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HEAVY FOG DOMINATED WHITE PLAINS FROM DAWN VISIBILITY ABOUT 200 FEET AT BEST. IT WAS DISSAPTING AND BY 11 A.M AND WAS DISSIPATING.
MARCH 16–CONGRESSMAN LATIMER REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON
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Dear Neighbor,
Happy Spring! It has been a busy few weeks in DC, with the President giving his first address to Congress, my first bill passing out of Committee, and my first virtual conversation with residents of Westchester and the Bronx.
I want to take a moment to honor the life of Dr. Hazel Dukes, who passed away earlier this month and was laid to rest this week. She was a President of both the national NAACP and its NY chapter and was a courageous trailblazer who left a lasting impact on our state. She will be missed but her legacy will live on.
This month is also Women’s History Month, and last week we celebrated Women’s History Day. As your member of Congress, I will continue working to protect a woman’s right to choose, support women-owned businesses, and promote equal access to quality education. This support is even more important this year. |
In DC |
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Last week I held my first district conversation, this one via Zoom, with over 800 people joining for all or part of it, and over 600 questions submitted. I am glad I was able to provide an update on what my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus are doing to stop President Trump and Elon Musk’s unconstitutional actions. I was also able to answer questions on how tariffs are affecting our local economy, the proposed Con Edison rate hike, and how we are combatting House Republican policies that could result in cuts to Medicaid.
I look forward to doing more of these conversations, both in-person and virtually, in the coming months!
Also last week, the first bill I introduced passed unanimously out of the House Small Business Committee. This bill will increase transparency and predictability for small businesses that contract with the federal government. Oftentimes small businesses put in a lot of effort and time applying for these contracts. And they deserve to know if a federal agency decides to cancel a solicitation and why. This bipartisan bill now heads to the House floor for a vote. I will keep you updated on its progress. You can watch my remarks here.
The President delivered his first address to Congress last week. I was hoping to hear him lay out his plan to help everyday Americans. You can read my full statement here.
This week I voted against the partisan government funding bill, that did not include sufficient guardrails for how federal agencies and Elon Musk can spend the money Congress appropriates. Congress needs to reassert its authority on the power of the purse and this bill gives this power away. Additionally the bill has significant cuts to housing programs for seniors and domestic violence survivors, and cuts funding for veterans’ healthcare. My priority is to make life less expensive for working families. This funding bill does not achieve that goal. It does the exact opposite. Read my full statement here. |
Meetings in DC |
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In the last two weeks, I held a number of meetings with groups from our district and across the country. These include the YMCA, local firefighters, the Tourette Association of America, and Fight Colorectal Cancer. |
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At Home: Westchester and the Bronx |
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I would like to highlight a recent win my constituent services team had helping local business owners who were the victims of identity theft perpetrated against the Small Business Administration. They lost $20,000 because of this identity theft and my staff was able to recoup this money for them.
If you need help with getting in touch with a federal agency or are struggling to receive federal benefits, my office may be able to help. Contact my White Plains or Bronx offices to start the process.
Along these lines, I am excited to announce that my casework team will be starting up mobile office hours. Their first stop is at The Doles Center in Mount Vernon on March 27th from 1-5pm. |
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Social Post of the Week |
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Floor Speeches |
Stay in Touch |
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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
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!
More soon. |
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Sincerely, |
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Rep. George Latimer Member of Congress |
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Washington D.C. Office House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 |
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Bronx Office 177 Dreiser Loop Bronx, NY 10475 |
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White Plains Office 222 Mamaroneck Ave. |
MARCH 15 –Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist A Compelling Retrospective to Open April 2 at the Neuberger Museum of Art
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Multi-media works by the artist, feminist, and cultural icon debut in
groundbreaking Museum exhibition. Ms. Langsam is shown in an
her retirement from ArtsWestchester as Executive Director last June
Tracy Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., director of the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase New York
is pleased to announce the opening of
Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist, a retrospective exhibition celebrating
the multifaceted artistic practice and career of one of the region’s most
influential artist-advocates.
Presenting a selection of the artist’s paintings, mixed-media works, and
archival materials, the exhibition offers visitors an intimate look at
Langsam’s artistic evolution before she went on to serve as New York City’s
Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and CEO of ArtsWestchester.
“This exhibition highlights Janet Langsam’s unique approach to artmaking,”
said Fitzpatrick. “The work is shaped by her personal history, cultural
shifts, and a desire to challenge conventions.”
Langsam’s artistic production was grounded in the 1960s and 70s, a time when
balancing creative aspirations with societal expectations was particularly
challenging for women.
While her work is rooted in that era’s feminist movement,
her approach to art was deeply influenced by childhood experiences
growing up in the Rockaways during the turbulence of World War II.
Frequently referring to herself as “a kid from the Rockaways,” Langsam found
sustenance in the beaches of the Rockaway peninsula-feelings that ultimately
found their way into her future paintings and collages.
The ever-changing horizon of the sky and ocean became a metaphor for possibility, stability,
and transformation-imagery that appears throughout her abstract paintings
and collages.
“No matter what is going on in the world, we can count on the
dawn and the dusk; a constant in its infinite variations, whether we are
there to observe or not,” says Langsam, who now lives in White Plains, New
York.
Inspired by the Dada movement’s reaction to chaos, Langsam embraced a
“reactionary imagination,” using found materials and everyday objects to
create work that challenged cultural norms.
From readymade assemblages of
household items to collages made from supermarket posters and magazine
images her art transformed the mundane into statements of identity,
resilience, and critique.
Before shifting her primary focus to ensuring public access to art and
securing funding for artists of all backgrounds, Langsam had already gained
public attention with a 1972 article in The New York Times.
Reflecting on that moment, Langsam noted, “It was great being featured … but I really
didn’t care for the headline. I mean, really… A Day in the Life of Nonstop
Housewife? Here I was, a leader in the community, exhibiting my artwork,
teaching…. That headline framed everything I was doing-everything I
was-within the context of being a housewife. I was a housewife, and proud of
that part of my life, but it was just one part of my life.”
Fitzpatrick underscored the significance of the exhibition, stating,
“Janet’s work embodies the spirit of resilience and transformation. Her
journey from artist to cultural icon is a testament to her unwavering
commitment to the arts and community. With this exhibition, the Neuberger
Museum of Art spotlights the body of work by an artist whose impact extends
far beyond the canvas.”
Opening April 2 with a public reception beginning at 5:30pm,
Janet Langsam: Improbable Feminist will be on view through June 29, 2025.
The exhibition is organized by the Neuberger Museum of Art and curated by
Fitzpatrick with Curatorial Assistant Rem Ribeiro. Generous support for this
exhibition has been provided by the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.
The reception is free and open to the public; advance registration is
requested
A free
drop-in tour
probable-feminist> will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 12:30pm-1:30pm.
The Neuberger Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to
5pm. Admission is always free. For more information and directions, please
visit the Museum’s website at purchase.edu/neuberger
MARCH 15–CITY ASSESSMENT ROLL IN! VERY SLIGHTLY UP! THREAT OF BILLION DOLLAR TAKE AWAY OF COMMUNITY FUNDS BY HUD THREATENS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH REHABS
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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE By John F. Bailey. March 15, 2025:
THE ROLL STAYED EVEN TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE WAS JUST ABOUT THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.
THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE COMMON COUNCIL IS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR CERTIORARI LOSSES. THEY ARE HEADED FOR A $60 MILLION INTAKE OF SALES TAX RECEIPTS IF THE PRESENT TREND CONTINUES.
THE HUD REBUILDABLE PROGRAM BUILDINGS THAT NEED REPAIRS HAS BEEN DEALT A GAME CHANGER– A BILLION DOLLAR EXPENDITURE WAS ENDED BY THE PRESIDENT WEDNESDAY AND THAT IS A BLOW TO MANY CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE BILLION DOLLAR CUT IS BEING CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS
IN THE CURRENT CITY BUDGET 2024-25 THE CITY POINTS OUT THE DREARY STATE OF ASSESSMENTS:
Assessed value has decreased by $3.0 million after decreasing $4.5 million in FY 2023-2024. Over the past ten years, the assessment roll has remained flat due to the decrease of the past two years. Much of this is due to properties that were transferred from the Assessment Roll to PILOT payments.
Until projects currently approved and/or under consideration are constructed and transfer back from PILOT payments to the Assessment Roll, it is anticipated that there will be no substantial growth in the City’s total Assessed Value.
MARCH 15–PRELIMINARY 2025-26 WHITE PLAINS SCHOOL BUDGET PRESENTED UP 4.9% TO $277 MILLION
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 15, 2025:
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS DR. JOSEPH RICCA PRESENTED THE PRELIMINARY 2025-26 SCHOOL BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RAISING IT 4.9% TO $277 MILLION FROM $266 MILLION THIS YEAR at Education House Wednesday evening.
FOR THE WHITE PLAINS HOME MEDIAN PRICED HOME OF APPROXIMATELY TO AN INCREASE ABOUT $200 FOR A HOUSE OF 17,000 DOLLARS ASSESSED VALUE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS GOVERNOR HOCHUL GUARANTEES IN HER PROPOSED 2025-26 STATE BUDGET SCHOOL AID OF EVEN MORE MONEY TO THE DISTRICT A TOTAL OF GOVERNMENT AND STATE AID OF 49.6 MILLION 18% OF REVENUES.
IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE APPROVES THIS BUDGET THE SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES THAT AID FROM THE STATE.
THE CAVEAT IS THE UNPREDICTABLE POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON AS TO WHETHER THE DEPARTMENT CUTS AID TO BIG DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA NEW YORK.
IF THE FEDERAL AID GETS SWEPT AWAY AND SENT TO RED STATES THIS WOULD MEAN THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT WITH SOME SORT OF FUND BALANCE TRANSFER TO KEEP IT INTACT OR RAISE THE SALES TAX FOR EXAMPLE.
WPCNR CONTACTED Dr. Ann Vaccaro-Teich, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations for the School District on this possibly, and she explained—
In terms of Federal Aid, we only reflect in the district’s operating budget for 2025-26 $100k for Medicaid.
The majority of the district’s federal aid is in the form of Grants that are passed through NYS from the U.S. Department of Education ($4.4m) and the reimbursement for student meals from the U.S. Department of Argriculture ($3.3m).
These are not reflected in the district’s general fund (operating fund) that is put before the voters in May. Of course, if these funds were not to be received it would have a significant impact on the district, as well as all districts.”
WPCNR NOTES, IN LIGHT OF THIS POSSIBILITY, THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT IN ANTICIPATION OF SOFT SALE TAX RECEIPTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF FUNDS COULD RAISE THE SALES TAX TO KEEP THE STATE LESS VULNERABLE FROM THE FINANCIALLY UNEXPECTED, IN CASE OF MORE FINANCIAL PRESSURE FROM THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.
THE EXPENSES REFLECT 25% MORE OBLIGATIONS FOR PENSIONS AND HEALTH CARE AND 5% STUDENT TRANSPORTATION AND 5% FOR DEBT SERVICE. DEBT SERVICE HAS DECLINED CONSIDERABLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 7 YEARS. ONLY 4 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO STAFF, ENROLLMENT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A STEADY 7,000 THROUGH 2030.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET APRIL 7 AND THE CITY WIDE BUDGET VOTE IS MAY 20.
COFFEE WITH WHITE PLAINS WEEK 8:30 EDT SATURDAY THE MARCH 14 REPORT ON FIOS CH 45 WP OPTIMUM CH 76 AND www.wocommunitymedia.org and Saturday 8:30 AM EDT
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THE CARDINAL COMES TO TOWN AT WHITE PLAINS ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
WE TAKE YOU THROUGH THE JUNGLE ON THE BOTANICAL GARDEN CANNONBALL
METRO NORTH IS THE ROAD TO RIDE. COMMUTERS COME BACK TO THE RAILS SILVER LINING OF CONGESTION TAX
QUEEN OF THE ARTS! JANET LANGSAM IS PUTTIN’ ON A SHOW AT NEUBERGER MUSEUM APRIL 2 HER PAINTINGS OF HER LIFE!
PLUS 2025 WHITE PLAINS ASSESSMENT ROLL ALWAYS A BIG EVENT!
WHITE PLAINS ECONOMICS AT MID FISCAL YEAR
GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAS TO GET SOME WORK OUT OF THE LEGISLATORS AND WHIP THEM INTO ACTION
WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS
EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK
FOR 24 YEARS
OUTSTANDING AND HE IS MILD
MARCH 18 6 PM TO 7:30 YOUR UTILITY RIGHTS EXPLAINED WEBINAR
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MARCH 12—NEW YORK RAILROADS RIDERSHIP UP STRONG. 100% ON TIME. 17% INCREASE IN RIDERS
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KEEPING NEW YORK MOVING MORE!: GOVERNOR HOCHUL CELEBRATES METRO-NORTH RAILROAD AND LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD’S ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND RIDERSHIP MILESTONES
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trains are achieving significant milestones so far in 2025, with high on-time performance records and strong ridership gains, building on record service reliability documented in 2024.
Ridership Achievements on the Commuter Rails up 17%
There was a strong rebound across several ridership categories. Commutation ridership was up 17.1 percent, including a 17.1 percent increase for monthly ticket ridership and a 17.8 percent increase for weekly ticket ridership.
Single trip ticket ridership was up 8.7 percent overall, including a 24 percent increase in peak single ticket ridership. Although off-peak single ticket ridership was down 3.4 percent, CityTicket — tickets good for one-way travel that begins and ends within New York City — ridership increased 15.8 percent.
The first two months of 2025 have seen exceptional service for Metro-North Railroad with an upward trajectory in both ridership and on-time performance, including a 100 percent on-time performance day across all three train lines on Sunday, March 9 — the 21st time the railroad has reported 100 percent on-time performance since 2023. Long Island Rail Road customers have seen record levels of on-time performance, with a 2025 year-to-date on-time performance of almost 97 percent — three percent above the established monthly goal and almost two percent over 2024’s record of 95.65 percent outside of COVID years.
“We are delivering a faster and consistently reliable mode of public transportation to riders with each milestone the commuter railroads achieve,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers know that they can depend on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains every single day — whether it’s for their daily commute to work, or for a trip to a different part of New York State.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Even with surging ridership and hundreds of trains running every day, MTA’s commuter railroads keep delivering better and better service. LIRR and Metro-North continue to set the national standard for safe and reliable mass transit.”
Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said, “The best way to keep people coming back to public transportation is to provide safe, clean and reliable service every single day and that’s what Metro-North does. Last week more than 99% of Metro-North trains operated on time. That means when our customers arrive at their station their train will be there making it easier to plan their activities for the day.”
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “Today’s announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul is a testament to the incredible progress we are making in improving transit access. The Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad are not only meeting but exceeding expectations, providing reliable service and enhancing ridership. These milestones are particularly exciting for the Bronx as our community continues to benefit from greater connectivity and more dependable transit options. As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring that our borough remains a priority in these transportation improvements and that we continue to see these positive changes for all Bronxites.”
On-Time Performance Data
Metro-North Railroad
On-time performance (OTP) for the week of February 24 through March 2 was 99 percent — marking an improvement across all three lines and meaning that almost every single train was on time. This was the ninth time since 2023 that all three of the Metro-North Railroad (Metro-North) lines operated at 99 percent or better OTP in the same week.
- Hudson Line 99.4 percent
- Harlem Line 99.2 percent
- New Haven Line 99 percent
These incredible numbers from the first two months of 2025 follow a remarkable year for the railroad in 2024 — a year that saw Metro-North’s OTP hit an all-time high, exceeding 98 percent. The Metro-North also saw an average daily ridership of 176,414 passengers the week of February 24 through March 2 — an increase of 13.8 percent from the previous week.
MARCH 11– SOLAR ADDS MORE NEW CAPACITY TO GRID IN 2024 THAN ANY ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IN PAST TWO DECADES
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION. March 11, 2025: |
| Solar and storage account for 84% of all new capacity added to the grid in 2024 |
| WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States installed a record-breaking 50 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2024, the largest single year of new capacity added to the grid by any energy technology in over two decades.
According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight 2024 Year in Review report released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, solar and storage account for 84% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid last year. In addition to historic deployment, surging U.S. solar manufacturing emerged as a landmark economic story in 2024. Domestic solar module production tripled last year, and at full capacity, U.S. factories can now produce enough to meet nearly all demand for solar panels in the United States. Solar cell manufacturing also resumed in 2024, strengthening America’s energy supply chain and cementing its place as a solar powerhouse. “Solar and storage can be built faster and more affordably than any other technology, ensuring the United States has the power needed to compete in the global economy and meet rising electricity demand,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. “America’s solar and storage industry set historic deployment and manufacturing records in 2024, creating jobs and driving economic growth. It’s critical that lawmakers continue to support an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy that fosters the growth of American energy sources like solar and storage.” Total U.S. solar capacity is expected to reach 739 GW by 2035, but the report forecasts include scenarios showing how policy changes could impact the solar market. Sudden changes to federal tax credits, supply chain availability, and permitting policy will create uncertainty for investors, increase costs for developers and manufacturers, and cause a slowdown in solar deployment. The low case forecast shows a 130 GW decline in solar deployment over the next decade compared to the base case, representing nearly $250 billion of lost investment. A slowdown at this scale could leave the U.S. without the electricity needed to meet rising demand, threatening growth in the manufacturing and technology sectors that rely on abundant power. Many of the fastest-growing solar states such as Texas, Indiana, and Florida would see the largest declines in deployment under the low-case scenario. Texas alone could lose out on over $50 billion of solar investment over the next decade. “Last year’s record-level of installations was aided by several solar policies and credits within the Inflation Reduction Act that helped drive interest in the solar market,” said Sylvia Levya Martinez, Principal Analyst, North America Utility-Scale Solar for Wood Mackenzie. “We still have many challenges ahead, including unprecedented load growth on the power grid. If many of these policies were eliminated or significantly altered, it would be very detrimental to the industry’s continued growth.” Texas led all states for new solar capacity additions last year, replicating a record-setting 2023 with 11.6 GW of new installations. In total, 21 states set new annual installation records, and 13 states added over 1 GW of new solar capacity in 2024. The utility-scale segment saw historic gains in 2024, growing by 33% year-over-year with a record 41.4 GW of installed capacity. The community and commercial solar markets also set annual records, growing by 35% and 8%, respectively. The residential solar market experienced its lowest year of installations since 2021 due to state-level policy changes and elevated interest rates nationally. Forecasts show that the market is expected to rebound over the next decade. Learn more at seia.org/smi. ### |
| About SEIA®:
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org |
MARCH 10 —BOARD OF LEGISLATORS
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