Governor Hochul and Congressman Tonko Announce More Than $270 Million in Funding to Build and Preserve More Than 1,800 Affordable Homes Across New York

Funding Will Support Construction and Preservation of 28 Affordable Housing Developments Statewide that Provide Supportive Services and Further Local Economic Development Initiatives

Governor Supports Passing Legislation in Washington To Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit To Create More Housing  

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Commitment To Address New York’s Housing Crisis by Increasing the Housing Supply; 5-Year Plan to Build or Preserve 100,000 Affordable Units Statewide Continues Ahead of Schedule

Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Paul Tonko today announced more than $270 million has been awarded through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and subsidies to create or preserve more than 1,800 affordable, supportive, and sustainable homes in 28 separate developments across New York State. The awarded projects will expand or preserve the housing supply in every region, upgrade and modernize public housing, further local economic development initiatives, and include energy efficient features that advance the State's climate goals. The funding is part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“Solving New York’s housing crisis comes down to one simple strategy: building more housing,” Governor Hochul said. “These critical federal resources make it possible for us to provide New Yorkers with new opportunities to access affordable, modern, sustainable homes that also provide access to childcare, supportive services, and the amenities that individuals and families need to thrive.”

The federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is a powerful tool to incentivize the creation of housing and address a crisis that impacts people of all ages and phases of life throughout New York. That’s why Governor Hochul supports legislation in Washington to expand the program and make it even more effective. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act will potentially increase allocations to finance the development of two million new affordable units nationally over ten years and more than 100,000 units in New York State.

Financing for the projects is allocated by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which provided $61 million in Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits and over $200 million in subsidy to support the 28 projects. When coupled with additional private funding and resources, the projects receiving funding are expected to create over $1 billion in total investment.

All awarded projects meet HCR’s sustainability standards, which promote healthier living environments and support the goals set by the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Several awarded projects will receive funding from the Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership with HCR and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, to achieve even higher levels of sustainability and carbon reduction.

In addition, each of the awarded developments offer free broadband internet services to residents, building on the Governor’s ConnectALL initiative, which has made historic investments to deliver high-speed internet in underserved communities and close the digital divide for lower-income New Yorkers. 

Awarded projects include:

Capital Region

• $9.5 million for Mill Street Lofts in the city of Hudson, Columbia County:A newly constructed 70-unit mixed-income infill development on city-owned land.

Central NY

• $10.1 million for Van Buren Apartments in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga County: A newly constructed, 70-unit affordable housing development in a well-resourced area that includes 14 apartments with supportive services for homeless veterans.
• $6.5 million for La Madre Landing in the village of Baldwinsville, Onondaga County: A newly constructed 52-unit affordable development, including eight units with supportive services for vulnerable populations.
• $7.8 million for River Street Senior Apartments in the city of Cortland, Cortland County: A newly constructed 53-unit development for seniors aged 62 and older, includes 12 units with supportive services for residents struggling with homelessness.

Finger Lakes

• $2.6 million for the Creekside Clearing Redevelopment in the village of Livonia, Livingston County: The redevelopment and expansion of an existing HCR-regulated 32-unit property originally constructed in 2005. An additional 16 units will be created, for a total of 48 units. Includes funding from HCR and NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
• $6.2 million for Fine Arts Building Lofts in the city of Rochester, Monroe County: Adaptive reuse of the former Hotel Cadillac to create a 42-unit mixed-income, mixed-use and supportive housing project. Thirteen units will include supportive services for homeless young adults. The development is receiving funding from HCR and NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
• $10.1 million for Fernwood Avenue Apartments in the city of Rochester, Monroe County: A newly constructed 65-unit affordable and supportive housing development that includes 17 units with supportive services for vulnerable populations. The development will include a new, 8,000 square foot branch of the Rochester Public Library.

Long Island

• $8.9 million for Port Jefferson Commons in the village of Port Jefferson, Suffolk County: A 53-unit transit-oriented and mixed-use workforce housing development located one block from the Long Island Rail Road's Port Jefferson station. The development, identified as a priority project by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, includes supportive units and storefront commercial space.
• $15 million for One Carleton Green in the hamlet of Central Islip, Suffolk County: A 96-unit mixed-use and mixed-income housing development that features 15 units with supportive services for vulnerable residents, as well as storefront commercial space.

Mid-Hudson

• $8.1 million for Franklin Towers in the village of Tarrytown, Westchester County: Preservation of the 81-unit Franklin Towers aging public housing development. The project is located within a half mile of the Metro North train station and Westchester County Bee-line bus stops and is receiving funding from HCR and NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
• $12.1 million for 30 West in the town of Haverstraw, Rockland County: A newly constructed 81-unit affordable and supportive housing development being constructed on an underutilized municipal parking lot. Includes 20 units with supportive services for homeless households.
• $18.1 million for Waltemade Residence in the city of Mount Vernon, Westchester County: Adaptive reuse of a vacant nursing facility to create a 102-unit development for seniors aged 62 and older. Includes 30 units with supportive services for seniors experiencing homelessness.

Mohawk Valley

• $11.4 million for Utica AMP 1 in the city of Utica, Oneida County: Two buildings within the ND Peters development providing 28 units built in the 1960s, and a nearby storage building, will be demolished to make way for a new 71-unit three-story affordable multi-family building.
• $12.1 million for Deerfield Apartments in the town of Deerfield, Oneida County: A newly constructed 65-unit mixed-use workforce housing development in a well-resourced area. Includes commercial space intended for a childcare facility.
• $9 million for Lofts At Littauer Park in the city of Gloversville, Fulton County: New construction of a 73-unit, mixed-use development. Includes seven units reserved for veterans experiencing homelessness.

New York City

• $13.9 million for Van Cortlandt Ave Apartments in the Bronx: New construction of a 12-story, 78-unit affordable and supportive housing development. Includes 47 units with supportive services for homeless and vulnerable populations.
• $15.4 million for Hillside Avenue Apartments in Queens: A newly constructed 92-unit mixed-use, affordable and supportive housing development with a New York State Office of Mental Health-licensed outpatient mental health clinic. Includes 56 units with supportive services for homeless and vulnerable populations.
• $9.9 million for Bartlett Crossing in Brooklyn: New construction of a 78-unit, two-building, mixed-use development on two vacant lots owned by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Includes 1,200 square feet of retail space.
• $14.6 million for HOGAR Eagle Gardens in the Bronx: New construction of an 83-unit affordable and supportive housing development in the Morrisania neighborhood. Includes 50 units with subsidies for individuals experiencing homelessness.

North Country

• $5 million for Lewis and Lowville Apartments in the village of Lowville, Lewis County: Preservation and moderate rehabilitation of four occupied, adjacent apartment buildings that collectively include 40 affordable units. Includes funding from HCR and NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
• $8.6 million for General Martin Apartments in the town of Martinsburg, Lewis County: Adaptive reuse of a former elementary school and new construction of an adjacent building to create 63 affordable apartments.

Southern Tier

• $7.1 million for Meadow on Seneca in the city of Ithaca, Tompkins County: New construction of a 70-unit mixed-income development that includes 35 units with supportive services for homeless and vulnerable populations.
• $6.3 million for the Gateway Revitalization Project in the city of Binghamton, Broome County: Substantial rehabilitation of 15 units in seven existing buildings and new construction of two mixed-use buildings containing 23 residential units and two commercial spaces. The development is receiving funding from HCR and NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
• $3.7 million for Freese Road Apartments in the town of Dryden, Tompkins County: New construction of a 53-unit, mixed-income affordable and supportive development on vacant land. Freese Road will be close to a major bus line with easy access to downtown Ithaca and amenities.

Western NY

• $11.1 million for Homesteads at Dunkirk Landing in the city of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County: Demolition of two blighted commercial buildings and new construction of a 78-unit mixed-income, mixed-use and supportive development. Includes 16 units with supportive services for veterans with disabilities and commercial space intended for a childcare facility.
• $6.2 million for St. Paul's Apartments II in the town of Evans, Erie County: New construction of a 53-unit development for seniors aged 55 and older on vacant land, including 16 units with supportive services.
• $7.3 million for Hillview Commons in the city of Tonawanda, Erie County: A newly constructed 52-unit development for seniors aged 55 and older that will replace the obsolete Jacob J. Guzzetta Senior Citizens Buildings.
• $10.9 million for School 44 on Broadway in the city of Buffalo, Erie County: Preservation and adaptive reuse of a vacant, historic public school to create 65 units, as well as the development of 12, three-bedroom townhomes, for a total of 77 new affordable units. Includes 39 apartments reserved for homeless and vulnerable families.

Attorney General James Takes Action to Protect New Yorkers from Robocalls

AG James Joins Amicus Brief Supporting FCC Rule to Stop Telemarketers from Obtaining Consumers’ Phone Numbers without Their Consent

New York Attorney General Letitia James took action to protect New Yorkers from unwanted robocalls. Together with a bipartisan coalition of 27 other attorneys general, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief to support and defend a rule by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that stops telemarketers from obtaining and selling consumers’ phone numbers to robocallers without their consent. The coalition argues in their brief filed in Insurance Marketing Coalition v. Federal Communications Commission that the FCC was acting within its statutory authority when it promulgated the rule, and that the rule would help reduce the volume of robocalls made to consumers nationwide.

“New Yorkers and consumers nationwide are sick and tired of receiving unwanted robocalls,” said Attorney General James. “Robocalls are not only annoying but have also led to serious scams that robbed people of millions of dollars. The FCC’s rule would help stop some of these unwanted calls and could protect consumers from fraud. My office is joining attorneys general across the country to defend this rule and help protect consumers.”

Robocalls have been rampant and have led to scams and fraud. In 2023 alone, consumers reported losing more than $1.2 billion to scams perpetrated through robocalls and text messages, according to data collected by the Federal Trade Commission. To address this issue, the FCC issued a rule under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that would require lead generators, companies that collect consumers’ information and sell it to third-party companies, to obtain consumers’ consent before sharing their phone number with third-party companies. 

In their brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the coalition argues that the FCC’s rule helps bolster efforts by states to stop robocalls. The coalition writes that the rule is effective by targeting robocalls at one of their sources: the point where consumer contact information is first obtained. In addition, they argue that the FCC’s rule protects consumers by providing them with clear and conspicuous disclosures when consenting to sharing their contact information with a seller, such as a website that they use to search for products or receive a quote on a service. 

Joining Attorney General James in filing this brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

For Immediate Release: State Labor Department Releases Preliminary January 2025 Area Unemployment Rates

 

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for January 2025. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 4.4% in January 2025.

Local Area Unemployment Rates* (%)
January 2024 and January 2025
(Not seasonally adjusted)

The data in the preceding table are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g., holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, for example, January 2024 versus January 2025. Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://dol.ny.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence. Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties and municipalities with population of at least 25,000. Unemployment Rates by County, New York State, January 2025 Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, samples establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available. The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

MAYOR ADAMS, DC 37 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GARRIDO ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF REMOTE WORK PILOT FOR CITY EMPLOYEES

 

Extension of Pilot Will Continue to Allow Eligible City Employees to Work Remotely Up to Two Days Per Week 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and District Council 37 (DC 37) Executive Director Henry Garrido today announced a one-year extension of the remote work pilot program previously agreed to by the city and DC 37 on May 31, 2023 and started on June 1, 2023. The agreement continues to allow eligible city employees to work remotely for up to two days per week — providing greater flexibility for city workers while ensuring the administration continues to achieve its mission of making New York City the best place to raise a family.

“As we continue to settle into our post-pandemic reality, we must ensure that we continue to make city employment an attractive and accessible option for the working-class New Yorkers who serve and run this city every day,” said Mayor Adams. “I have always said that any flexible work programs the city offers must acknowledge the reality that there are some roles that cannot be performed remotely. The extension of this successful pilot allows the continuation of flexibility for our workforce and the protection of the core services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I thank DC 37 for their partnership through this process and the work their members do to keep our city moving.”

“We heard DC 37 workers loud and clear over the course of our latest round of contract negotiations and agreed to establish a flexible work committee as part of the agreement,” said New York City Office of Labor Relations Commissioner Renee Campion. “This pilot program we are extending today is a testament to our continued collaboration with DC 37, and we want to thank Henry Garrido and his team for their partnership.” 

“Our members have continued carrying out their service to the public with efficiency while benefitting from the flexibility of hybrid and compressed work,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “It’s clear that alternative work schedules help with issues of retention and recruitment and allow the City of New York to be a workplace of choice. We thank the Adams administration for agreeing to this extension and appreciate the flexible work committee for their time and ongoing input.”

Under the 2023 contract agreement between the city and DC 37, the parties agreed to establish a Work Flexibility Committee to discuss work flexibility and other measures to enhance employee morale, recruitment, and retention. In addition to the remote work pilot, in 2024 the parties also agreed to a compressed work pilot for employees who are not able to work remotely and are able to work a compressed schedule without affecting city services.  

The city will continue to work closely with DC 37 to monitor the ongoing progress of the pilot. 

The program extension will run through May 31, 2026.

Justice Department Announces Launch of Joint Task Force October 7

 

The Justice Department announced the leadership team and membership of Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7), an initiative that will seek justice for the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel and address the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and its affiliates.

“The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win—and there will be consequences,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “As Attorney General, I have had the solemn honor of meeting with several families of U.S. citizens whose loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas on that dark day. This task force will strengthen the Department’s resolve to achieve justice for these families and their loved ones as we continue to fight antisemitism in all its forms.”

The Attorney General established JTF 10-7 on her first day in office, demonstrating the high priority the Justice Department is placing on honoring the memories of the approximately 1,200 people murdered by Hamas in the attack, including 47 U.S. citizens, and supporting the approximately 250 additional people that Hamas abducted, including 8 U.S. citizens.

JTF 10-7 will focus on targeting, charging, and securing for prosecution in the United States the direct perpetrators of the October 7 attack — the terrorists on the ground that day who murdered and kidnapped innocent civilians. JTF 10-7 will also assume responsibility for the pending charges against Hamas leadership relating to the October 7 attack and other acts of terrorism, and to bring those criminals to the United States to face justice for their reprehensible role in these atrocities. Finally, JTF 10-7 will investigate acts of terrorism and civil rights violations by individuals and entities providing support and financing to Hamas, related Iran proxies, and their affiliates, as well as acts of antisemitism by these groups.

“The victims of Hamas’s decades-long violent campaign of terrorism against Israel will always have the support of the U.S. government, and the Department will no longer permit illegal support of Hamas on our campuses and elsewhere in the homeland,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Antisemitic acts of terrorism – whether here or abroad – will never go unpunished. This task force represents our unyielding commitment to those who have suffered at the hands of these brutal terrorists.”

“The FBI is committed to establishing the Joint Task Force October 7 to continue the FBI’s investigative and victim assistance efforts related to the horrific acts of terror committed by Hamas,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Working with our federal and international partners, this task force is a collaborative initiative between agencies, and together we will work to accomplish our vital counterterrorism mission.”

JTF 10-7 will be led by a senior counterterrorism prosecutor from the Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD), a senior FBI Special Agent as the Task Force Commander, and an FBI Intelligence Analyst as Deputy Task Force Commander, all under the supervision of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. JTF 10-7 will also include trial attorneys from NSD, the Civil Rights Division, the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and other detailees, with additional dedicated support from the Department’s Office of International Affairs.

JTF 10-7 will be supported by dedicated FBI agents, analysts, forensic accountants, data scientists, and linguists who are mostly co-located in Virginia. These professionals will contribute to JTF 10‑7’s expertise in investigating and prosecuting domestic and extraterritorial terrorism cases, including terrorism-financing matters, and serve as points of contact with the FBI’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and Victim Services Division.

The FBI will coordinate with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies on JTF 10-7 activities, as well as foreign counterparts through the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Israel. FBI agents will be embedded with Israel’s National Bureau of Counter Terror Finance, which has already been a tremendous partner in the ongoing investigations.

These efforts will build on the Justice Department’s ongoing investigations into the perpetrators of these heinous acts and demonstrate the Department’s commitment to degrading and dismantling Hamas, holding Hamas supporters accountable, achieving justice for victims, and fighting terrorist-led antisemitism.

Governor Hochul Announces New Measures to Simplify Reporting of Drug Price Spikes

New DFS Connect Platform Makes It Easier for New Yorkers To File Complaints About Drug Price Spikes and Allows Local Small Pharmacies To Seek Assistance in Resolving Complaints Against Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Replaced Outdated Systems With Single Streamlined Platform To Improve Oversight and Ensures Better Service

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of DFS Connect; a new digital program launched by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) that will centralize the Department’s interactions with both regulated entities and consumers and ensure better service to businesses and consumers. Building on the State’s actions to protect New Yorkers from rising drug costs, the initial functions launched today on DFS Connect provide a streamlined and transparent way to file complaints for prescription drug prices that increase more than 50 percent over the course of a year and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Additionally, individuals can file complaints via mail or by calling the DFS Hotline.

“New Yorkers deserve a transparent and accessible option for reporting drug price spikes and holding PBMs and drug manufacturers accountable for their rising costs of prescription medication,” Governor Hochul said. “DFS Connect allows for individuals to report these spikes to the State and provide a more efficient service to both consumers and businesses.”

In 2021, Governor Hochul signed landmark legislation to bring transparency and a comprehensive regulatory structure to otherwise unregulated PBMs. DFS adopted new market conduct regulations to govern PBMs operating in New York State; helping to protect New Yorkers’ access to prescription drugs, prohibiting business practices that increase the cost of certain drugs, and ensuring that small, independent pharmacies compete on a fair playing field with large pharmacies affiliated with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Since January 2022, DFS has received over 300 complaints regarding PBMs and has recovered a total of more than $1.3 million for pharmacies and consumers.

With today’s launch of DFS Connect, New Yorkers can now submit complaints about prescription drug spikes, PBMs and drug manufacturers. Once a complaint is submitted through DFS Connect, an individual can track its status in real-time and communicate directly with DFS staff about their issue. DFS Connect eliminates bureaucratic red tape and creates a user-friendly platform that enhances oversight and ensures better service to regulate businesses and consumers alike. Pharmacies will also be able to report problematic business practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drug manufacturers.

Over the next three years, all of DFS’s regulatory processes and consumer support services will be rolled out on the platform:

• Q2-Q3 2025: Insurance Acquisition of Control, Reinsurance Agreements, Reinsurer Applications, Disclaimer of Control, Free Trade Zone Applications, Management Services Agreements, Schedule C-1 Filings
• Q4 2025: Billing and Assessments, Foreclosure Management System Replacement
• Q1-Q2 2026: Banking & Virtual Currency Examinations
• Q3-Q4 2026: Licensing and Insurance Examinations
• Q1-Q2 2027: Full transition of all regulatory processes to DFS Connect, including all consumer complaints

This tool is also modernizing how DFS oversees financial institutions, ensuring that critical regulatory functions, such as licensing, renewals, examinations and legal filings, are handled seamlessly. Additional functionalities, including insurance-related licensing and examination modules, will be introduced over the next two years, with the full transition to DFS Connect expected in 2026.

As part of its larger operational transformation, DFS has also invested heavily in strengthening its workforce. Over the past three years, DFS has hired and promoted more than 1,000 individuals, including the first class of financial services examiner trainees since 2018. This investment ensures the Department can effectively oversee New York’s financial and insurance industries while continuing to enhance consumer protections.

New Yorkers can submit PBM or drug price spike complaints online using DFS Connect, which can be accessed with a new or existing NY.gov account. Paper complaints are available on the Consumer Complaint page, and can be mailed to the Department of Financial Services, Attn: Office of Pharmacy Benefits, 1 Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12257. Additionally, the DFS Hotline is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call DFS at (800) 342-3736.

For more information or to sign up for DFS Connect, visit the DFS website or the DFS Connect platform.

Attorney General James Secures Settlement with the NCAA to Protect Student Athletes’ Careers

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general secured a settlement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that will protect student athletes’ rights to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). In May 2024, Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general sued the NCAA for restricting student athletes’ abilities to earn money from NIL opportunities. The lawsuit alleged that the NCAA’s NIL rules prevented student athletes from learning about their potential compensation from NIL opportunities before deciding to commit, enroll, or transfer to a university. Attorney General James and the coalition argued that these restrictions violate federal antitrust law and limit student athletes’ chances to earn NIL compensation. The settlement will end the NCAA’s restrictive NIL rules and enable student athletes to learn about NIL opportunities before committing to a school.

“Student athletes should have the freedom to decide the course of their athletic careers without restrictions that rig the game against them,” said Attorney General James. “The NCAA’s NIL rules put student athletes on an unfair playing field, preventing them from knowing about opportunities to get paid before they commit to a school. I am proud to have secured a better deal for these athletes that will ensure they are fully informed before committing to play.”

Following Attorney General James and the coalition’s lawsuit, a federal judge agreed with the states’ allegations and blocked the NCAA’s enforcement of its unlawful rules. The attorneys general and the NCAA have now negotiated a settlement that will protect student athletes’ NIL rights during the recruiting process and prohibit the NCAA from reviving its NIL recruiting rules. Under the settlement, the NCAA will not enforce its NIL recruiting rules or enact any similar policies. The NCAA must also publicize any new proposed rule concerning NIL opportunities on a dedicated public webpage for five years.

Joining Attorney General James in this settlement are the attorneys general of Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 

U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 750 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Second week in March.

 

President Trump has been clear that securing the Southwestern Border of the United States is a priority of the absolute highest level. To that end, the Department of Justice is prosecuting every possible immigration violation, including first-time illegal entry cases, and is seeking a meaningful prison sentence in every possible case.

Last week, the U.S. Attorneys for Arizona, Western Texas, Southern Texas, New Mexico, and Central California charged more than 750 defendants with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws.

“The District of Arizona has brought immigration-related criminal charges against 232 defendants. Specifically, the United States filed 92 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 124 aliens for illegally entering the United States.”

“The Western District of Texas announced [Friday], that federal prosecutors in the district filed 215 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases. Several individuals were charged with illegal reentry after deportation, after being found in local area jails.”

The Southern District of Texas announced Friday “A total of 245 new cases have been filed. Of those, 115 are charged with illegally re-entering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent and/or sexual crimes and prior immigration offenses. A total 118 face charges of illegally entering the country, 10 cases involve various instances of human smuggling, and the remainder relate to firearms and assault of federal officers.”

The Central District of California “filed charges against 16 defendants who allegedly illegally re-entered the United States after being removed. Many of the defendants charged were previously convicted of felony offenses before they were removed from the U.S., offenses that include sexual abuse of children. One of the defendants is charged in state court with a murder in Inglewood last month.”

The District of New Mexico “brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 38 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326), 5 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324), and 22 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325).”

We are grateful for the hard work of our border prosecutors in bringing these cases and helping to make our border safe again.