NYCHCC - Ponce Bank partnership with Clover X Shark Tank Summit

 

Clover and Shark Tank are teaming up to host a one-of-a-kind Summit for small business owners at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. Through Ponce Bank’s partnership with Clover, entrepreneurs have a chance to:  Win a trip to Las Vegas — September 28–30, 2025, at the iconic Venetian Resort  Pitch their business live at the Shark Tank Summit  Compete for $50,000 in funding to grow their business

How it works 1. Create a short video (up to 60 seconds) telling us why your small business needs this opportunity, using the “Tell me without telling me” social media trend. 2. Be creative – use visuals, actions, or storytelling to reveal your what your small business needs (advice, investment, marketing, whatever you need for your small business) without saying it outright. 3. When applying, please put Ponce Bank in the drop down when asked, “how’d you hear about Access Pass?” Register Below for your chance to win a grant that covers your conference ticket ($1500) and hotel accommodations. *Flights not included Registration ends Monday, August 11, 2025 Register Today

HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY Join Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. For a Movie Under The Stars Night

 

Lights, Camera, Action!

Friends, please join THIS Saturday, August 9, 2025 for a Movie Under the Stars event featuring the 2024 children's favorite Moana 2.

 

In partnership with the NYC Parks Department, this event is FREE to the public. 

• When: Saturday, August 9th
• Where: Loreto Playground (1111 Van Nest Ave.)
• Time: Movie will begin at approximately 8:00pm

I'm looking forward to seeing you all there to enjoy a fantastic night under the stars with friends and family. 

 

Yours Truly,

John Zaccaro, Jr.

Governor Hochul Announces $20 Million in Clean Water Grants During National Water Quality Month

Funding to Build More Resilient Communities, Protect Public Health and Modernize Water Infrastructure Across the State

 

Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $20 million in awards for two key programs that support clean water initiatives across the state: the Green Innovation Grant Program and Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants. This funding provides critical support to communities working to affordably modernize water infrastructure, protect public health, and enhance resilience to extreme weather. The awards are announced during National Water Quality Month, commemorated every August to highlight the importance of clean water for healthy communities and thriving ecosystems.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water, and we’re making that happen by investing in smart, affordable infrastructure upgrades,” Governor Hochul said. “From planning to construction, we’re supporting communities every step of the way so families across the state can count on reliable water systems for years to come.”

The Environmental Facilities Corporation is awarding $17 million through the Green Innovation Grant Program to support 12 stormwater infrastructure and water efficiency projects. The program supports nature-based solutions that help mitigate flooding, reduce runoff, and improve water quality, while also promoting economic development.

EFC is also awarding over $3 million in Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants to 59 communities. Planning grants jumpstart local efforts to advance fiscally sound and well-designed projects to construction by supporting completion of an approvable engineering report for the project.

Green Innovation Grant Program Award Highlights

• Green-Wood Cemetery in New York City – $1.8 million to implement the second phase of a comprehensive stormwater resilience project aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows into the Gowanus Canal and Upper New York Bay.
• City of Lockport in Niagara County (Western New York) – $1.4 million for Phase 2 of a streetscape improvement project that will incorporate green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the NYS Barge Canal.
• Village of Malone in Franklin County (North Country) – $3 million to install water meters as part of a comprehensive water system upgrade, ensuring compliance with state sanitary codes and meeting current demand.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation – $1.3 million to provide final gap funding needed to get the nearly $10 million Bridge Park South Expansion underway, featuring green infrastructure and a renaturalized shoreline to help revitalize the South Bronx waterfront and link Harlem River parks.

Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant Award Highlights

• Town of Hague in Warren County (Capital Region) – $48,500 to evaluate the feasibility of extending the sanitary sewer service along the shore of Lake George to create a third sewer district. The report will study alternatives for potential sewer system extensions options and will recommend and prioritize improvements. The implementation of this project will help reduce nutrient loading to improve water quality in Lake George.
• Village of Lake Placid in Essex County (North Country) - $50,000 to evaluate the condition of the sanitary sewers along the lower section of Main Street for water quality improvements in Chubb River. The study will include manhole inspections and televised video inspection to identify sources of inflow and infiltration. The report will recommend and prioritize improvements to the collection system.
• Village of Medina in Orleans County (Finger Lakes) – $50,000 to evaluate the current condition of the wastewater treatment plant to replace aging equipment. The report will recommend and prioritize improvements, including resiliency and cyber security enhancements. Implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for Oak Orchard Creek.
• Village of Morrisville in Madison County (Central New York) – $50,000 to assess the feasibility of consolidating wastewater treatment plants in the Village and at SUNY Morrisville to protect water quality in the Chenango River. The study will assess the necessary pumping and conveyance infrastructure for consolidation, as well as needed equipment upgrades necessary to treat the increased flow and loads at the Village’s facility.
• City of Oneonta in Otsego County (Mohawk Valley) – $100,000 to investigate sources of inflow and infiltration in the City’s sanitary sewer system to protect water quality in the Susquehanna River.
• Village of Ossining in Westchester County (Mid-Hudson) – $50,000 to identify sources of inflow and infiltration to the stormwater system. The report will identify sources of pollution entering the stormwater system and will feature a phased capital improvement plan and map to guide the implementation of recommendations. The implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for the Hudson River.
• Town of Tonawanda in Erie County (Western New York) – $100,000 to evaluate the sanitary sewers within three areas to protect Two Mile Creek and Ellicott Creek. The study will identify inflow and infiltration sources, analyze sewer hydraulic capacity, and exterior investigations.
• Town of Urbana in Steuben County (Southern Tier) – $42,000 to evaluate the feasibility of connecting properties in the town currently served by septic systems to the Village of Hammondsport collection system. The project will protect water quality in Keuka Lake.

Full lists of awardees and project descriptions for each program are available on EFC’s website at www.efc.ny.gov.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. The next round of EFC’s Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants is now open at www.efc.ny.gov. This round reflects New York’s continued leadership in investing in affordable, community-driven clean water solutions.

With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.

Active-Duty Soldier Arrested and Charged with Espionage and Export Violations

 

Taylor Adam Lee, 22, of El Paso, Texas, was arrested on charges of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license. 

“According to the criminal complaint, the defendant sought to transmit sensitive national defense information to Russia regarding the operation of the M1A2 Abrams, our Nation’s main battle tank,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work with our law enforcement and military partners to ensure that such serious transgressions are met with serious consequences.” 

“National security has long been one of the highest priorities of the Justice Department, and here in the Western District of Texas, we remain alert for those who wish to help our adversaries and harm the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Our enemies, both foreign and domestic, should be aware that we diligently investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases. I appreciate the investigative work by our partners in the FBI and the Army Counterintelligence Command, and I look forward to continuing our work with them as we proceed with the prosecution of this important case.”

“The FBI’s investigation revealed Taylor Lee allegedly attempted to provide classified military information on U.S. tank vulnerabilities to a person he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer in exchange for Russian citizenship,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Today’s arrest is a message to anyone thinking about betraying the U.S. – especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland. The FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to protect Americans and safeguard classified information.”

“This arrest is an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army,” said Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. “Thanks to the hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command Special Agents and our FBI partners, Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice, and we will continue to protect Army personnel and safeguard equipment. If anyone on our Army Team sees suspicious activity, you must report it as soon as possible.”

“Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it.”

According to court documents, Lee is an active-duty service member in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Bliss, and holds a Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance. From approximately May 2025 through the present, Lee sought to establish his U.S. Army credentials and send U.S. defense information to Russia’s Ministry of Defense. In June 2025, Lee allegedly transmitted export-controlled technical information on the M1A2 Abrams Tank online and offered assistance to the Russian Federation, stating, “the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” and added, “At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.”

In July, at an in-person meeting between Lee and who he believed to be a representative of the Russian government, Lee allegedly passed an SD card to the individual. Lee proceeded to provide a detailed overview of the documents and information contained on the SD card, including documents and information on the M1A2 Abrams, another armored fighting vehicle used by the U.S. military, and combat operations. Several of these documents contained controlled technical data that Lee did not have the authorization to provide. Other documents on the SD card were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and featured banner warnings and dissemination controls. Throughout the meeting, Lee stated that the information on the SD card was sensitive and likely classified.

During and after the July meeting, Lee discussed obtaining and providing to the Russian government a specific piece of hardware inside the M1A2 Abrams tank. On July 31, 2025, Lee delivered what appeared to be the hardware to a storage unit in El Paso, Texas. After doing so, Lee sent a message to the individual he believed to be a representative of the Russian government stating, “Mission accomplished.”

The FBI Washington and El Paso Field Offices are investigating the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.

Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Brown and Mallory Rasmussen for the Western District of Texas and are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Former U.S. Embassy Employee Extradited To Face Charges For Cocaine Importation Conspiracy

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Michael McCarthy, announced that JAIRO ELIEZER ARIAS CACERES, a former employee of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic in connection with the unsealing of an Indictment charging ARIAS CACERES with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.  ARIAS CACERES will make his initial appearance later today before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods. 

“Jairo Eliezer Arias Caceres allegedly orchestrated a cocaine smuggling scheme while employed as a security officer at our U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic and as a former security officer at the airport in Santo Domingo,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “While Arias Caceres was supposed to be protecting our diplomats and embassy staff from danger, he was allegedly busy endangering New Yorkers by pumping illegal drugs into our community.  Abuse of a position of national trust to traffic in deadly narcotics shocks the sensibilities of New Yorkers and the women and men of our office are committed to bringing those who abuse that trust to justice.”

“The charges against Jairo Arias Caceres are the result of an extensive investigation into a significant narcotics importation conspiracy, led by our Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST),” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy.  “In coordination with HSI Santo Domingo and multiple federal partners, this investigation successfully dismantled a sophisticated trafficking network responsible for moving dangerous narcotics from the Dominican Republic into the United States.  HSI remains committed to protecting the American public by targeting and disrupting the transnational criminal organizations that seek to bring illicit drugs into our communities.”

As alleged in the Indictment and other court filings:[1]

Since at least in or about April 2023 through at least in or about December 2023, ARIAS CACERES—while employed as a security officer by the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic—operated a transnational conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.  ARIAS CACERES devised a scheme through which couriers smuggled cocaine into various airports in the New York area by disguising the cocaine in the packaging of items purchased from the Santo Domingo Airport Duty Free store.  Photographs of some of the several cocaine seizures linked to ARIAS CACERES are below: 

Before working for the U.S. Embassy, where he was employed from 2018 through 2025, ARIAS CACERES also worked for at least seven years as security officer at the Santo Domingo Airport.  ARIAS CACERES exploited his former positions of authority at the Embassy and the Airport in order to operate this narcotics importation scheme.

The defendant was in charge of several aspects of the scheme.  He helped to recruit couriers, paid for and arranged their travel to and from the Dominican Republic, and organized the logistics of the couriers’ receipt of cocaine from other airport employees.  For each of the couriers, the defendant was their main point of contact before, during, and after their smuggling trips to and from the Dominican Republic.

ARIAS CACERES, 35, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is charged with one count of conspiracy to import narcotics into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI New York; the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; HSI Santo Domingo; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Strategic Partnership for Enforcement and Analytical Response Port of New York/New Jersey; CBP’s Air & Marine Operations; and the U.S. Marshals Service Office of International Operations, Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office.

The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition to the United States of CACERES. 

This prosecution is part of an OCDETF operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackie Delligatti and Katherine Cheng are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Weekly Newsletter

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Dear Neighbors,

We hope you’re staying cool and enjoying the summer sunshine! Things may be a bit quieter this time of year, but our team is still hard at work bringing the community together. This week’s concert in our Summer Series was a blast, and we loved seeing so many of you during our “Night Out” with the 45th and 49th Precincts.

There’s more to come—be sure to check out the updates and upcoming events in this week’s newsletter.

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council and continue fighting to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous!

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

Oldies in Loreto Playground August 1st, 2025

Oh what a night!

Our concert last week was a hit! Thank you to our performers for taking us down memory lane with the oldies



Our concert series is still underway - we have one more to go!

Thank you to everyone that came out & see you on the next dance floor :)

National Night Out! August 5th, 2025

Last night I attended and sponsored 2 wonderful events with our NYPD 45 Precinct and NYPD 49 Precinct, precinct councils, colleagues and community members!

Thank you to our men and women in blue for all you do today and always!

D13 Case Highlights

Big shoutout to ACE New York for putting in the work and keeping our streets clean, and major thanks to New York City Department of Sanitation for hauling it all away — teamwork makes the city shine!

Veterans Services Upcoming Events Pet Adoption Event!   Concert Series Finale! Councilwoman Marmorato  718-931-1721 District13@council.nyc.gov

NYC Council Land Use Committees Approve Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan That Will Deliver Nearly 10,000 New Homes, with over $488 Million for Investments in Garment District Industries and Neighborhood Benefits

 

Council’s approval of historic Midtown neighborhood rezoning is largest residential rezoning in 20 years, building on record of advancing housing solutions to address affordability crisis

Today, the New York City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use voted to approve the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX), a neighborhood rezoning that will bring over 9,500 new homes, including over 2,800 permanently affordable homes, to the Manhattan districts of Council Member Erik Bottcher and Council Member Keith Powers. Amidst a citywide housing crisis with historically low vacancy rates, the MSMX plan will enable residential development in a part of Midtown Manhattan, where housing is generally not currently allowed, and maps Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) onto the neighborhood for the first time in history. This historic plan will be accompanied by $488 million in community benefits and infrastructure improvements, such as targeted investments to support the Garment District industry and businesses, parks, public transit, and other neighborhood resources.

“To confront the citywide housing and affordability crisis, our city must build more homes and invest in housing solutions that allow generations of New Yorkers to remain in this city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to advance the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan that will deliver more new homes than any residential rezoning in 20 years, while investing to preserve and support our city’s Garment District industries and invest in the needs of the surrounding communities. I thank Council Member Bottcher, Council Member Powers, Land Use Chair Salamanca, and Zoning and Franchises Chair Riley for their partnership to bring this project to the finish line.”

Through the negotiation process, the Council secured over $120 million in economic development resources to protect and support the historic fashion and garment industries located in the Garment District. These include Midtown Made, an EDC-coordinated campaign to connect businesses to expanded tools, a Local Production Fund to incentivize fashion designers to use local garment manufacturers, investing $50 million in the Greenlight Innovation Fund to help eligible nonprofit organizations secure and develop permanent, below-market space for the garment industry, and reopening of the Manhattan Commercial Revitalization (M-CORE) program. This area of Midtown is home to legacy industries of fashion, garment manufacturing, and wholesale distribution, with the Garment District remaining a unique cluster of fashion designers, showrooms, wholesalers, and manufacturers that benefit from proximity to each other and the nearby Theater District.

The Council also secured over $340 million for street and public realm improvements, upgrades to parks and playgrounds, local MTA subway stations and bus routes, and funding for local hospitals and emergency medical services.

This is the City’s first use of new high-density residential zoning districts (R11 and R12) above 12 Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which were created by last year’s City of Yes zoning text amendment after the 12 FAR cap was lifted by the State. The City Planning Commission will now review the modified proposal for scope approval prior to it being voted on by the full Council.

Highlights of the approved rezoning and negotiated agreement include:

Housing Production

•   Over 9,500 new homes, including more than 2,800 that are permanently affordable under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing

Support for Garment District Industry and Businesses

•   Midtown Made, a campaign and website to elevate local designers, manufacturers, and creative entrepreneurs
•   CFDA Local Production Fund Pilot, with over $1.8 million in public and private funding to support designers and garment manufacturers
•   Greenlight Innovation Fund: $50 million to help nonprofit organizations develop permanent, below-market space for the garment industry and other key sectors
•   Reopen the M-CORE tax incentive program to encourage renovations of aging commercial office buildings in Manhattan to attract fashion brands to the area
•   Appoint a dedicated point person from New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to support the continued vitality of the Garment District

Public Realm Improvements

•   Investments in 380 trees with tree guards to increase tree canopy and native plantings, restore habitat, and strengthen climate resilience
•   Lighting upgrades to St. Vartan Park in Murray Hill and $13.5 million full renovation of McCaffrey Playground on West 43rd street
•   Family-friendly designs across all MSMX public realm projects

Transportation and Infrastructure Upgrades

•   Establishment of a car-free busway on 34th Street between 9th and 3rd Avenues for the M34 and M34-A Select Bus Service
•   Subway station renovations, including accessibility improvements, to make more than 80% of the 26 stations in this area accessible
•   Completion of the Broadway Vision Plan to transform 21 blocks, including two new car-free blocks on Broadway between 22nd and 23rd streets and 24th and 25th streets, making Broadway from 22nd to 25th streets completely car free
•   Street safety enhancements — including raised crosswalks and shortened pedestrian crossing distance, protected bike lanes, hardened barriers that prevent conflict between motorists and more vulnerable road users, turn calming, and lower speed limits – in accordance with Vision Zero best practices
•   Completion of bike lane from 30th to 34th streets along 7th Avenue to create a continuous bike lane from Central Park South to Houston Street.

Community Investments

•   School improvements, including new playground equipment at PS 11, upgraded auditorium and technology improvements at PS 33 and PS 430, modernized science lab at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, and new fabric, textiles, and fiber arts lab at the High School of Fashion Industries
•   $12 million to revitalize Bellevue Hospital’s ambulance bay to meet the needs of the growing community
•   Accelerated development of Emergency Medical Services Station 7 at West 29th Street between 11th and 12th avenues

The Council, under Speaker Adams since 2022, has prioritized the advancement of housing solutions by approving land use proposals that create over 120,000 new units of housing, more than 50% of which are affordable, and securing over $8 billion in additional housing-related investments. These include the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity citywide zoning reforms with the Council’s City for All housing plan, as well as the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan and Bronx Metro North rezonings and InnovationQNS – the largest privately developed affordable housing project in the history of Queens.

Strengthening Public Safety: Governor Hochul Announces Discovery Law Improvements to Take Effect This Week

Passed as Part of the FY26 Enacted Budget, Amendments to New York’s Discovery Laws Will Support Survivors, Hold Perpetrators Accountable and Safeguard Right to a Fair and Speedy Trial

$135 Million Will Enable Prosecutors and Defenders To Ensure Compliance with Discovery

Changes to Discovery Help To Rebalance the Scales of Justice in New York and Build Upon Governor Hochul’s Record Investments in Proven Crime Prevention Initiatives

Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted essential changes to New York's Discovery Laws, set to take effect on Thursday, August 7, at a press conference with New York District Attorneys, victim advocates and local law enforcement. Passed as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget agreement, amendments to the discovery process will support survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial in New York State.

“The safety of New Yorkers is my number one priority and this week, reforms that will make our public safety laws stronger go into effect — changes that enable us to better support survivors and close the revolving door of our court system,” Governor Hochul said. “Our Discovery Laws — some of the strongest for defendants in the country — ensure that our justice system works for both victims and public safety officers, rebalancing the scales of justice in New York.”

Common-sense adjustments to Discovery maintain due process for defendants while replacing a system that allowed for automatic dismissals based on technical errors and had adverse effects on survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes. With bipartisan support from District Attorneys, domestic violence victim advocates, religious leaders and business groups, these Discovery changes will:

• Require courts to consider the prosecutor’s efforts as a whole and whether any missing material prejudiced the defense, preventing cases from being thrown out over insignificant mistakes;
• Narrow the scope of the items that must be disclosed and cut out the need to seek certain materials that are irrelevant to the charges against the defendant, allowing prosecutors to better focus on gathering the evidence that really matters;
• Allow prosecutors to move the case forward after they have exercised good faith and due diligence to obtain discoverable material and disclosed everything they have actually obtained, even if there are items they are waiting on;
• Protect against manipulation of the speedy trial clock, requiring defense attorneys to bring challenges early in the case and confer with prosecutors to resolve issues and move cases forward quickly; and
• Streamline protections for sensitive witness information, both to protect witnesses and to facilitate a culture of witnesses feeling empowered to come forward.

 As part of the Governor’s record investments in proven crime prevention initiatives, $135 million was allocated in the FY26 Enacted Budget for both prosecutors and defenders across the State to help ensure compliance with discovery.

In her FY26 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul strengthened the State’s public safety initiatives, investing $347 million in gun violence prevention programs, increasing law enforcement presence in the New York City subways, combatting the rise in hate crimes and continuing efforts to address sexual assault, domestic violence, gender-based violence and sex trafficking.