John,

Our children are growing up with more distractions than ever, and it’s taking a serious toll on their focus, mental health, and well-being. That’s why I took action against addictive social media feeds – and it’s why our schools are now going distraction-free. Starting this fall, New York will be the largest state in the nation with bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 public schools.

As we approach the new school year, I've been holding roundtables across the state to hear from school districts and teachers about their plans to implement smartphone restrictions and deliver the best results for our kids.

When they're not beholden to their cell phones during the school day, students will be able to focus on the most important things at school: Getting a great education and making real, in-person connections with their peers. Learn more about how we’re helping school districts across the state get ready for this distraction-free future.

The Latest From the Empire State 

Building more housing. All across New York, we're building a stronger, more affordable future — and Brooklyn is no exception. Construction is now underway on Innovative Urban Village: a 385-unit affordable housing project with space for a fresh food grocery store.

The fight against gun violence. A shooter wearing body armor entered a Midtown Manhattan office tower and killed four including Detective Didarul Islam, one of New York’s finest. Enough is enough. Weapons meant for battlefields should never end up in our neighborhoods — and yet they still do. It’s time for a national assault weapons ban before more lives are lost.

The GOP’s Big Ugly Bill. President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill guts Medicaid and SNAP — costing New York billions, stripping health coverage from over 1.5 million people, and putting nearly 300,000 families at risk of losing food assistance. I stood with Rep. Pat Ryan to sound the alarm. Washington may have turned its back on working families. We never will.

Saving Lives in New York Schools. At Buffalo Bills Training Camp, I signed Desha’s Law — because no student should lose their life due to a preventable emergency. Damar Hamlin’s powerful recovery and voice have raised national awareness about cardiac arrest. With Senator Baskin and Desha’s family, we turned that momentum into lasting change by requiring public schools to have cardiac emergency response plans.

We also announced… 

• The grand re-opening of Wilkeson Pointe on Buffalo’s outer harbor.
• A historic $36 million investment to help law enforcement agencies fight gun violence.
• After sitting vacant for decades, the new Perry Homes in Buffalo. welcomed its first tenants — and more than 400 homes are on the way.
• 10,000 adult learners have already applied for our free community college program.
• Summer Saturdays are back on MetroNorth and the LIRR!
  
  

News to Know 

• "Huge success": Six months of congestion pricing (FOX 5 New York)
• Stony Brook University to open $20M semiconductor research and development center (Newsday)  
• STAR tax relief launches second phase, checks for homeowners (News 10 ABC)
• Millions in Funding Announced for Airports Across Central New York, Including Griffiss (WKTV)
• Admission tickets for 2025 Great New York State Fair are now on sale (WSTM)  
• Albany celebrates $25M Lincoln Park Pool transformation under NY SWIMS initiative (WRGB Albany)
• 12 additional NYC subway stations to get accessibility upgrades under MTA’s capital plan (AMNY)

I hope that as summer comes to a close, you're getting offline, getting outside, and enjoying time with loved ones. I'm going to keep working every day to make sure you and your family can get ahead in this fantastic state we call home. 

Ever Upward, 

Gov. Kathy Hochul 

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