Governor Hochul Slams Federal Cuts to Counterterrorism Funding for New York’s Mass Transit Safety

FEMA Pledged To Zero Out MTA’s Transit Security Grant Award in 2025; MTA Was Due To Receive $34 Million To Fund Counterterrorism and Safety Measures

New York State and NYPD’s Investments In Subway Safety Continue; Transit Crime Down 30 Percent in September

Governor Hochul Successfully Fought To Restore $187 Million in Homeland Security Grant Funding Last Week

Governor Kathy Hochul today called out Washington Republicans for cutting critical safety and security funding for New York’s mass transit system. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had been slated to receive $34 million in federal Transit Security Grant Program funds, which support essential counter-terror and transit security functions. Last week, lawmakers were notified that the MTA was to be the only agency of 21 applicants nationwide to not receive federal security dollars via this program.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe, from our streets to our subways, is my highest priority,” Governor Hochul said. “Since 9/11, New York has relied on federal support to ensure that our transit system has the counterterrorism resources it needs to keep millions of riders safe every single day. The shocking actions of Washington Republicans to slash these funds and defund the police put New York City at risk. We will not tolerate these cuts; New York will take every action available to us — including the courts — to ensure the MTA gets this critical funding to keep millions of riders safe.”

The Transit Security Grant Program was started after 9/11. Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), these grants support critical functions to keep mass transit systems safe from security threats. The MTA carries a significant portion of the United States’ mass transit riders, with over 6 million daily trips taken on Metro-North, the Long Island Rail Road, and New York City Transit. In addition to approximately $12 million which would go to the NYPD, the MTA had planned to utilize this year’s grant funding to support the following public safety and counter-terror investments:

• Two cybersecurity projects, extending cyber visibility into MTA’s key systems, and a cyber lab to develop protections and vet operational technology systems.
• The procurement and deployment of approximately 330 tactical cellular cameras to replace & expand upon current unsecure offline devices in a cost-effective manner.
• The expansion of MTA weapons of mass destruction chemical detection system across 9 subway lines and a commuter rail terminal.
• The TSA mandated frontline security awareness training of 16,000 MTA employees.
• 374 deployments of MTAPD counterterrorism teams.

• The procurement of 3 MTAPD counterterrorism coordination and response vehicles.
• The installation of several hundred cameras, access control points, and laser intrusion detection systems at a major subway complex.

New York State and the NYPD continue to make significant investments in subway safety. These investments, which support an ongoing surge of NYPD officers in the subway system — including overnight train patrols announced by Governor Hochul in her 2025 State of the State address — have succeeded in reducing transit crime to historic lows in 2025. In 2022, Governor Hochul directed the MTA to install cameras in all 6,000 of its subway cars, which it completed last year. To further enhance safety, this year, the MTA began installing brighter, safer LED lights in all 472 subway stations as well as platform edge barriers to improve customer safety at 100 stations throughout the system.

Subway crime in September was down 31 percent from September 2024, and year-to-date, crime is down 4.3 percent compared to 2024. This summer was the safest summer in the subway since 2009, with major crimes down nearly 10 percent from 2024. Felony assaults in the transit system were down in September, and were down every month this summer when compared with the same month last year.

Last week, Governor Hochul successfully fought to restore $187 million in critical counterterrorism and homeland security funding cuts which had been planned by the Department of Homeland Security. These unprecedented cuts would have had a direct impact on public safety agencies throughout the state.

 

Cox: If convicted, AG James must leave office and justice will be served

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement in response to Attorney General Letitia James indictment on mortgage fraud: 

“Letitia James is unfit for an office with the power to dispense impartial justice. She campaigned for the office promising to punish former president Trump and in office she pursued partisan lawfare against Trump with the unique use of an unconstitutional and rarely used law. The case is now on appeal.  

"If she has an ounce of integrity, she will delegate her official duties to a deputy while on trial. If convicted, New York law requires that she must immediately vacate her office and justice will be served.” 

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT AFTER CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE VOTES TO ADVANCE JAMAICA NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the New York City Council Land Use and Zoning Committees voted in favor of the Adams administration's Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, moving it on to a vote by the full Council:  

 

“With its rich history and diversity, Jamaica represents so much of what makes New York City the greatest city in the world. As a bustling commercial and transit center in Queens, it’s exactly where we should be building new homes and creating high-paying jobs. But unfortunately, Jamaica’s zoning has curtailed new housing opportunities and limited new businesses, making it harder for working-class families to stay in their community. It’s past time we changed that. 

 

“With today’s vote, we’re one step closer to bringing forth an even more thriving and vibrant Jamaica where New Yorkers of all income levels can thrive. Spread out over 230 blocks, this plan will be the largest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing zone ever mapped in New York City, unlocking thousands of new homes, permanently affordable homes, and jobs. Furthermore, this plan reflects our commitment to a more resilient future, investing hundreds of millions of dollars in upgraded sanitary sewer infrastructure to reduce flooding and help this community weather future storms. 

 

“When it comes to housing, our administration is doing more than talking about it. We’re taking action every single day, cleaning up outdated zoning rules to get shovels in the ground and folks into new homes. Whether it’s crafting neighborhood plans like this one, passing the most pro-housing zoning reform in city history, or shattering affordable housing records year after year after year, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history. 

Thank you to Council Speaker Adams, Land Use Committee Chair Salamanca, Jr., Zoning Subcommittee Chair Riley, Councilmember Gennaro, and Councilmember Williams for their support for this important proposal and for working with our administration to build the homes that New Yorkers need. We look forward to a full vote later this month and bringing this ambitious plan to fruition.”  

NYS Office of the Comptroller - DiNapoli: NYC Area is Country's Second Largest Market for Venture Capital

 

Female Founded Companies in NYC Area Outperforming Peers in Rest of Nation

The New York City metropolitan area is the second largest market for venture capital (VC) funding in the United States, with $28.5 billion in investments, or 13.3% of the national total in 2024. The amount invested in the region has more than doubled since 2015, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Individual deals valued at more than $50 million drove growth nationally.

“As the financial capital of the country, New York City is a natural hub for venture capital investing and the latest numbers bear that out,” DiNapoli said. “State and local officials should look at ways to make New York City’s business environment even more attractive to investors and support entrepreneurs that lack access to capital, especially as larger deals divert funds from startups hoping to establish themselves and spur growth in the area’s economy.”

After returning to more typical levels in 2022 and 2023 from a record high in 2021, VC investment again spiked in late 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, the United States saw $92.9 billion in deal activity, the second-highest level on record. Deals worth over $50 million increased from 56.9% of the total dollar value in 2019 to 68.7% in 2024.

The strong activity nationally and in New York has been fueled by investment in artificial intelligence (AI), with that sector’s share of total investment nationwide increasing nearly three-fold from 16% in 2021 to 45% in 2024. Of the five VC firms making these investments, four were located in California, while the fifth was in Norwalk, Conn., part of the New York City metropolitan area.

While the San Jose metropolitan area (Silicon Valley) has long led VC investments by size and number of deals due to the longstanding and substantial investment made in the software industry, New York City is firmly in second place among peer U.S. regions for overall VC activity.

The New York City metropolitan area had more transactions in 2024 than the Boston and Los Angeles metropolitan areas combined, and a higher total value of investment than the Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia metropolitan areas put together.

Nationally, total investment in software companies grew from $28.6 billion in 2015 (32.6% of total funding in the country) to $100 billion in 2024, accounting for nearly half of all investment that year. In the first half of 2025, the share jumped to 57.8%, with more than $94 billion invested in software companies.

In New York City, the software and tech services sector accounted for 52.4% of activity in 2024, up from 37.6% in 2019. For 2020 to 2024 combined, software and tech services investment accounted for more than half of all VC investment. This represented over $44 billion in total investment, supporting companies with a total employment of at least 13,000 employees.

As investors have supported AI-related firms in recent years, they have increasingly preferred higher-valued deals. In 2019, deals with a value of $25 million or less accounted for 75.7% of the total number of deals, falling to 59% by 2024. During the same period, deals worth over $50 million increased from 56.9% to 68.7% of the total dollar value.

Total deals by value, including deals for firms that undertook multiple rounds of funding, that exceeded $100 million more than doubled in the first half of 2025 compared to the prior year, reaching the highest level on record at $113.6 billion. The average deal size for these “mega deals” more than doubled from $261 million in the first half of 2024 to $541 million for the same period in 2025.

DiNapoli’s report found that female founded companies in the NYC area raised $955 million in venture capital for 143 deals, outperforming those in San Francisco during the twelve-month period ending in June 2025. The industry has shifted to higher-valued deals, as investors are less interested in newer startups and first round investments, which have historically had a large share of female-founded and minority/women-owned business enterprises.

The recent tax and spending package passed by Congress is expected to have several positive impacts on VC activity. The qualified small business stock tax exemption, which has been used during exits to exclude gains from taxes, has been expanded, introducing a tiered gains-exclusions schedule and raising the tax-free cap to $15 million. The bill also reverses the requirement to amortize R&D costs over five years, and now allows them to be deducted upfront.

However, the bill also increases taxes on university endowments, replacing a flat 1.4% tax with a tiered system that raises the level to as much as 8% for elite institutions, which is likely to reduce their ability to finance VC. Cuts to Medicaid could impact healthcare startups, and the removal of the electric vehicle and clean-energy credits could have implications for the viability of related enterprises.

New York state has made efforts to support the growth of VC, particularly through AI initiatives. The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year 2023-24 established the Empire AI consortium, a $400 million private-public investment to support research and development of AI technologies in the state.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund, led by Comptroller DiNapoli, also has committed funds to its In-State Private Equity Investment Program, which includes support for companies in the venture capital stage. This program invests in private equity funds that target technology-based startups and established businesses in the state seeking expansion capital, spurring private sector investments and jobs across the state. About $1 billion of this investment was made in over 450 companies in New York City, which includes funding for startups.

While AI has comprised a significant share of VC activity, financial services firms have also received a significant portion of the funding locally, providing another key area for the state and city to continue to monitor for growth. The city’s role as a media hub and center for headquarters for pharmaceutical and consumer-focused firms should also continue to provide opportunities and talent for new startups.

Report

Venture Capital Investment in New York City

Related Reports

The Technology Sector in New York City

Imports and Exports in the New York City Metropolitan Area

Housing Lottery Launches for Mosholu Concourse Apartments in Bedford Park, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Mosholu Concourse Apartments, a pair of five-story residential buildings at 220 East 197th Street and 15 West Mosholu Parkway North in Bedford Park, The Bronx. Built in 1925, the structure yields 55 newly renovated residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 55 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $58,698 to $120,540. 

The building is equipped with a 24/7 security camera system and Brivo Access key system for building entry. All appliances in the units are energy-efficient including stove, fridge, air conditioning, and heating. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 41 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,604 for incomes ranging from $58,698 to $87,480; nine two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,907 for incomes ranging from $70,286 to $105,000; and five three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,189 for incomes ranging from $81,155 to $120,540.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than December 5, 2025.

Permits Filed for 132 Brown Place in Port Morris, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story mixed-use building at 132 Brown Place in Port Morris, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of East 134th Street and Brown Place, the lot is alternately addressed as 496 East 134th Street and is within walking distance of the Brook Avenue subway station, served by the 6 train. Yaakov Lefkowitz of Lefko Capital Group is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 68-foot-tall development will yield 31,782 square feet, with 28,783 square feet designated for residential space and 2,999 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 44 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 654 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a penthouse.

Boaz M. Golani Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Polls Show Americans Overwhelmingly Support President Trump’s Mass Deportations

 

78% of Americans support deporting criminal illegal aliens 

The American people overwhelmingly support President Donald J. Trump’s and United States Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem’s mass deportation of illegal aliens from the country, according to two national polls. 

Per a Harvard/Harris poll taken October 1 – October 2, 56% of registered voters support deporting all illegal aliens, and a whopping 78% support deporting criminal illegal aliens.  

Likewise, a New York Times/Siena poll taken September 22 – September 27 found that 54% of registered voter support “deporting immigrants living in the United States illegally back to their home countries.” 

“President Trump and Secretary Noem are delivering on the American people’s mandate to deport illegal aliens, and the latest polls show that support for the America First agenda has not wavered,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “The American people, the law, and common sense are on our side, and we will not stop until law and order is restored after Biden’s open border chaos flooded our country with the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Law and order will win the day.” 

The recent polling shows that the American people continue to support the DHS law enforcement officers and agents carrying out deportations despite a barrage of left-wing lies, media smears, and extremist attacks threatening their well-being and families. 

In recent weeks, the American people have witnessed violent Antifa-aligned radicals shoot at, assault, bite, spit, attack, and ram federal law enforcement with their vehicles simply for doing their jobs to uphold the law and keep Americans safe. ICE alone is facing a 1,000% increase in assaults. 

Meanwhile, pro-criminal leftist politicians continue to demonize federal law enforcement and fan the flames of violence and disorder. To add insult to injury, many of those same politicians have now shut down the government to provide taxpayer funded healthcare for illegal aliens, forcing law enforcement to go without pay.  

Nonetheless, the latest polls show that legacy media’s lies and leftist smears about the Administration and the heroes of ICE, CBP, and DHS are not working. The good guys are winning. DHS will not be stopped or slowed down in its mission to make America safe again for every community.  

Governor Hochul Directs Department of Environmental Conservation to Add 10 More Counties to Drought Warning

New Yorkers Urged to Conserve Water During Ongoing Dry Conditions

View Map of New York State Drought Conditions

Governor Kathy Hochul, with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, announced 10 counties were upgraded from drought watch to drought warning in the Great Lakes region. New York State is encouraging all residents, including those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks. 

“Less than a week after I implemented a statewide burn ban, the drought conditions, even after this week's rains, are not getting much better and we’re forced to add more counties to the drought warning category,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s important that we keep taking proactive steps to keep communities and farmers safe. Once again, we urge everyone in the state to do what they can to conserve water while this dry weather continues.”

A drought watch or warning is in effect for the entire state except for New York City and Westchester County. Drought conditions in this region are determined by New York City in close coordination with DEC. There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory State restrictions under a drought watch or warning. A warning declaration is a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions and includes increasing public awareness and voluntary water conservation. Public water supply purveyors and industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans.

The counties under the drought warning are Allegany, Cattaraugus, northern Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Jefferson, northern Herkimer, Lewis, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Wayne.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton said,“We encourage everyone to do their part to conserve water while we face these drier than normal conditions. The small amount of rain we received recently is not enough to overcome larger water deficits in many areas. Being more careful with water use now can prevent greater effects on our water resources. Whether it’s taking a shorter shower, not watering the lawn, or other smart reduction efforts, we can all do our part to conserve water.”  

There is rain in the forecast for many parts of New York State, but the National Weather Service’s forecast suggests a minimal likelihood of significant relief from dry conditions. Despite rain received in certain portions of the state on October 7 through October 8, observed precipitation over the past 90 days remains less than normal across virtually the entire state. Observed precipitation deficits across the state range from two to eight inches. Stream flows and groundwater levels are declining in certain areas.

State Drought Index  

In New York, drought status determinations are based on a State Drought Index that uses New York State-specific attributes, so it may differ from national drought assessments. In addition, local conditions may vary, so some areas of the state may make their own determinations of drought stage using locally focused criteria. DEC supports efforts by local governments and other stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific circumstances.  

Drought Preparedness

Certain sectors have the potential to be impacted by drought conditions, including water supply, agriculture, ecosystems, navigation and transportation, energy and manufacturing, and planning and preparedness. 

Drought preparedness includes monitoring and evaluation of climatological and conditions for early awareness of a potential drought and the implementation of short- and long-term options for programs and projects to minimize drought impacts. DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic conditions across the state.

The State’s Drought Management Task Force monitors drought conditions, communicates information, and coordinates with affected communities. The Task Force is governed by the State Drought Management Coordination Annex, which focuses on research, monitoring and possible legislative actions to help prevent and mitigate impacts from droughts.  Task Force members include DEC, New York State Office of Emergency Management, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Canal Authority, Thruway Authority, and New York Power Authority. With this coordinated preparedness and response effort, the impact of drought conditions on communities and commerce can be reduced.  

Know Your Water  

The public can contact their local water system for information about drought preparedness, impacts, and response notices and activities. Additional tips for the public on water conservation can also be found in each water system’s Annual Water Quality Report (AWQR).  

Water system contact information and AWQRs can be accessed using the Know Your NY Water website or water systems own websites. 

Support for Farmers 

It is recommended that on-farm water supplies are monitored regularly, and concerns are communicated with county emergency management and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Disaster Education Network and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets offer additional resources and local support. 

Ecosystems

Drought conditions can impact aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Reduced stream flows can impact the health of aquatic life. Decreased precipitation impacts terrestrial plants and animals through reduced plant growth. Drought conditions may be a contributing factor to Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) formation. Additional factors, including calm, sunny, and warm days and changing mixing dynamics can create conditions conducive to HAB formation. DEC maintains a HABs Reporting and Notifications page of waterbodies that currently have blooms.

Burn Ban

Due to increased fire risk, earlier this month, Governor Hochul implemented a statewide burn ban in effect through Oct. 15. The ban prohibits the starting of outdoor fires for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as all uncontained fires, including campfires, and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires. Burning garbage or leaves is already prohibited year-round in New York State and several municipalities have burn bans currently in effect.

Recent dry conditions are resulting in a “Moderate” fire danger for the entire state. A moderate fire danger means fires can start from most accidental causes.

The current fire danger map is available on the DEC website.

Private Water Well Assistance  

For assistance with water wells that may be affected by drought: 

• Contact a registered water well contractor to discuss appropriate options for individual needs. 
• Check that the well is dry due to drought and no other issues. Sometimes the solution is quite simple, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if a well is dry is to measure the water level in the well. 
• Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water wells. 
• Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods. 
• Clean or redevelop existing wells. 
• Deepen existing wells or drill a new well. If drilling a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality. 

Water Conservation Tips

To protect water resources, water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use and follow these tips: 

• Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration; 
• Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants; 
• Raise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less water; 
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks; 
• Fix leaking pipes, hoses, and faucets; 
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry; 
• Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly; 
• Install water saving plumbing fixtures; 
• Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold; and 
• Wash cars less frequently. 

For more water saving tips, visit DEC's Water Use & Conservation webpage. For more information about drought in New York, visit DEC’s website.