Governor Hochul Secures Reforms to Lower Auto Insurance Premiums for New Yorkers

Governor’s Initiative Will Battle Fraud, Limit Damages Paid Out to Bad Actors and Ensure Consumers, Not Insurance Companies, Are Prioritized

New Law Will Cap Excess Insurance Profits And Return Savings To Consumers

Reforms Build on Governor’s Ongoing Efforts To Make New York State More Affordable and Put Money Back Into Pockets of Hardworking New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced reforms to bring down costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State as part of her FY27 Enacted Budget. The Governor secured common-sense steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized. These reforms build on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to make the state more affordable and put money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers.

“Outdated laws, special interest loopholes and jackpot insurance payouts to bad actors have long forced New Yorkers to pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation,” Governor Hochul said. “These hardfought reforms are a win for every New Yorker who depends on a car to go to work or drop their kids at school. But it’s bigger than that – I’ve heard from farmers who say these reforms will lower the cost of getting their goods to market and from construction supply companies who say this will lower the cost of building. This is how we are delivering on the promise to tackle the affordability crisis head on.”

New Yorkers’ insurance rates total an average of slightly more than $4,000 annually, nearly $1,500 above the national average. Car insurance rates are driven up by a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes and enforcement gaps. Staged crashes and associated insurance fraud inflate premiums up to $300 a year, according to some estimates. New York’s broken insurance system is not just hurting those who rely on a car to get around, but local businesses that rely on trucking to make ends meet.

The FY27 Enacted Budget includes sweeping reforms designed to help drive down New York’s exorbitantly high auto insurance rates, addressing the root causes by targeting fraud and tackling runaway litigation. No other Governor in a generation has taken on tort reform and walked away with a deal that will result in significant savings for New York consumers and businesses. The Budget also includes provisions that enable prosecutors to seek criminal penalties against any individual responsible for organizing a staged accident, not just the particular individual behind the wheel.

The state of Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has issued an analysis demonstrating how its 2023 tort reform package has resulted in a 5.6 percent decrease in the average auto insurance rates across the majority of its market. For example, in 2025, Florida’s largest carrier returned nearly $1 billion in excess profits to 2.7 million policyholders. Florida’s analysis of its declining rates offers a stark contrast with New York’s experience in the same timeframe. Following the implementation of tort reform, Florida reversed its double-digit growth of auto insurance rates in 2023 into a 7.4 percent reduction in the average rates by 2025, showcasing savings for consumers. 

Limiting Damages for Individuals Engaging in Unlawful Behavior at the Time of an Accident

Caps damages for drivers engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the incident, to ensure drivers flouting the law — including uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and drivers in the act of committing a felony — don’t walk away with a jackpot payday at the expense of everyone else.

Tightening the Serious Injury Threshold

Improves statutory definitions to clarify what actually constitutes a ‘serious injury’ so that damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress are reserved for those able to objectively demonstrate that they have suffered a serious injury.

Limiting Damages for Individuals Who Are “Mostly” At Fault in Causing an Accident

Ensures that if a driver is found to be mostly at fault for causing an accident, they cannot sue their victims for outsized payments for damages. This change will put New York in line with most other states.

Applying stringent oversight on insurance companies rates, preventing excess profits, and returning savings to consumers

Puts consumers first by preventing insurance companies from exorbitantly raising rates by setting a legal threshold that prevents excess profits and returns savings to consumers. Additionally, the Budget creates new regulatory safeguards to prevent insurance companies from raising rates without seeking express approval from the Department of Financial Services.

Ensuring Fair Rates for Drivers

Protects consumers by prohibiting insurance companies from setting rates based on extraneous, personal factors like homeownership status, occupation, education level or zip code.

NYSOFA Celebrates Older New Yorkers’ Day 2026: Recognizing Over 100 Older Adults for Their Volunteerism and Civic Engagement

 

Honorees represent nearly 1 million older volunteers helping communities across New York, contributing 474 million hours of community service at an economic value of $13.2 billion

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) this week honored over 100 older adults for their extraordinary volunteerism as part of NYSOFA's annual Older New Yorkers' Day celebration. The event took place May 26 in Albany, during Older Americans Month.

New York's 59 county-based offices for the aging and their partners nominate outstanding older adults each year who enrich their communities, making them stronger, inclusive, and supportive through their extraordinary volunteerism and civic engagement.

In a proclamation for Older Americans Month, Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “New York State honors the older adults who give back in their communities through mentorship, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and service to our country, and expresses gratitude for their volunteerism that serves as the cornerstone for the vital operations of thousands of nonprofits, human services organizations, educational institutions, and community groups.”

NYSOFA’s theme for Older Americans Month 2026 is “Compassion in Action” to highlight older New Yorkers’ profound impact bettering communities across the state.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Each year, NYSOFA is proud to honor older New Yorkers whose unwavering commitment to service enriches communities throughout our state. Their experience, economic contributions, and civic engagement make a lasting difference in every corner of New York. We are grateful for their impact and for the 59 county offices for the aging, along with the Association on Aging in New York, who work tirelessly to deliver essential services to older adults every day.”

He added: “Looking at the positive impact of NYSOFA's honorees, and the nearly 1 million other older volunteers helping communities across New York, it’s clear to see older adults are vital to strengthening communities and local, regional, state and national economies. In fact, older adult volunteers in New York contribute 474 million hours of community service at an economic value of $13.2 billion.”

The honorees this year are recognized for their support of charitable causes, their work with local health care and human services organizations, grassroots civic contributions, volunteer work with emergency management corps, local fundraising activities, and so much more. Awardees also include volunteers for two statewide NYSOFA-administered programs: The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) and the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). These volunteers assume specialized roles that demand many hours of training, intricate problem-solving, and coordination with local organizations to help older adults navigate Medicare and other insurance coverage questions (HIICAP) and quality-of-care issues in long term care facilities (LTCOP).

This year’s honorees have collectively volunteered for more than 2,700 years, raised 223 children, 308 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, and 16 are veterans.  

Please read the program book here to find awardees from your region and learn about them.

Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) Executive Director Rebecca Preve said, “Older New Yorkers’ Day is an opportunity to honor and recognize the outstanding contributions of older adult volunteers. Each and every day, older volunteers positively impact the lives of others, assist community-based organizations, and give of themselves without seeking acknowledgment. We are honored to participate in the New York State Office for the Aging’s ceremony highlighting the contributions of older adult volunteers from across New York State. We congratulate each honoree, and thank them for their service to others.”

Governor’s Exemplary Volunteer Service Award

During the ceremony on May 26, NYSOFA and state officials presented the 2026 Governor's Exemplary Volunteer Service Award to David and Shirley Drake. The awardee is chosen for special distinction from among all nominations by local offices for the aging and community partners.

David Drake, who passed away last year, left an enduring legacy of service in his community of Litchfield. He and his wife Shirley Drake together volunteered at their community theater, coached youth sports, supported the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, served at their Senior Club, and volunteered at the Federated Church Food Bank. In fact, David was still volunteering at the food bank just before his passing. At Older New Yorkers’ Day 2026, NYSOFA and the broader aging network community honored both Shirley and David Drake’s service and legacy.

State Support for Age-Friendly Communities

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State is providing unprecedented support for older adults, fostering age-friendly community development, programs, and policies, including the many community-based services and supports overseen by NYSOFA. Governor Hochul has also made it a priority for NYSOFA and partner agencies to work together across state government at the highest levels of coordination, through the Master Plan for Aging and other collaborative, cross-sector efforts that are bringing forth new areas of opportunity for older adults and their families.

Background About Older New Yorkers’ Day

Each year, since 1963, federal, state and local governments recognize Older Americans Month in May. New York State began its own tradition several years prior, in 1954, when Governor Thomas Dewey declared May as Senior Citizens Month, well before it was marked nationally. Ever the trend setter, New York established its state government unit on aging, NYSOFA, in 1961 – four years before the Older Americans Act was passed and signed into law. Today Older New Yorkers’ Day is an annual observance in which NYSOFA collects nominations of exceptional older adults from county-based offices for the aging and other community partners.  

About the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.8 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected—visit the NYSOFA Facebook page, follow @NYSAGING on X, or visit aging.ny.gov.

Ahead of Summer Break, Mayor Mamdani Launches Interactive Website Connecting Young New Yorkers to Free and Low-Cost Summer Programs

With dozens of activities available for children and teens, the website includes everything from free painting lessons to youth basketball leagues     

Initiative one of several efforts to keep young New Yorkers safe this summer and follows release of video with gun violence survivors 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani launched “Summer in N.Y.C.”, a new interactive website designed to connect young New Yorkers with free and low-cost summer programming in their neighborhoods and across the city. New Yorkers can access the website at NYC.gov/Summer.  

  

The website allows users to search by age, ZIP code, interests and travel distance, helping families find activities ranging from painting classes to basketball leagues, soccer programs, and other extracurricular opportunities. It also includes information about free summer meals and free citywide FIFA World Cup watch parties and celebrations.   

  

The launch is part of the Mamdani administration’s broader, whole-of-government approach to keep young New Yorkers safe and engaged during the summer months.   

  

When school lets out and temperatures rise, access to structured activities and community spaces become even more important. Last week, Mayor Mamdani released a video conversation with three members of True 2 Life, a Staten Island-based organization within the City's Crisis Management System, which uses evidence-based intervention and peer mentorship to prevent violence and address its root causes. The conversation highlighted the stories of New Yorkers impacted by gun –violence who are now working to protect the next generation. The video can be found here.   

  

This summer, the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), in partnership with DYCD and community-based organizations across the city, is implementing a coordinated Summer Safety Plan focused on preventing youth violence and expanding opportunities for young people. Through the City’s Crisis Management System, credible messengers and outreach teams will increase engagement in neighborhoods most impacted by violence, with enhanced mediation efforts, extended evening programming, youth listening events, and rapid-response activations during high-risk periods and large gatherings. The plan also expands access to safe spaces, mentorship, recreation, and workforce opportunities to ensure young New Yorkers are connected to positive supports throughout the summer months.  

  

“Too often, we tell young people what not to do – but don’t tell them what they should do. This website is about connecting kids and teens to programs they’ll actually be excited about – whether that’s basketball, photography, music or art — and making it easy for families to find opportunities close to home. With summer fast approaching, we are using every tool available to keep young New Yorkers safe, listened to rather than lectured at, and surrounded by community,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.   

 

“Summer is a time for making the core memories that shape us. It’s a time for exploration, growth and fun for every young person in our City. Delivering that means providing safe, meaningful, and free opportunities in all corners of the five boroughs and making them accessible. We created Summer in NYC to put young people just a click away from favorite and new hobbies, experiences, and connections along with critical life skills such as conflict management and emotional regulation. More importantly, we’re going to be listening to young people themselves throughout the summer, centering them in the decisions we make about how to support them and their development,” said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois.    

   

“Keeping our kids safe, healthy, and engaged is a priority for the Mamdani Administration this summer,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today's launch presents youth and teens across New York City with an easy-to-use tool that will help identify youth-centered programs that promote fitness, spur creativity, and even offer spaces to explore self-care and prioritize their mental health. This innovative resource is just one of several steps we're taking to ensure the safety and well-being of New York's youngest—and making sure they have a fun summer in the process.”  

   

DHS Takes Additional Steps to Crack Down on Asylum Fraud

 

Immigration attorneys representing illegal aliens frequently coach their clients to conceal their past and even outright lie in their asylum claims

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new directive instructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take additional steps to crack down on fraudulent asylum claims.

DHS instructed ICE to develop anti-fraud policies that will further enforce 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), a law that establishes penalties for violations of document fraud. As a result of this directive, ICE attorneys have greater authority to enforce this law, including enforcement actions against immigration attorneys who file false asylum claims in an immigration court.

“For many years, millions of illegal aliens have committed fraud in our immigration system. No place is this more rampant than in immigration court,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “Protection claims like asylum are intended to cover unique and narrow circumstances, but it is standard practice for immigration attorneys representing illegal aliens to assert that virtually every illegal alien is going to be persecuted or tortured in his or her home country. Historically, ICE has depended on the discipline of immigration judges and the enforcement of criminal fraud laws to deter this conduct, but ICE has its own tools. Now, thanks to this directive, ICE attorneys have greater authority to enforce the law and stop the abuse of our asylum system by illegal aliens and attorneys.”

This action reaffirms President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to restoring integrity to our immigration system.

In March of 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum pointing out that “the immigration bar, and powerful Big Law pro bono practices, frequently coach clients to conceal their past or lie about their circumstances when asserting their asylum claims, all in an attempt to circumvent immigration policies enacted to protect our national security and deceive the immigration authorities and courts into granting them undeserved relief.”

Jefferson County Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking as Part of Homeland Security Task Force Investigation in the Eastern District of Texas

 

A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

James William Quinney, Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on May 21, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in October 2024, law enforcement began investigating Quinney for trafficking drugs in Beaumont and the surrounding area.  During the investigation, Quinney was identified as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to other distributors for redistribution.  Quinney was found to be purchasing 18 kilograms of methamphetamine at a time for redistribution.  In total, law enforcement seized nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine from Quinney and over $80,000.00 in U.S. currency.  

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; Orange Police Department; Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Lumberton Police Department; and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment In $188K Pension Theft

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., announced the indictment of CHARLENE BUDREAU, 45, for allegedly stealing $187,913 in pension death benefits intended for her stepdaughter by filing falsified paperwork. BUDREAU is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. [1]     

“A conductor for New York City Transit saved over the course of his career, intending for his daughter to inherit his hard-earned pension,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Instead, we allege, after he passed, his wife stole the pension death benefits that should have gone to her stepdaughter. City employees work too hard for their retirement savings to be drained through theft, and I thank the New York City Department of Investigation for its partnership combatting fraud.”

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, “As charged, this defendant allegedly stole a nearly $188,000 lump sum pension payment intended for her stepdaughter, depositing the funds into a checking account. Municipal employees work their whole lives for a pension to help support them in their retirement, and their beneficiaries after their death; stealing those precious funds is a crime. I thank NYCERS for reporting this fraud to DOI and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in safeguarding the City’s pension system.”

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, beginning in April 2020, BUDREAU fraudulently submitted forms to the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (“NYCERS”) purportedly signed by her stepdaughter to obtain a lump sum pension death benefit check for $187,913.72, which she deposited in her own Citibank checking account in May 2021. Her then-teenage stepdaughter was entitled to the entirety of the NYCERS lump sum pension death benefit after the death of her father – a Conductor with New York City Transit – not BUDREAU.

District Attorney Bragg thanked the NYC Department of Investigation for its work on the matter, including Confidential Investigator Wendy Huang, Auditor Yanyan Wang, Assistant Inspector General Jeffrey Freeman, Deputy Inspector General Aleksandro Tilka, and Inspector General Ann Petterson.  

Attorney General James Joins Bipartisan Coalition Opposing Federal Legislation that Would Weaken State Protections for Children Online

AG James and 44 Other Attorneys General Urge Congress to Reject the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act

New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 other attorneys general in urging Congress to reject the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act), arguing the bill would weaken states’ ability to protect children online and shield big tech companies from accountability. In a letter to Congressional leadership, Attorney General James and the coalition warn that the KIDS Act would prevent states from addressing online threats to minors, including from social media, social gaming platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. The coalition is calling on Congress to reject the KIDS Act and instead pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).

“Online platforms are fueling a mental health crisis among young people, and New York has led the way to enact new measures to protect our kids,” said Attorney General James. “The KIDS Act would strip states of their ability to protect our children online. I am proud to join a bipartisan coalition of my fellow attorneys general in sending a clear message to Congress: the KIDS Act should not become law.” 

In 2024, New York enacted nation-leading legislation championed by Attorney General James to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18. The New York Child Data Protection Act prohibits online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling the personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website.

Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the KIDS Act would preempt state laws that address critical safety measures concerning online obscenity, online harms to children, social gaming platforms, and AI chatbots. This sweeping federal preemption would also severely restrict states’ abilities to pass new laws to protect children online and limit the power of attorneys general to enforce state laws. The coalition instead urges Congress to pass KOSA, which includes a key provision requiring online platforms to act in the best interests of minors while preserving states’ authority to enforce stronger protections for children and teens.

Joining Attorney General James in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR ALLEGEDLY THROWING CAT FROM 15TH FLOOR WINDOW TO ITS DEATH

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for causing the death of his family’s cat by allegedly throwing the animal out of his 15th floor apartment window. 

District Attorney Clark said, “We are supposed to love and care for our companion animals. Allegedly, in a fit of rage, this defendant tossed the family’s cat out of his apartment window, causing the animal’s death. The abuse of animals will not be tolerated.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Miguel Perez, 32, of Alexander Avenue, Mitchell Housing Complex, the Bronx, was arraigned on May 21, 2026, on Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Torturing and Injuring Animals before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis. He is due back in court on July 21, 2026.

According to the investigation, on March 4, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the defendant became upset after Shadow, his family’s small black cat, scratched his hand. The defendant allegedly threw the cat out of a window of the 15th floor apartment, causing its death when it hit the pavement below.

District Attorney Clark thanked Shawn Perry and Veronica Rodriguez from the New York City Housing Authority for their assistance in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.