ASSEMBLYWOMAN SHIMSKY CALLS FOR CITIZENS TO DEMAND PSC REJECT CON ED RATE INCREASE DOUBLING INFLATION

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER MARCH 8, 2025:

 

District 92 | News You Can Use

 

Fighting Con Ed Rate Increases 

Since learning of Con Edison’s proposed 2026 rate hikes — 11.4% for electricity and 13.3% for natural gas —

I have been participating in multiple efforts to object to their filing with the NY State Public Service Commission (PSC).

The matter will remain before the PSC in a multi-month review process, throughout which I will continue to work individually,

with the Legislature’s Westchester delegation, and with our nonprofit partners to urge the PSC to reject Con Ed’s request.

An increase of this size would place an unacceptable cost burden on New York taxpayers, compounding prior increases that have

already outpaced wages and compounded the pressures of global inflation. Meanwhile, Con Ed has enjoyed record profits.

It is both unfair and unsustainable for those who have no choice but to pay for Con Ed’s service. Rather than attempting to squeeze everyday New Yorkers yet again, Con Ed should economize or self-fund a greater portion of the costs for its maintenance and improvement projects.

While I continue to pursue this matter, I encourage my constituents to file individual complaints with the PSC
at their soonest opportunity. To do so, visit dps.ny.gov/file-search, enter case number 25-E-0072,
and click Post Comments in the upper right to access the comments form.

 


 

Women’s History Month

The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” With that in mind, I want to express my appreciation to all our women educators, counselors, and mentors for their role in building a strong society where equality is embodied and valued. Your dedication to preparing the next generation is of the utmost importance for our world and our shared future.

To kick off Women’s History Month, I delivered a talk last Sunday at the Hastings-on-Hudson Public Library on the burgeoning crisis

in women’s health care. The medical research community has only recently recognized that women’s bodies respond to diseases and

treatments differently from their male counterparts.

The progress we make in improving outcomes for women will rely on women having parity as practitioners, researchers, and subjects

in the studies. This applies not only to the treatment of reproductive and maternal health, but to heart disease

(the leading cause of death among women), cancer, stroke, asthma, ADHD, and other issues spanning the range of care.

  
Speaking at the Hastings-on-Hudson Public Library about the burgeoning crisis in women’s health.

Below are some upcoming Women’s History Month events in Westchester County. You can also learn about women’s history and

events statewide from the New York State Museum at nysm.nysed.gov/womens-histoy-resources and from

Revolutionary Westchester 250’s March Newsletter.

 


MorDance: Echoes of Silence
5-8 PM, Friday, March 7
Hudson River Museum, Yonkers

MorDance’s Echoes of Silence is an immersive ballet honoring influential female singer-songwriters from the 1960s and 1970s.

Starting at 6 PM, the dancers will perform at various locations throughout the museum, with live music by a solo guitarist and vocalist,

culminating in a collective performance in the Middle Level galleries. This event is part of the Hudson River Museum’s “Free First Fridays”

program.

 


Celebrating Women’s History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton
10:30-11:30 AM, Saturday, March 8
Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford

St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site will celebrate Women’s History Month with “Women and the American Revolution,”

a program featuring short, first-person re-enactments that reflect the diversity of experiences of Peggy Shippen Arnold,

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Abigail Adams, Phoebe Ward, and Anna Ward.

 


Women and the American Revolution
1 PM, Saturday, March 8
St. Paul’s Church, Mount Vernon

St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site will celebrate Women’s History Month with “Women and the American Revolution,”

a program featuring short, first-person re-enactments depicting the diverse experiences of Peggy Shippen Arnold,

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Abigail Adams, Phoebe Ward, and Anna Ward.

 


UNA-Westchester International Women’s Day
2-4 PM, Sunday, March 9
Mahattanville College, Purchase, and via Zoom

The United Nations Association of Westchester’s International Women’s Day event will feature keynote speaker Liz Abzug,

Founder and Executive Director of the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, and honor Westchester Women’s Agenda,

Zonta Club of New Rochelle, and the Child Care Council of Westchester.

This hybrid event will be presented in person at Manhattanville College and via Zoom

 


 

New Laws in March

Effective Date

Chapter

Summary

3/11/2025

Ch. 550 of 2024
A6168A / S5992A

Ch. 39 of 2025
A1019 / S758

Ch. 43 of 2025
A1026 / S809

Requires the Department of Health to require all maternal healthcare facilities to include and/or post on the maternal healthcare facility’s webpage, lobby, and patient waiting areas information stating a birthing parent is allowed to have a doula present for delivery and/or inpatient care post-delivery except during emergencies or when such access could compromise the safety of the patient or health care team.

3/13/2025

Ch. 554 of 2024
A117A / S3230A

Adds additional factors to be considered by the Department of Health for applications for a license to operate a bank or storage facility for embryos to ensure their safety, including the ability to monitor and record temperature, establishing a chain of custody, and safeguarding patient records.

3/13/2025

Ch. 557 of 2024
S7125-A/A5073-A

Ch. 64 of 2025
A2056 / S2670

Prohibits mortgagees from requiring mortgagors of certain residential real property to purchase flood insurance exceeding the lesser of the replacement value of the property or outstanding principal mortgage balance as of the beginning of the year, or that includes coverage for contents.

3/13/2025

Ch. 560 of 2024
A7516A / S9283

Ch. 35 of 2025
A927 / S763

Requires the Department of Health to include information on congenital heart defect births in its health care and wellness education and outreach program.

3/13/2025

Ch. 561 of 2024
A9169A / S7781A

Ch. 63 of 2025
A1676 / S764

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish an annual heat mitigation plan to ensure the safety and wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and correctional staff; directs the extreme heat action plan work group of the Department of Environmental Conservation to analyze the impact of extreme heat on incarcerated individuals and people working in prisons and developing plans to establish cooling stations and evaporative fans in these facilities.

3/13/2025

Ch. 571 of 2024
A1390 / S1160

Allows school districts to hold elections, board votes and annual meetings in any building owned or leased by the district, in addition to any district schoolhouse, as long as they comply with ADA accessibility standards.

3/13/2025

Ch. 573 of 2024
A5803B / S4674A

Creates a Parkinson’s disease registry and directs certain health professionals and general hospitals to report instances of Parkinson’s disease and related conditions to the Department of Health.

3/13/2025

Ch. 574 of 2024
A4199 / S5502

Ch. 23 of 2025
A693 / S770

Provides crime victims with an informational sheet explaining their rights, such as being notified when the offender is released from a correctional facility or has a parole hearing, as well as contact information for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Office of Victim Assistance.

3/13/2025

Ch. 575 of 2024
A3498A / S5808A

Increases various fixed fees for the provision of certain services by a sheriff to reflect the rate of inflation.

3/17/2025

Ch. 600 of 2024
A5004 / S4393

Requires fentanyl test strips and information about their use to be provided within DOH opioid overdose prevention programs.

3/21/2025

Ch. 608 of 2024
A2833 / S5615

Ch. 12 of 2025
A426 / S2671 

Directs that state agencies require that procurement of personal computing goods, services and solutions meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework to prevent cyberattacks.

3/21/2025

Ch. 612 of 2024
A4098B / S4305B

Directs the wireless service industry to report on current and future plans to pursue renewable energy technology to power macrocells.

3/21/2025

Ch. 613 of 2024
A4737B / S2376B

Ch. 30 of 2025
A920 / S785

Adds medical and health insurance information within the definitions of identity theft.

3/21/2025

Ch. 616 of 2024
A6799B / S8965A

Ch. 37 of 2025
A1017 / S786

Establishes a drug-induced movement disorder screening education program to educate the public about the importance of screening for drug-induced movement disorders, develop and distribute educational materials for healthcare providers regarding treatment for drug-induced movement disorders, and eliminate bias and reduction of stigma for people living with drug-induced movement disorders related to the treatment of mental health conditions.

3/21/2025

Ch. 619 of 2024
A7184A / S3283A

Ch. 29 of 2025
A916 / S788

Makes technical and clarifying amendments to the Family Health Care Decisions Act regarding health care agents and proxies and nonhospital orders not to resuscitate.

3/21/2025

Ch. 620 of 2024
A7194 / S3176

Provides for certificates of relief from disabilities issued by courts or by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to have the same standards as certificates of good conduct.

3/21/2025

Ch. 6 of 2025
A917 / S784

Terminates the subsidies provided to a parent who adopts a disabled or hard to place child if the child re-enters foster care or if the parents previously voluntarily suspended the rights to the child.

3/22/2025

Ch. 501 of 2024
A6637 / S940

Prohibits employers and educational institutions from requiring an applicant to provide a copy of his or her criminal history record.

3/22/2025

Ch. 524 of 2024
A10384 / S9246

Requires Boards of Visitors under the jurisdiction of OPWDD to make information about elected board members, by-laws, meetings and other activities available to the public online.

3/24/2025

Ch. 356 of 2024
A9407A / S9021A

Provides supplemental spousal liability insurance coverage for the spouse of an insured who has indicated that they have a spouse on their auto insurance application.

3/25/2025

Ch. 540 of 2024
A28C / S509B

Requires restaurants that offer online delivery services via the internet or mobile application to post a hyperlink to view recent sanitary inspection grades on their website.

3/26/2025

Ch. 338 of 2024
A3866B / S220B

Requires NYCHA to notify residents of interruptions in gas service and work expeditiously to restore service.

3/26/2025

Ch. 386 of 2024
A8304B / S7748C

Authorizes the sale of wireless communications equipment protection plans by licensed wireless communication

equipment vendors and requires certain notices and consumer protections.

 


 

REAL ID 

The deadline to get your REAL ID is rapidly approaching. Starting May 7, 2025, all residents will be required to have a

REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings, unless you have a valid passport.

For more information and a list of necessary documents, visit dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id.

 


 

NYS Unclaimed Funds 

Banks, insurance companies, corporations, and the courts are among the many organizations required by law to report dormant accounts

to the NY State Comptroller. These organizations must attempt to notify you by mail and publish the information in newspapers. Despite these efforts, many funds remain unclaimed and are turned over to the Office of the State Comptroller. The New York State Comptroller’s Office currently has over $19 billion in lost money waiting to be claimed by New York State residents. To research or submit a claim for unclaimed funds, visit osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.

 


 

New York State Jobs

Did you know that New York State has more than 7,000 current job openings in a range of career fields,

with a number of those opportunities in Westchester County?

These are jobs that come with competitive salaries, flexible schedules, paid parental leave, and excellent pension,

health, dental, and vision benefits. To learn more and view listings, visit ny.gov/wewantyou.

 


 

Westchester County Seasonal Job Fair

Explore Westchester County Parks’ seasonal job offerings — and apply and interview on the spot — on Saturday, March 15,

from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Positions are available for Nature Camp Counselors, Recreation Attendants, Lifeguards, and more.

Locations span the more than 50 facilities in Westchester County’s Parks system. Learn more at

parks.westchestergov.com/seasonal-job-fair.

 


 

Senior Law Day

Do you wonder if you should update your will, or have a will at all? Or, whether your plans for home care or spending should change

as costs for Medicare and other essentials increase in 2025? The next Senior Law Day event will be held virtually on on

Thursday, March 13, from 10 AM to noon. Attorneys, geriatric care managers, and financial planners will be available to meet

privately via Zoom, at no cost and no obligation. Register for 15-minute time slots at www.seniorlawday.info starting 7 AM

on Wednesday, March 12.

 


 

Westchester County 
Amateur Photo Contest

The Greenburgh Library Guild has announced the 16th Annual Westchester County Amateur Photo Contest.

This juried contest offers cash prizes for adults and high school students, plus exhibition at the library’s

Howard and Ruth Jacobs Family Gallery.

Submissions will be accepted from March 15–31, in accordance with contest rules and restrictions.

Learn more at greenburghlibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=79112180.

 


 

Out & About

 
Discussing our schools’ needs with representatives of the Yonkers Council of PTAs/PTSAs and the teachers’ union NYSUT.

 
Meeting with the healthcare workers of 1199 SEIU.

 
Rallying for local road funding with the Constructions Industry Council of Westchester and the 
state and regional associations of town and highway superintendents.

 
Honoring district residents Andrea Reed and Douglass Alligood at the 
National Council of Negro Women’s Changemakers of Westchester County Awards.


Attending a unity mass at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yonkers and 
welcoming the start of Ramadan at Ardsley’s crescent lighting event.

 


 

Local Weekend Events

Saturday, March 8:

Sunday, March 9

 

Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend — 
Daylight Savings Time starts at 2 AM on Sunday, March 9!

 


 

If my office can be of assistance to you, please respond to this email or call 914-631-1605.

Best wishes,

 

MaryJane Shimsky
Assemblymember 92nd District

 

Follow Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky here on Facebook for additional news from Albany and the District 92 communities of Mount Pleasant, Greenburgh, and northwest Yonkers.

If you would like to unsubscribe and stop receiving emails from this Assemblymember click

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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, NPRNBC, 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, FacebookBlueskyTwitter/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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