CANDIDATE FORUM FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS, DISTRICT 5, DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Thursday, June 12, 2025
7:30pm to 8:30pm via Zoom
Organized by LWVs of Scarsdale and White Plain
Timothy D. Foley Jennifer L. Puja
To register go to LWVS.org
WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS TO ANNOUNCE $15M IN FUNDING FOR COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM
Funding Will Assist Local Municipalities With Design and Implementation of
Complete Streets Projects on Municipal Roadways
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins is announcing $15M in funding for the Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program. The Program is designed to assist local municipalities with up to 50% of project costs for Complete Streets projects on municipal roadways.
Projects are intended to enhance safety for all road users. They can include the design and implementation of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, crossing opportunities, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions and associated streetscape treatments.
Municipalities will have the opportunity to apply to Westchester County for funding for design and construction, or construction only.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “We are thrilled to have been able to allocate $15 million dollars in funding in our Capital Budget to implement the Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program.
Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing and building streets that prioritizes the needs of all road users, including the most vulnerable, like pedestrians and cyclists.
Complete Streets projects often require a collaboration between various stakeholders including local governments and transportation agencies, and we are confident that by providing the opportunity for municipalities to apply for this funding, we will create more vibrant and walkable communities throughout Westchester.”
WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS ISSUES STATEMENT ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SANCTUARY COUNTY LIST
Watch the County Executive’s Remarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fec2O0Gmj4
“Westchester County was erroneously listed in the recent Department of Homeland Security listing of ‘sanctuary municipalities.’ The federal website went up Thursday evening and was taken down over the weekend because of the high number of mistakes.
“Westchester County has never identified as a ‘sanctuary county’ and fully complies with federal law. To be clear, there is no legally recognized definition of a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.’ Unfortunately, the federal government has used this term as a political sword—wielding it to strike fear, promote division, and engage in fear mongering, rather than addressing real issues with facts and fairness.
“In response to these reckless lists, threats and rhetoric, earlier today, we asked the Board of Legislators to authorize legal steps. Westchester County is taking action. With that authorization in hand, I will direct the Westchester County Attorney to explore legal action against anyone attempting to threaten Westchester’s federal funding.
“Let’s be clear: this is about protecting Westchester. We refuse to sit back while partisan actors play political games that could cost us millions in critical federal funding. We’re fighting back—because our residents shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s political agenda.
“Section 8 of Westchester County’s Immigrant Protection Act specifically provides that it does not prevent County agencies, law enforcement authorities, or employees from complying with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, and that it does not govern the sending or receiving of information regarding the citizenship or immigration status—lawful or unlawful—of any individual.
“Additionally, the County does not willfully fail to comply with federal immigration laws. No federal civil immigration laws require the County to enforce them. Any such enforcement is voluntary—something the U.S. Attorney General has acknowledged multiple times.
“Further, the County’s Immigrant Protection Act explicitly authorizes County law enforcement agencies to communicate with federal law enforcement authorities on investigations of non-immigration-related crimes. The Act does not create a sanctuary for anyone involved in criminal conduct.
“Unlike the Federal government, Westchester County follows Judicial Orders – and we will not break laws. We are not scared of being on a ‘list’ and we are not threatened by words.”
WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS ISSUES STATEMENT ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SANCTUARY COUNTY LIST
Watch the County Executive’s Remarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fec2O0Gmj4
“Westchester County was erroneously listed in the recent Department of Homeland Security listing of ‘sanctuary municipalities.’ The federal website went up Thursday evening and was taken down over the weekend because of the high number of mistakes.
“Westchester County has never identified as a ‘sanctuary county’ and fully complies with federal law. To be clear, there is no legally recognized definition of a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.’ Unfortunately, the federal government has used this term as a political sword—wielding it to strike fear, promote division, and engage in fear mongering, rather than addressing real issues with facts and fairness.
“In response to these reckless lists, threats and rhetoric, earlier today, we asked the Board of Legislators to authorize legal steps. Westchester County is taking action. With that authorization in hand, I will direct the Westchester County Attorney to explore legal action against anyone attempting to threaten Westchester’s federal funding.
“Let’s be clear: this is about protecting Westchester. We refuse to sit back while partisan actors play political games that could cost us millions in critical federal funding. We’re fighting back—because our residents shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s political agenda.
“Section 8 of Westchester County’s Immigrant Protection Act specifically provides that it does not prevent County agencies, law enforcement authorities, or employees from complying with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, and that it does not govern the sending or receiving of information regarding the citizenship or immigration status—lawful or unlawful—of any individual.
“Additionally, the County does not willfully fail to comply with federal immigration laws. No federal civil immigration laws require the County to enforce them. Any such enforcement is voluntary—something the U.S. Attorney General has acknowledged multiple times.
“Further, the County’s Immigrant Protection Act explicitly authorizes County law enforcement agencies to communicate with federal law enforcement authorities on investigations of non-immigration-related crimes. The Act does not create a sanctuary for anyone involved in criminal conduct.
“Unlike the Federal government, Westchester County follows Judicial Orders – and we will not break laws. We are not scared of being on a ‘list’ and we are not threatened by words.”
New Local Law Targets Predatory Practices, Modern Scams
WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously passed groundbreaking legislation Monday evening to shield residents and small businesses from increasingly sophisticated scams and predatory practices.
The new local law strengthens Westchester County’s 50-year-old Consumer Protection Code by expanding prohibited conduct beyond “deceptive” and “unconscionable” actions to include “unfair” and “abusive” business practices.
Sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of 14 Board members, the legislation addresses modern threats including deed theft, AI-powered fraud schemes, subscription traps, hidden junk fees, and data breaches. Westchester’s newly enhanced protections align with federal standards that already prohibit unfair, unconscionable, abusive and deceptive practices. However, recent federal rollbacks have weakened the federal government’s enforcement authority, leaving consumers vulnerable to exploitation.
The local law improves the County’s Consumer Protection Department’s ability to investigate and oversee rogue auto towing and home improvement contracting companies and to target companies that:
It also increases daily penalties to as much as $15,000 per violation, giving enforcement sharper teeth.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D-New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said,
“This isn’t just about stopping scammers, it’s about keeping money in the pockets of working families. When companies use deceptive tactics to drain bank accounts through hidden fees and impossible-to-cancel subscriptions, they’re stealing from our neighbors, our seniors, and our small business owners. We’re sending a clear message: Westchester won’t tolerate businesses that profit by preying on people.”
Legislator Colin D. Smith (D-Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown), Chair of the Board’s Committee on Legislation and co-author of the bill, said,
“This legislation marks a major leap forward in safeguarding Westchester residents and small businesses from a new wave of scams and predatory practices that have outpaced existing laws. Whether it’s AI-driven fraud or manipulative subscription tactics, people deserve clear, fair protections. As Chair of the Legislation Committee, I’m proud to stand behind a bill that not only updates our consumer protections—it strengthens our stand against exploitation.”
Legislator David T. Imamura (D-Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington) Vice Chair of the Board’s Committee on Legislation and co-author of the bill, said,
“As the federal government ceases to enforce its consumer protection laws, Westchester County is stepping up to the plate to fill in the gap. When Washington is abandoning working people, I am proud to sponsor a bill that will safeguard Westchester residents and modernize our consumer protection laws.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James said,
“I applaud the Westchester County Legislature for passing this strong consumer protection legislation. This bill will protect small businesses from unfair tactics and ensure no one takes advantage of New Yorkers who do not speak English as their first language. As the federal government rolls back important protections for small businesses and consumers, Westchester is putting working families first. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the state legislature to follow Westchester’s lead and pass the FAIR Business Practices Act so that New Yorkers all across the state are protected from predatory lending, abusive debt collection, junk fees, and more.”
Watch the full meeting HERE.