MARCH 6 — GOV. HOCHUL: $ 5 BILLION IN CUTS?!? DISMANTLING EDUCATION! THIS MUST STOP. I WANT TO SHAME THEM WITH EVERYTHING THEY’RE CONTEMPLATING AND DOING, AND SAYING DON’T DO THIS TO OUR KIDS.”

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Governor Hochul  took on the reality of dismantiling the education department today:

“If we stop these investments now, then we’re basically saying, ‘We give up. We’re not even going to compete.’ I’m not going to stand for that here in the State of New York. So, as always, I’m calling on teachers and advocates and parents and students. Use your voices and stand up and scream from the mountaintops. This must stop. And I want to shame them with everything they’re contemplating and doing, and saying, ‘Don’t do this to our kids. I’m New York’s first mom Governor, so anything that happens to our children is personal to me.’ So that’s my message from New York.”

 “What does this mean for a place like New York? Five billion dollars in cuts. We’re talking about billions of dollars lost in Pell Grants, money for kids with disabilities, programs that are helping our kids in rural areas, and mental health. I mean, what they’re doing is saying our kids don’t matter.”

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined a virtual press conference with education leaders on President Trump’s Executive Order dismantling the Department of Education.

VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

 Denise, thank you so much. And I know we’ll be hearing from Becky Pringle. I want to thank her for extraordinary work as the president of NEA.

And also joining you is someone that I’m extremely fond of, Barack Obama’s Secretary of Education, who I was able to snag to become our Chancellor of our entire State University System, Chancellor John King. So you do have an all-star cast here. 

But I think about casts and performances. Think about the fact that Donald Trump could have picked anybody he wanted to be the Secretary of Education. A lot of talented people out there who are dedicated to our children. Now, who did he pick? He picked a pro-wrestling mogul who is in the process of body slamming our Department of Education.

So, what does that mean for a place like New York? Five billion dollars in cuts. We’re talking about billions of dollars lost in Pell Grants, money for kids with disabilities, programs that are helping our kids in rural areas, and mental health. I mean, what they’re doing is saying our kids don’t matter. What’s more important is that we slash for the sake of slashing, and also be able to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

So instead of supporting a math class, they’re supporting tax breaks for the buddies at Mar-a-Lago.

So that’s the reality we’re dealing with here in New York.

And I have to give some news to everybody — and this is a message from all the governors:

We’re not going to be able to backfill losses like this scale — $5 billion.

So the children are going to suffer.

But there’s only one way to reverse this before the next presidential election, and that is in the midterms.

That is what happens in 2026, and that’s another whole topic, but that’s what I’m laser focused on is building a firewall in the House of Representatives at least, and possibly the Senate, so we can stop the insanity and put our focus on the kids.

What we do now with this generation of kids is going to make a difference for generations to come because it’s an investment in the future workforce. And we are in global competition with other countries. And if we stop these investments now, then we’re basically saying, “We give up. We’re not even going to compete.”

So that’s my message from New York.

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MARCH 6 — “PULL THE PLUG” PSC: COUNTY EXECUTIVE JENKINS DEMANDS HEARINGS ON CON ED PROPOSED DOUBLE INFLATION RATE HIKES

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COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN JENKINS CONDEMNS CON EDISON’S PROPOSED RATE HIKES, DEMANDS PUBLIC HEARING IN WESTCHESTER

 

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, who has been calling out Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes as a blatant cash grab, will be participating in the Public Service Commission online hearing in the beginning of April.

He is also demanding that Con Edison hold an in-person hearing in Westchester County, giving residents and business owners a direct platform to voice their concerns and get answers.

Jenkins said: “The Public Service Commission should pull the plug on this proposal and demand a plan that actually works for consumers, not just Con Ed’s bottom line. While we all recognize the need for reliable energy and infrastructure improvements, passing excessive costs onto consumers—especially without transparency and accountability—is simply unacceptable.”

Con Edison’s proposed rate hike for 2026 is being reviewed by the New York State Public Service Commission.

The proposed increase would see electricity rates rise by 11.4% and natural gas rates by 13.3% in 2026. The Public Service Commission will decide on the final rates after a months-long process.

Jenkins continued: “Westchester families and businesses deserve to be heard. If Con Edison truly believes this rate hike is justified, they should face the public and explain their reasoning.”

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TONIGHT AT 8 ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” 7 SATURDAY ON FIOS CH 45, OPTIMUM CH 76. DAN WELSH OF SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER ON FIXED RATES FOR GREEN POWER AND FUTURE OF SOLAR, WIND, WATER POWER

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EXCLUSIVE!

THE POWER STORY

THE PUSH FOR RETURN TO FOSSIL FUELS AND EFFECT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY GROWTH

 

SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER PROGRAM DIRECTOR  DAN WELSH ON

FUTURE FIXED RATES FOR SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER COMMUNITIES INCLUDING WHITE PLAINS AND THE PUSH FOR RETURN TO FOSSIL FUELS AND NATURAL GAS EXPANSION

WILL RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLAR, WIND, WATER  POWER CONTINUE TO GROW?

 

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MARCH 6 — TELL THE FCC HANDS OFF BROADCASTERS’ FREE SPEECH

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. MARCH 6, 2024

Hey – I know there’s a ton going on but I wanted to flag this story about the upcoming deadline for comments on the FCC’s news distortion investigation.

A group of civil society organizations, including Fight for the Future, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Demand Progress, and Common Cause, has been calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prioritize free expression and media freedom over censorship in response to the agency’s news distortion investigation. Through NoFCCSpeechPolice.org, this group has mobilized almost 10,000 public comments.

The context: In February 2025, Trump’s FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, reopened an investigation into a news distortion complaint regarding CBS’ “60 Minutes” interview with then Vice President Kamala Harris. This followed accusations from the Trump campaign in October 2024 that CBS deliberately manipulated the interview to favor Harris. Alongside reopening this investigation, Carr has launched investigations into other media outlets: PBS, NPR, NBC, and ABC. These moves raise serious concerns about government overreach, censorship of free speech and the erosion of media freedom under this administration.

The FCC is supposed to be an independent, nonpartisan agency with a mandate to protect the public interest when it comes to media and Internet policy, not to be used as a political tool. It is disconcerting to see the FCC being weaponized against political opponents and media outlets President Trump doesn’t like.

“This proceeding sets a dangerous precedent for government interference with media freedom. It is a slippery slope that only leads to censorship, suppression of dissent, and the erosion of First Amendment rights. We should all be deeply concerned about this and take action to oppose it. Now more than ever, it is important that we stand together to defend the right to free expression and say no to the government policing speech and journalism. This is about more than just media regulation—it’s about safeguarding our democracy. A free and fair media that serves the public interest is crucial to that.” said Eseohe Ojo, Campaigner at Fight for the Future.

To this end, Fight for the Future has created a user-friendly tool to make it easy for individuals  to take action and submit comments to the FCC before the March 7 deadline. We are urging the public to use NoFCCSpeechPolice.org to take action and make their voices heard.

Thanks,

Eseohe Ojo (she/her)

Campaigner, Fight for the Future

ese@fightforthefuture.org

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MARCH 4 — 3-YEAR-OLD SAFE AFTER WESTCHESTER LED SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT

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SUSAN CACACE
WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

MARCH 4, 2025

 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace lauded the multi-jurisdictional effort that resulted in the rescue Wednesday of a 3-year-old toddler, who had been missing since early February.

DA Cacace said: “I am relieved to hear that investigators from my office located this child and that he was found in good health. Our office worked day and night to determine his whereabouts and bring him to safety. I commend the work of our partners in law enforcement and social services who helped bring about this tremendous result.”

In early February, the child and his mother disappeared from a temporary housing facility in Westchester County. Investigators with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office launched a round-the-clock search effort that spanned four counties and two states, working in close partnership with multiple police departments and social services agencies.

The toddler was ultimately located at his maternal grandmother’s home in Queens. He was dirty but was otherwise in apparent good health. He was taken to Westchester Medical Center for a precautionary evaluation.

The mother and her boyfriend were taken into custody on numerous, outstanding arrest warrants for various larceny charges.

DA Cacace wishes to recognize the work of the following individuals for their diligence in locating the child: Chief Criminal Investigator Andy Grascia, Deputy Chief Criminal Investigator Wade Hardy, Senior Investigator Latheia Smith, Investigators Marecia Baltimore, Marie D’Angelo, Rachel Dragos and Naomi Jimenez, Crime Analysts Toni Garcia and Alessia Vicari, Child and Elder Abuse Bureau Chief Christine Hatfield, Assistant District Attorneys Alexandra Kontos and Wendy Parra, Special Prosecutions Division Chief Fredric Green and Investigations Information Coordinator Melissa Sheeley.

DA Cacace further wishes to recognize the work of the following partner agencies for their invaluable assistance on this case: the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Yonkers Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the Paterson Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Social Services, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s Real Time Crime Unit and My Sisters’ Place.
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MARCH 4– CONGRESSMAN GEORGE LATIMER REPORTS TO DISTRICT 16

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Rep. George Latimer's header image

Dear Neighbor,

 

It has been a busy few weeks at home in the district and in Washington, DC. I attended a bunch of events throughout the 16th District, and stood with my Democratic colleagues against significant Medicaid and SNAP cuts in House Republicans’ budget plan.

Town Hall Announcement

But first, I have heard from many of you that a town hall would be helpful during these uncertain times. I am holding my first quarterly town hall on Wednesday at 6:30pm. I look forward to hearing your concerns and talking about the President’s address to Congress, which is tonight. You can RSVP here.

Critical Program Funding

In Congress recently, the House voted on the Republicans’ budget plan that would make serious cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. This was very frustrating, but I am glad that my Democratic colleagues and I stood together in voting against this resolution. We brought attention to this important issue on the House steps with Leader Jeffries on Tuesday (photo of my view below), and will keep working hard to prevent these cuts from becoming law. According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 196,000 residents in NY-16 rely on Medicaid and could be at risk of losing coverage, including 73,000 children.

 

You can watch my floor speech about this week’s vote here.

Share Your Story

My office has heard from dozens of New Yorkers who have been affected by the policy decisions of the current Administration. House Democrats have launched a portal for people to share their stories and help us localize the impact of the policies. If you or someone you know has a story to share, submit it here.

Ukraine War Anniversary

Last week marked three years since Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was an attack on democracy, and the people of Ukraine have paid in blood every day for the promise of freedom. We support peace, but there cannot be an agreement on Ukraine’s future without Ukraine. That was true three years ago and remains true now.

 

I recently participated in mass at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers, in solidarity with Ukrainian Americans and the Ukrainian people. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to stand with Ukraine and their battle for democracy and freedom. You can watch my floor speech talking about our declining standing in world affairs here.

At Home: Westchester and the Bronx

Last month I was joined by advocates from the League of Women Voters, AFL-CIO and the NAACP for a press conference on the Safeguard American Voting Eligibility (SAVE) Act, or as I like to call it, the Stop All Voter Engagement Act. Read our full press release here.

 

The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or a passport to register to vote and require states to remove an individual’s registration from a voter roll if there is not documentary proof or verified information that the person is a U.S. citizen. U.S. citizens have the right to vote in national elections, period. We should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. This disastrous bill will make it harder for women and college students to vote if it becomes law. We expect a House vote on it in the next few weeks.

You may have heard that the Social Security Administration is planning to close the hearing office in White Plains in May. At a time when the current administration is implementing policies that are slashing government services, closing the hearing office will force seniors to travel long distances – as far away as New Haven and Albany – to fight for their benefits.

 

I have been speaking with county officials, and we have identified several locations that might be amenable to the SSA to keep these critical services in the community it has served for several decades. I hope to have more information to announce soon! You can watch my floor speech on this topic here and my recent statement here.

Events round-up

I recently joined Councilman Riley’s Black History Month luncheon, honoring several local seniors for their years of community service. I also swung by the Tuckahoe Senior Center and provided an update to what I am working on in DC.

In DC, I met with the Ambassador to the U.S. from Kosovo, the Autism Society CEO, and attended the meeting for the bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism. I also attended several briefings and hearings for the House Foreign Affairs and Small Business Committees.

Assisting the district

One of the responsibilities of my district staff is helping residents like you navigate the bureaucratic federal government. If you need a passport, aren’t receiving the correct VA or Medicare benefits, or have an issue with the IRS, my staff may be able to help. You can contact us here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call 914-323-5550 (Westchester) or 718-530-7888 (Bronx).

My office recently announced that it is now now taking programmatic and language requests for the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. Ensuring the appropriate funding levels for federal programs can increase the availability of resources for transportation and water infrastructure projects, healthcare research, early childhood education, and SNAP. I encourage municipalities and non-profits to submit requests through our process.

On the House Floor

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Stay in Touch

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe

I always appreciate your ideas and opinions. That two-way dialogue is important, now more than ever before. So please reach out.

More soon.

Sincerely,
Rep. George Latimer's signature image

Rep. George Latimer

Member of Congress
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MARCH 4 — WESTCHESTER NEW COVID CASES PLUNGE 109% FIRST 2 MONTHS OF 2025

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SPREAD RATE STABLE ON DECLINE 1 PERSON INFECTED INFECTS 1 OTHER.

 

WPCNR COVID SURVEILLANCE. Data from NY State Covid Tracker. Observation and Analysis by John F. Bailey. March 4, 2024:

Westchester residents lowered new covid infections in the county to 4,439 new covid cases in January-February this year compared to 10,837 the first two months of 2024.

The rate of 1 newly infected person spreading it to other persons stabilized over the  first 2 months of this year to 1 new infectee infecting 1 other person, this despite the February vacation week, Valentine’s Day and Presidential holidays.

Last March the county was reported with 1,339 infections. The county may  get down to that level of new infections, THIS MONTH but we shall see.

Weekend spreading of the disease continues to inflate positives Monday through Friday,

In the last 4 weeks February saw 1,917 new cases, 69 a day.

However, the most positives WEEKLY continued to test positive in the 5 days of Monday through Friday, averaging 63 a day, with 90 positives showing up the first 2 days Monday and Tuesday.

In January of this year, the county reduced infections of covid 67% from last January total of 7,514. The January 2025 infections were 2,522. That works out to 81 new infections a day for 31 days in January. The five days Monday through Friday were heavy with new positives for the 5 days after weekends, averaging 70 a day.

There were 9 days with over 100 positives in January 2025

January 2, 2025: 104

January 3, 2025: 117

January 13 : 111

January 21: 109

January 22: 100

January 23: 116

January 27: 128

January 28: 104

January 30: 101

 

There were only two days in February with over 100 new infections in Westchester: February 4, 105 and February 11, 111.

Socializing continues to be the key factor in spreading the disease.

Editer’s Note: In a related health development,  reported by the Epoch Times website, the Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy,Jr., has ordered a 90-Day delay  to review the manufacture of a new oral covid vaccine.

On the Flu front, the Center for Disease Control has postponed for 90 days, a meeting to determine the flu strains to be included in the new flu vaccine for the fall. The strains have been recommended by the World Health Organization that President Trump has decided to withdraw America from membership. The two developments raise the the question, with the delay, will the vaccines (oral for covid) and the new flu vaccine will be here in time. Editor’s Note: This year flu infections in the Northeast have been the highest in 15 years, so if the flu vaccine is late, any substantial delay in deciding on the flu strains covered by the new vaccine could possibly make for larger numbers of flu cases next fall and winter.

 

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MARCH 3– Hartsdale’s Maria Regina High School Marching Band Will Again Be Only All-Girls Ensemble to Participate in 2025 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Monday, March 17

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Talented Musicians Will Also Perform in Area Parades Honoring Patron Saint of Ireland in City of Yonkers, City of White Plains, Throggs Neck and Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown

HARTSDALE, NEW YORK (MARCH 3, 2025) 

For the fourth consecutive year, Maria Regina High School’s first-ever marching band, established in 2021, will again stand out as the only all-girls ensemble to participate in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 11 AM, Monday, March 17.

The talented musicians from the renowned all-girl Catholic high school will repeat the distinct honor of performing in the oldest (dating to 1762) and largest parade in the world honoring the patron saint of Ireland. They will join thousands of marchers from throughout the New York metro area and pass His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who will review the procession from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.

Maia Regina’s band and its music director, Steven Finkelstein, will be accompanied by a contingent of the school’s students, parents, alumnae and members of the administration and faculty. As many as two million spectators are expected to line both sides of the route from 44th Street to 79th Street.

As in prior years, Maria Regina’s popular marching band has been invited to participate in several community St. Patrick’s Day parades. They are:

●       City of White Plains, 12 noon, Saturday, March 8.  His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, is scheduled to preside as Grand Marshal.

●       Throggs Neck, morning, Sunday March 16

●        Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, 1:30 PM, Sunday, March 16

●       City of Yonkers at 1 PM, Saturday, March 22.

 

Principal Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of ’99), said: “Once again, Maria Regina High School is excited and honored that our amazing musicians will share in the joy of this year’s festive St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, delighting crowds with their distinctive musicianship, precision marching and smart, colorful attire,” adding: “It’s no surprise they get some of the loudest cheers when they perform.”

Members of the Maria Regina marching band are:

BELLS

 

Francesca Costa, Yonkers

Sabrina Boyko, Yonkers

Kailyn Quinones, Yonkers

Naomi Castellanos, Port Chester

 

DRUMS

 

Kelly Cambillo, White Plains

Annelise Ramos, Bronx

Isabella Rosa, Bronx

Skyla Fred, Bronx

Diamond Ogebolu, Elmsford

Nicolina Galaz, White Plains

Celeste Korcz, Peekskill

Juliette Ianni, Ridgefield, CT

 

BANNER CARRIERS:

Krista Taylor, Bronx and Carmella Alcantara, Mount Vernon will carry the banner for the White Plains and New York City parades.

 

Erin Leatham, Yonkers and Katherine Sandoval, Yonkers will carry the banner for the Throggs Neck and Eastchester parades

 

In addition to parades, Maria Regina’s marching band participates in pep rallies, school concerts, and open houses, performing patriotic favorites, marches, and the school song.

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