Governor Hochul Announces Increased Local Law Enforcement and State Police Patrols During Holiday Travel Season

One of Several Annual Alcohol- and Drug-Related Enforcement Campaigns Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee

Construction Closures Temporarily Suspended To Ease Holiday Travel

Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers that State Police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in an ongoing nationwide enforcement strategy to remove impaired drivers from our roads this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign — an initiative funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) — will run through Thursday, January 1, 2026.

"Anyone making the decision to place themselves or other drivers in danger this holiday season will be ticketed or face criminal charges," Governor Hochul said. “Our state has zero tolerance for impaired and reckless driving because the safety of New Yorkers is always my top priority.”

In addition to the driving while intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints and patrols, law enforcement officers will be watching for speeding drivers, distracted drivers and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires drivers to exercise extreme caution when passing any vehicle that is stopped in or on the side of the road.

New York State DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate, but you must celebrate responsibly. If you drive impaired and break the law, you will face consequences and be held accountable. Take the time to plan for a sober ride home, avoid distractions behind the wheel and slow down, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “As motorists drive throughout the state to see family and friends this holiday season, we encourage them to make safe driving practices a priority. There’s no excuse for driving impaired, and when someone makes the choice to drive after using alcohol or drugs, they are endangering the lives of everyone. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to discourage and detect impaired motorists. I thank the GTSC for their partnership in educating and bringing awareness to all who get into a vehicle in New York State.”

Construction Closures Suspended

In an effort to ease travel during the busy holiday weekends, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24 through 6 a.m. Monday, December 29, and again from 6 a.m. Wednesday, December 31 through 6 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026.

The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of drivers to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. Drivers should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

Drivers must follow the state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024 to require drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. The Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation urge drivers to stay alert while driving, slow down and safely move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The lives of drivers, employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on it.

Texting stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state’s effort to reduce distracted driving. The New York State Thruway Authority will also continue its tradition of offering free coffee and hot tea to travelers along the Thruway from 11 p.m. New Year’s Eve through 7 a.m. New Year’s Day morning to promote safety and alert driving.

All 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway are now open. Drivers can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority's website and on the free mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app also provides drivers direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Drivers can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest conditions along the Thruway.

Travelers can also check NYSDOT's 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2,219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

These traffic enforcement campaigns are funded by the GTSC, which promotes and supports participation of law enforcement agencies at the state, county and local levels in high-visibility enforcement efforts. Grant funding is intended to provide for supplemental traffic enforcement and engagement during those times of the year, like the holidays, when there is greater potential for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs to be on the road.

During last year’s crackdown law enforcement statewide issued 129,686 tickets. Of those tickets 23,339 were for speeding, 4,205 were for distracted driving, 3,230 were for seatbelts, 981 for the “Move Over Law” and 4,264 individuals were arrested for impaired driving. 93,667 drivers were ticketed for other infractions.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services data shows that felony and misdemeanor arrests for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs result in a conviction in approximately 90 percent of cases.

The State Police, the GTSC and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer these tips to make the holidays safer for all:

• Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ride sourcing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• Use your community’s sober ride program;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind drivers that their “Have a Plan” mobile app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver. 

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING FOR FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND JOBS AND EDUCATION HUB, CELEBRATE FOUR YEARS OF DELIVERING HOUSING, JOBS, AND TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS

 

SPARC Kips Bay Will Create Over 15,000 Jobs, Generate $42 Billion in Economic Impact Over 30 Years, and Deliver State-of-the-Art Life Sciences Space to CUNY Community 

Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul Have Consistently Set Tone for a Focused City-State Relationship That Delivers a More Affordable City for New Yorkers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez today celebrated progress on the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) Kips Bay project, a first-of-its-kind life sciences innovation, career, and education hub they have been working in partnership to make a reality since year one of the Adams administration. Deconstruction of the current campus on the site is expected to begin in February 2026, with construction of the new SPARC campus expected to begin in 2027. Today’s announcement is yet another example of the successful city-state partnership Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul have achieved for the last four years, working together to address the affordability crisis, create new housing, lower taxes, advance bold infrastructure projects, and make the city safer.

“SPARC Kips Bay will transform an entire New York City block into a state-of-the-art destination for the life sciences and healthy industry. It will create 15,000 good-paying jobs and generate over $42 billion in economic impact for our city. We thank our partners, NYCEDC, CUNY, and, especially, Governor Hochul for her steadfast support and leadership,” said Mayor Adams. “From day one, Governor Hochul has been a real partner in ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for our city and working people. Over the past four years, we have worked together to make our city more affordable, delivered the ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,’ expanded the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time in nearly two decades, and eliminated the personal income tax for over 582,000 New Yorkers through our ‘Axe the Tax for Working-Class’ plan. We have worked in partnership to get big, visionary projects planned, approved, and built, including the reimaging of the Kingsbridge Armory and our historic plan to turn the Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a modern maritime port. Together, we have invested in a bold vision for the five boroughs that has made New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to live and raise a family.”

“The new SPARC campus will drive innovation and research for New York’s nation-leading life sciences ecosystem, ensuring that groundbreaking medical advances are done right here in this city,” said Governor Hochul. “Over the past four years, Mayor Adams and I have made bold strides to uplift New York City’s economy, create good-paying jobs for New Yorkers, address the affordable housing crisis head-on, and forge ahead with critical infrastructure projects — showcasing what can be accomplished through state and city partnership.”

“SPARC Kips Bay will expand pathways into public health careers for our students and provide state-of-the-art facilities for our faculty who are conducting research for the public good,” said CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “I’m pleased to mark this milestone and grateful to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for their leadership and support of this transformational project, which will strengthen our city and university.”

Next Steps for SPARC

The transformation of SPARC will bring over 2 million square feet of academic, public health, and life sciences space to the community. First announced by Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, NYCEDC, and CUNY in October 2022, the historic project is expected to create more than 15,000 total jobs, generate $42 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, and establish a pipeline from New York City’s public schools and public universities to future-forward and family-supporting careers in the life sciences and health care sectors. 

The Innovation East development — located at 455 First Avenue in Manhattan — will replace the former and obsolete Public Health Lab with a new state-of-the-art life science hub. The Public Health Lab will relocate to a new, modern facility in Harlem to continue its critical work, which is expected to be complete in 2026. Demolition of the existing 455 First Avenue building is anticipated to occur once the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene vacates, which is expected in 2026. SPARC Kips Bay passed Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULRUP) and received New York City Council approval in February 2025.

The SPARC Kips Bay and Innovation East projects are key initiatives to advance the LifeSci NYC with the goal of creating and attracting accessible jobs in life sciences, health care, and public health; and cementing New York City as a global leader in the sector.

Addressing New York City’s Affordability Crisis

Last year, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul worked together to pass “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City history. The citywide rezoning plan will enable the creation of 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years and invest $5 billion — including $1 billion from the state — towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. Additionally, in 2024, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul worked with the New York state Legislature to pass a comprehensive housing agreement as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. That agreement — which included new tools to encourage more affordable housing, convert offices into homes, allow more density in housing, and create safe basement apartments — is already delivering more housing for New Yorkers across the city.

Further, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul worked together to establish the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust, paving the way for the overdue repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of 25,000 apartments under control of the New York City Housing Authority.

Over the last four years, under Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul’s leadership, the city and state worked together to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in tax relief for working-class New Yorkers, including the first expansion of the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in nearly two decades and Mayor Adams’ “Axe the Tax for the Working-Class” proposal to eliminate and lower city personal income taxes for nearly 500,000 New Yorkers and their dependents. When combined, both Axe the Tax for the Working Class and the new, enhanced NYC EITC is putting more than a collective $408 million back into the pockets of 2 million New Yorkers.

Delivering on Big, Bold Infrastructure and Economic Development Projects

Since 2022, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul have worked together to advance bold economic development and infrastructure projects that had previously languished for decades and bring new housing, jobs, and public space to New York City.

Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul — as well as local elected officials and community leaders — helped pass a historic vision plan to turn the Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a vibrant, mixed-use community. Backed by $418 million in city, state, and federal investments, the ambitious plan will transform the dilapidated marine terminal into a 60-acre, all-electric maritime port, as well as create 6,000 new homes, 28 acres of public space, 37,000 construction jobs, and 275,000 square feet of commercial space along the Brooklyn waterfront.

Additionally, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul helped pass a historic plan to transform the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into a thriving, community-centered hub. With a state-of-the-art venue space for entertainment, new cultural and commercial space, light industrial manufacturing space, over 25,000 square feet of dedicated community space, and approximately 500 permanently-affordable homes, the new Kingsbridge Armory will deliver a more affordable Bronx for working-class New Yorkers.

Along with the “New” New York initiative to ensure an equitable economic recovery after the pandemic; a joint planning effort for the future of Roosevelt Island; an agreement to replace and expand the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan; a $500 million investment from the Battery Park City Authority’s Joint Purpose Fund into affordable housing; new incentive programs to encourage businesses to maintain offices in or move to New York City; and more, the Adams and Hochul administrations have consistently delivered a productive partnership and real results year after year.

NYGOP Statement on Latest ADL Report on Mamdani Anti-Semitism

 

The NYGOP released the following statement in response to the ADL's latest report on anti-Semitism in New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani's administration. 

From the report:

 

"At least 20 percent of the 400-plus appointees have ties to anti-Zionist groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which openly glorifies Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and regularly sponsors protests and events that can create a hostile campus environment for Jewish students; Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), a fringe group that advocates for the eradication of Zionism and demonizes Zionists; Within Our Lifetime (WOL), a New York-based radical anti-Zionist organization that is known for leading protests outside synagogues and facilitating some of the most heinous antisemitic rhetoric and incidents seen in New York City since Oct. 7, and others."

 

NYGOP Statement:

 

"Another day, another reminder that the incoming Mayor of New York City is an anti-Semite. Kathy Hochul's continued silence on this matter is an act of moral cowardice of epic proportions. 

 

"Bruce Blakeman has defended the rights of Jewish New Yorkers to live in peace and free from harassment his entire career. Governor Blakeman will defend Jewish New Yorkers from Zohran Mamdani and his band of brownshirts."

 

-NYGOP Spokesman David Laska

New Park Police Candidates Sought by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

 

Officers to Help Protect Park System's Record Numbers of Annual Visitors 

Applications accepted through February 18, 2026

New guidelines and requirements open the door to more applicants for a new class of Park Police candidates at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks). Applications to join the ranks of police officer protecting visitors to the State Park system will be accepted until February 18, 2026.

"With updated guidelines and requirements, we are proud to welcome a new generation of Park Police candidates," said State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser. "Our Park Police officers play a vital role in protecting the people, places, and experiences that make our state park system so special. As visitation continues to grow, we are seeking dedicated individuals who are committed to public service and to ensuring our parks remain safe and welcoming for everyone."

Candidates must be at least 20 years of age at the time of hire and must not have passed their 43rd birthday as of October 1, 2026. Previously, it was age 35. OPRHP is looking for candidates with education and experience that includes 60 college semester credit hours completed by 06/30/2026, military service or municipal police training. Details can be found here on our website.

State Parks maintains a welcoming environment and offers new recruits hands-on field work and classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Park and Recreation Law and criminal investigations. Recruits receive training in firearms, first response, snowmobile operation, ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation, and a wide variety of other law enforcement-related topics and skills.

Park Police Chief Michael Daddona said, "Park Police are relied upon to help people in need during extreme events across various park environment, which include rushing waterways, high peaks and winding trails. This is a challenging and rewarding career. Candidates will be joining a team of dedicated officers who provide a great public service to all the people of New York State."

Visit the Park Police website for more information regarding the application process, agility test, and written exam.

Park Police officers are highly trained specialists dedicated to our New York State Park Police mission of P.R.I.D.E.: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence. They provide New York State residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational experiences at State Parks and Historic Sites.

Justice Department Sues J.B. Pritzker, Kwame Raoul Over the Illinois Bivens Act

 

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers through the so-called “Illinois Bivens Act” and “Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act.”

Not only are the laws illegal attempts to regulate and discriminate against the federal government through novel causes of action, but, as alleged in the complaint, the laws threaten the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with ruinous liability and even punitive damages for executing federal law and for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations. The danger is acute.

“The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like Illinois’ that threaten massive punitive liability and compromise the safety of our officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“Unfortunately, Illinois politicians prefer to attack law enforcement with lawsuits and punitive damages rather than support ICE’s Criminal Alien Program, which prioritizes the safe removal of dangerous criminal aliens like murderers, child rapists, and other serious offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois. “Courthouse arrests are only necessary in the first place because Illinois refuses to honor federal detainers at the jails and prisons, instead preferring to release criminals back into our communities.”

On her first day in office, Attorney General Bondi instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California. 

USDA Employee Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Multimillion-Dollar Food Stamp Fraud And Bribery Scheme

 

Sean S. Buckley, Attorney for the United States, Acting under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced that ARLASA DAVIS was sentenced to twenty-four months in prison for her role in a sprawling fraud and bribery scheme that generated over $66 million in unauthorized transactions under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”)—colloquially known as food stamps.  DAVIS, a longtime employee of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), abused her position within the division responsible for identifying SNAP fraud to sell confidential government information to criminals.  DAVIS previously pled guilty to bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who imposed this sentence. 

“Arlasa Davis exploited her role as a government employee to enrich herself while undermining a program designed to help New York families in need,” said Attorney for the United States Sean S. Buckley. “This conviction and sentence send a clear message that exploitation of funds intended for families will result in serious consequences.” 

According to the Indictment and statements made in public court proceedings and filings:

DAVIS worked within the USDA division responsible for identifying SNAP fraud. She abused her privileged access to federal systems to sell hundreds of Electronic Benefits Transfer (“EBT”) license numbers to co-conspirators.  DAVIS photographed handwritten lists of license numbers intended for qualifying stores with her personal cellphone and funneled them to an intermediary who sold them to co-conspirators, who in turn used those license numbers to fraudulently obtain EBT terminals for stores that were not authorized by the USDA to process SNAP transactions.  In return, DAVIS received substantial bribes that were disguised in communications as, among other things, “birthday gifts” and “flowers.”

In addition to her prison term, DAVIS, 56, of Gardiner, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release.  DAVIS was also ordered to forfeit $48,470 and pay restitution of $36 million.

Mr. Buckley praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the USDA Office of Inspector General and the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgia V. Kostopoulos and Joe Zabel are in charge of the prosecution.

Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Protecting Youth Mental Health Services

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after a federal judge granted her motion for summary judgment declaring the Trump administration’s attempts to discontinue funding for school-based mental health programs illegal:

“Children across the country are facing record-high rates of mental health challenges. Instead of helping them, the federal government has fought tooth and nail to eliminate the services they rely on, which were created in response to the horrific tragedies in Parkland and Uvalde. Following Friday’s ruling, we can continue to honor the memory of all those we have lost to the mental health crisis by supporting our young people with empathetic, easily accessible mental health care.”

Attorney General James and 15 other attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education in July to stop the administration from abruptly ending two grant programs that fund mental health professionals in schools. These programs were created by a bipartisan majority in Congress following a series of tragic school shootings, including in Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas. The funding was meant to address the youth mental health crisis and expand access to counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools across the country.

On December 19, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted the coalition’s motion for summary judgment, declaring the funding lapse illegal. The court’s decision will preserve at least $19 million in previously approved mental health funding for New York schools.

Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Reminds New Yorkers of Minimum Wage Increase on January 1

New York State’s Minimum Wage Set To Increase to $17.00 Per Hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $16.00 Per Hour for the Rest of the State

Part of Historic Agreement To Increase New York’s Minimum Wage Through 2026 and Index to Inflation Beginning in 2027

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the state’s minimum wage is set to go up again on January 1, 2026, marking the third straight year of increases. The minimum wage will rise to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, while the rest of the state will see an increase to $16.00 per hour. This adjustment of $0.50 per hour is part of a planned series of increases, which will then be indexed to inflation starting in 2027.

“From the tip of Montauk to Niagara Falls, this increase reflects our promise to put money back in New Yorkers pockets and uplift our hard workers,” Governor Hochul said. “By continuing these investments and indexing wages to inflation, we’re making sure New Yorkers can keep up with rising costs by taking home more money.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Increasing the minimum wage is yet another way Governor Kathy Hochul is making New York a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. With costs rising, this increase is crucial for workers looking to make ends meet. I thank Governor Hochul and the Legislature for their ongoing efforts to support New York's workforce.”

As part of New York’s historic agreement in 2023 between Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the minimum wage was also boosted by $0.50 per hour in 2024 and 2025. Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will increase annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region — the most accurate regional measure of inflation.

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is working to educate employers and employees about these changes. NYSDOL offers free educational seminars to help employers better understand labor laws and ensure compliance.

Employees can visit NYSDOL’s Minimum Wage webpage for more information, including an interactive Minimum Wage Lookup Tool to verify their correct pay rate.

If you earn the minimum wage and do not see the increase reflected in your paycheck after January 1, 2026, you can file a wage complaint online or by calling 833-910-4378. For more information about wage theft, visit the Wage Theft Hub.