wi-Fi hotspots. Public wireless hotspots are not secure, which means that it's easy for cyber thieves to see what you are doing on your mobile device while you are connected. Limit what you do on public Wi-Fi and avoid logging into sensitive accounts.

Know your apps. Thoroughly review the details and specifications of an app before you download it. Review and understand the privacy policy of each mobile app. Be aware that the app may request access to your location and personal information.

Be cautious about the information you share on social media. Avoid posting your birthdate, telephone number, home address, or images that identify your job or hobbies. One reason: this type of information can be used to determine answers to security questions used to reset passwords, and makes you a target of fraudsters who seek to access your accounts and personal information.

Use strong passwords. Create different passwords for all your accounts. When it comes to passwords, try to use one with at least 14 characters, the current industry standard. Use a combination of letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. Consider passphrases in which you use the first letters of a memorable phrase to create a complex password that is difficult to guess. Regularly change your passwords/passphrases.

Vary your security questions. Don't use the same security questions on multiple accounts. Select security questions for which the answers cannot be guessed or found by searching social media or the internet.

Use two-step verification to access accounts. To enhance the security of online accounts, whenever possible require a password and an extra security code to verify your identity when you sign in.

Beware of phishing. Don't click on links, download files, or open attachments in emails from unknown senders. Open attachments only when you are expecting them and know what they contain, even if you know the sender.

It's important to regularly review the steps necessary to secure your sensitive information.

Report it. If you're a victim or believe you may be a victim of tax-related identity theft, alert us immediately. We will track your information to help keep it private and protected. Visit the Tax Department's Report fraud, scams, and identity theft webpage.

The Tax Department uses advanced encryption, firewalls, intrusion-detection systems, and other security measures to safeguard our systems and sensitive data, but taxpayers must also take a proactive approach to protecting themselves online.

DEC HOSTS 14TH ANNUAL NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT

 

407 Youth Archers Stay on Target in 2022 State Tournament

St. Joseph by the Sea Wins High School Division; Arkport Central School Wins Middle and Elementary Division

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently hosted the 14^th annual state archery tournament for New York schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®). Twenty-two schools from 16 counties participated in the 2022 tournament held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

“In-person again for the first time in three years, DEC hosted the annual National Archery in the Schools Tournament last week, giving participating students the opportunity to show off their archery skills and meet peers from across New York,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The National Archery in the Schools Program is a great way to engage young people in outdoor activities and inspire them to stick with the sport of archery for a lifetime.”

A total of 407 students competed from their home schools in one of three divisions: high school (grades 9-12); middle school (grades 6-8); and elementary school (grades 4-5). Anthony Marino from St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County had the top overall score and placed first among male archers in the High School Division with a score of 292 out of 300 possible points. Gabryelle Dezalia from Schroon Lake Central School in Essex County was the top overall female archer, earning first place in the High School Division with a score of 278. Both winners will receive a trophy and a New York Champion Genesis bow and bow case. Awards were also given in each of the three divisions for first through tenth places.

St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County was the first-place team in the High School Division for the 8^th year in a row. The first-place team in the Middle School and Elementary School Division was Arkport Central School in Steuben County. For the full list of tournament results, visit the tournament website.

NASP® is hosting the U.S. National Tournament in Louisville, KY, from May 12 through 14.

For more information on how schools can become involved in NASP in New York, visit DEC's website. To learn more about NASP, visit the NASP website.

For additional photos of the event, check out our Flickr album - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nysdec/albums/72177720297537062

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR 2-4 YEAR OLDS

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement regarding mask mandates in schools and daycare centers for 2- to 4-year-old children:

“I have always said that the science will guide us out of the pandemic, and because we have followed the data, we are winning the fight against COVID-19. New York City is currently in a low-risk environment.

 

“It’s now been two weeks since we removed the mask mandate for K-12 public school children, and our percent positivity in schools has, thankfully, remained low. Each day, we review the data, and if we continue to see low levels of risk, then, on Monday, April 4, we will make masks optional for 2-4 year old children in schools and daycare settings. This will allow us sufficient time to evaluate the numbers and make sound decisions for our youngest New Yorkers. We must get this right for the health of our kids, and I refuse to jeopardize their safety by rushing a decision.

 

“Our schools have been among the safest places for our children since the beginning of the pandemic, and we will only remove this requirement if the science says that it is safe to do so. I’ve said it before: I’m with New York City parents and New Yorkers can trust this administration to continue to make the proper public health decisions to keep our kids safe.

 

“We will additionally continue to make masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them.”