John,

Another month has flown by in the Empire State! 

As New Yorkers across the state get ready for a Thanksgiving and holiday season full of memories with friends and family, we’ve been hard at work to make life a little easier – from keeping telemarketers at bay to protecting New Yorkers from attacks on their rights and freedoms. 

The Latest From the Empire State 

Standing up to retail theft. I joined Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to announce the take-down of a retail theft ring stretching from Kew Gardens to the Dominican Republic — and the first-ever charges under our new anti-retail theft law. Our five-point plan to fight organized retail theft is working, and we're going to keep collaborating with local law enforcement to curb these crimes and protect the public. 

Launching the Empire State Freedom Initiative to support New Yorkers under a new Presidential administration. I’m ready to work with President-elect Trump to make life more affordable for New Yorkers – and it’s why I’ve called on him to eliminate the SALT deduction cap and keep laws in place that are creating thousands of jobs – but I will not stand for any efforts to undermine New Yorkers’ rights. 

Putting out fires. The historic lack of rain this autumn has led to an increased risk for wildfires and droughts. We’ve seen this in Orange and Ulster counties, where firefighters and first responders from across the state have been tirelessly battling the largest wildfire in New York since 2008. I visited them to express our immense gratitude for their work.  

Keeping domestic violence victims safe. Melanie Chianese’s life was tragically cut short because a legal loophole put her in danger. I joined her family to sign Melanie’s Law, which will expand protections for domestic abuse victims and save lives. 

We also announced…

• The opening of applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program! Eligible New Yorkers can get up to $1,000 to cover heating bills, $4,000 to repair a boiler, and $8,000 for a boiler replacement. 
• $23.5 million to fight crime in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County.   
• New initiatives to strengthen the partnership between New York and Puerto Rico.  

New York Moment

Transforming lives. That’s what our historic local hiring initiative is doing for Syracuse residents who are working on the I-81 Viaduct Project. 

A special edition of Ask the Gov! Young New Yorkers have questions. I have answers.  

Submit your questions for my next video at ny.gov/askthegov. 

Keeping New Yorkers warm. Our Home Energy Assistance program is helping people like Venetta Davis pay their heating bills. 

• New Yorkers overwhelmingly stood up for women’s rights this month by voting Proposition 1 into law.
• We need all hands on deck to tackle our housing crisis. That’s why we invested $1 billion to build affordable housing and make the “City of Yes” plan a reality. 
• No matter what lies ahead for our nation and planet, New York will always stand up for our fundamental freedoms
• From arts and culture to climate resiliency and investments in our young people, New York’s bond with Puerto Rico is unbreakable  
• Thank you to our team who worked tirelessly to make sure Election Day in New York was safe and secure  
• Suffs on Broadway tells us so much about our past and our present. See it before it ends in January! 

News to Know

• Gov. Hochul announces expanded healthcare coverage to more than 800,000 children in NY (WGRZ) 
• New York launches NYX Initiative to improve public services (CNY Homepage) 
• Full Amtrak service between Albany and NYC to be restored (The Daily Gazette) 
• New York doubles funding for local government efficiency projects (CBS 6) 
• New York Gov. Hochul signs legislation allowing greater access to fluoride treatments for kids (ABC 7) 
• It is now illegal in New York to forcibly remove someone’s kippah (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) 
  

While we may be entering the holiday season, my work on behalf of New Yorkers isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Keep an eye out for updates on my State of the State address, where I’ll be laying out my vision for our next year together as we continue our efforts to make our state more affordable and livable for all New York families.  

Ever Upward, 

Gov. Kathy Hochul 

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