Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) promotes efforts to increase affordability in Long Island, New York.
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00:00Ladies and gentlemen, please stand as we welcome the 57th governor of the great state
00:05of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul.
00:26Good morning, Long Island.
00:28It is great to be back here once again.
00:32I think I was here last week, had a very nice ride.
00:35Have a seat on that wonderful Long Island Railroad.
00:41Friendly people, very clean, on time.
00:45Doesn't get any better than that, right, everybody?
00:47All right.
00:51You know, I always enjoy doing that, and I was just here a few days ago,
00:54meeting of family and copay, and sat down literally in their kitchen, talking to them about their struggles
01:01and, you know, what's on their mind.
01:03They're worried about paying bills and everything else and all the stress and what we're doing in our budget to help alleviate that.
01:10And there's a lot of good people out here today I want to recognize who have been on the journey or support us or help get us get the message out there,
01:19and I want to acknowledge them now, and that is our mayor, Mayor Hobbs of the village of Hempstead.
01:26We've been great friends a long time.
01:34We look forward to going swimming in the new pool, fix up the pool.
01:38We've got some great projects we're working on together, but he really cares deeply about his community,
01:42and I want to thank all the county legislators from Nassau and Suffolk counties for coming together.
01:48This is really important to bring people together and talk about, you know, successes and how we are listening to our residents
01:56and what we're doing to accomplish so much more, and I want to thank our friends in labor.
02:02Ryan Stanton, the Executive Director of Long Island Federation of Labor.
02:06Ryan, thank you.
02:10And Maddie Arisich, the President of the Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades.
02:14Thank you, Maddie.
02:17Members of my administration, Kevin Law, the Chair of Empire State Development.
02:21Kevin.
02:23Richie Kessel, the Chair of the NFIA, NIFA.
02:28Fun job there, Richie. Well done.
02:31Sammy Chu, the member of the MTA.
02:35And a lot of civic leaders.
02:37I mean, this is what Long Island is known for.
02:39Really engaged residents and people who step up and serve their communities in so many different levels.
02:45And two people you're going to be hearing from are Vanessa Baird Streeter, the President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
02:51Let's give her a round of applause.
02:53Joe Salamone, the Founder and Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.
03:01And, of course, our host today at Farmingdale, the new President of Farmingdale State College, who took office after John Nader.
03:09We spent a lot of time with John and look forward to deepening our relationship.
03:12Dr. Robert Prezant, so thank you.
03:18You know, as I mentioned, I was sitting with the family in Copag, and I just brought back a flashback of raising my own kids.
03:25And, you know, they're rambunctious.
03:27They're adorable.
03:28And, you know, it reminded me that I didn't have a lot of options when I was first having the babies because I couldn't find childcare.
03:35I had to leave a job that I really, really loved.
03:38I had worked hard to get it, but it's just that time in life there were not many options and certainly nothing that was affordable.
03:45So, you know, I just want to tell people that we have worked really hard on people's struggles and knowing what they're back, you know, what they're up against.
03:54And so back in January when I announced my State of the State address, I made a simple declaration that is part of my philosophy, which is your family is my fight.
04:04Because you need a champion.
04:06You need someone who's lived the experience, who knows what it's like to push that shopping cart in a big box store and load it up with diapers and toilet paper and paper towels and the formula,
04:19and then standing there in the checkout and just saying, I can't believe it.
04:24So then I whip out all my coupons and try to drive the cost down a little bit more.
04:27But I've lived that experience.
04:29And so as I see what families are going through right now, I just want to use everything I can at my disposal and my power to be able to acknowledge it,
04:38but also do something about it, do something about it.
04:42And I really meant that.
04:44And, you know, right now there's so many New Yorkers who just, you know, want to have more money in their pockets.
04:50It was that simple.
04:51I said to my team, like, we have to put more money back in people's pockets because we also hear their complaints and their concerns.
04:58But also two things, affordability, but also making our communities safer.
05:04And Long Island is a wonderful place to raise families.
05:08I know that so well from talking to so many people, but parents just still have that sense of anxiety.
05:14You know, the kids go off to school or what happens in the neighborhood or, you know, you sometimes have people suffering from severe mental illness in our downtowns.
05:22And, you know, you're not sure.
05:23I mean, they're not getting the help they need, but are they all of a sudden going to have an episode?
05:27And, you know, maybe act in a way that could harm you or your kids.
05:31I mean, this is what gets a parent.
05:33I mean, this sense of I've got to protect my kids and they just need compassionate care and they haven't been getting it.
05:39But I also want to make sure that our kids can focus in school and not be distracted the way they have been and rediscover the joy of interacting with their peers.
05:49And so all these are my belief, my philosophy and what families deserve.
05:55And so we passed a budget that addresses everything I just said, everything.
06:00And $5,000 back in people's pockets is what the collective result is, $5,000.
06:10First of all, we start with a middle class tax cut.
06:13Middle class tax cuts are the lowest it's been in over 70 years.
06:17That's coming our way.
06:18It's going to help over 8 million New Yorkers.
06:20It's about $168 million in annual relief.
06:241.2 million Long Islanders are going to benefit from that.
06:27So they're going to be seeing that back in their pocket.
06:31Eighty percent of Long Islanders will be able to benefit.
06:34We got that done.
06:35But also the inflation rebate.
06:37You know what this is?
06:39It means it's acknowledging that we collected more in sales tax over the last few years.
06:44Why?
06:45Because you paid more for everything.
06:47It wasn't your fault.
06:49Prices were up.
06:50You know, the backpacks, the sneakers, everything you bought.
06:54And that meant that we collected more money at the state level.
06:57Now, there are people who said, keep it.
07:00Keep it.
07:01Don't give it back.
07:03I said, but it's their money.
07:05It's the people's money.
07:06They paid more.
07:07So I said, let's have an inflation rebate.
07:10And we're going to put over $400 back in families' pockets.
07:14And that's going to go back in the pockets of 1.3 million Long Islanders as well.
07:19$316 million.
07:24And when I first became governor, there was no child tax credit for children under the age of 4.
07:31I was like, are you kidding me?
07:33Like, that's when they're the most expensive, right?
07:36That's when they're outgrowing their clothes every three months.
07:39I just bought new clothes for an expectant baby coming in July in my family, my daughter.
07:44And I said, well, I'm going to...
07:46We're going to need newborn, 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 9.
07:51I said, we'll stop at 6 to 9.
07:53We'll see what season we're in at that point.
07:56And so I just know it's like it adds up.
07:59And I said, we have to do better.
08:02We are now going to have $1,000 tax credit for children under the age of 4 to help struggling families.
08:09Stripling the tax credit, largest in our state's history, but also for the older kids, $500 for each and every one of them to help out.
08:19So we got that done as well.
08:21And that will help 215,000 Long Island families and 355,000 children across this beautiful area.
08:28I also said, and I raised this when I was at an event back in January here on Long Island, free lunch for kids, free breakfast.
08:38There's the reason there have been government programs before, but there's a stigma associated from that,
08:49that you're that kid who's so ashamed that you can't afford to buy lunch like all the other kids, then you're singled out.
08:57A lot of kids skip lunches.
08:58I heard that from an elected official here on Long Island who said that stigma is carried with you your whole life.
09:04You're singled out.
09:05That's not what we want to have our kids have to endure.
09:08But also the hassle of having to pack up kids' lunches.
09:12I remember buying all those little Lunchables.
09:14I don't think they're that healthy, but they were quick.
09:16Do they still make them anymore or they outlaw them?
09:19Okay.
09:20Flunk it in a bag and call it lunch.
09:23I don't know.
09:24Not having to make breakfast for your kids.
09:28Not having to make lunch.
09:29That's time back for parents, but also about $1,600 per child back in your pocket from not having to worry about that.
09:36We got that done as well.
09:37So that's real relief.
09:42That's real relief.
09:43And I'm excited about that.
09:44I'm really happy to be able to deliver for New Yorkers.
09:48But also safety.
09:50You know, these discovery laws that changed in 2019.
09:54And yes, it was important to make some changes.
09:56We got that done.
09:57But sometimes the pendulum just swings too far in the other direction.
10:01When you're correcting something that's wrong, but then it goes in the other direction.
10:05We were having so many cases that have real victims behind them who were denied justice because they were dismissed on technicalities.
10:14And you would not believe the stories I heard.
10:17And 94% of domestic violence cases brought are dismissed.
10:23And that's often a woman going back to her environment without an order of protection and just being so vulnerable.
10:32And I said, this cannot stay.
10:34We have to take this on.
10:35And it was hard.
10:36A lot of people just didn't want to touch it.
10:38They didn't want to change the status quo.
10:41It's just sometimes just leave it alone is the easier path.
10:44And I never take the path, though.
10:46I just will always challenge and say, we've got to do better.
10:50We also said gun violence is still very much a problem, even in our suburban areas and our downtowns.
10:56$347 million toward eliminating gun violence.
11:00And here, I focus on this intensely for the last few years.
11:04Here on Long Island, we've brought down gun violence by 50% on Long Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
11:11I think that's pretty remarkable.
11:12But we have more work to do.
11:13$35 million to keep our houses of worship safe because there's so many hate crimes, especially against observers of religion, whether it's the Jewish faith, Muslim faith.
11:28I mean, there's a lot of people being singled out here.
11:30And it's just wrong.
11:31But I want those institutions to be safe and have the security devices they need because we don't tolerate that in our state.
11:38As I mentioned, we talked about mental health and people have just been languishing so long in our trains and stations and all over.
11:47People said they had the civil rights to stay on the streets.
11:51Their civil liberties cannot be affected by saying you need care.
11:55I think that was cruel.
11:57I really do.
11:58I think it's sometimes hard to say we have to pick up someone and lift them up and get them the help they need.
12:04But we are a compassionate society.
12:07That's our responsibility to them.
12:09It makes our communities safer, but also that individual at least has a better shot by being in a confined situation.
12:19Yes, they will not make their own decision because these are people who do not have the mental capacity to take care of their own well-being.
12:25That's what I'm talking about.
12:26And we're going to help them as well.
12:28So we changed the law to get another tough, tough battle, and we're going to do it.
12:33And I believe that this is going to make a remarkable change for these individuals and also the sense of safety that everyone deserves to have.
12:40So we're changing the involuntary commitment laws and make sure they get the help they need.
12:45I want to thank everybody who fought for that as well.
12:47Also as a mom, I'm focused on what happens in the classroom very much.
12:59And since the advent of cell phones in schools, and I'm never sure how it even started, like who said it was okay?
13:06When I was a kid, you couldn't sit there and play games.
13:10And, you know, it's basically the same thing.
13:13And now it's watching TikTok dance videos instead of listening to the math teacher, right?
13:18So the distractions are intense.
13:20And last year we worked with the legislature to come up with nation-leading legislation on social media algorithms.
13:27Companies that are designed to draw your child in with, based on their own preferences, pull them in, but it's always holding them tight
13:39and taking them off into a dark place and bombarding them all day long with distractions, an average of 250 notifications a day.
13:47So we went after the social media companies.
13:49But I also said, but if they don't have the cell phone in their hand all day, then they won't be distracted.
13:55That was another tough one I heard from everybody.
13:58You know, leave it up to the school districts.
14:00It's up to them.
14:01And I respect our school districts.
14:02I really do.
14:03Give them a lot of money, too.
14:05But, come on, I also heard from school superintendents and school board members and others who said,
14:12it's just hard to be the heavy.
14:14It's hard to be that lightning rod where people are coming out after you because you made a decision that you know is right,
14:20but there's always opposition.
14:22I said, I'm a lightning rod by definition.
14:25I mean, people, come on.
14:26You know, I can handle it.
14:28Just add it to the list.
14:30And it's my job to protect kids.
14:33And I knew this was so important.
14:34I went around the state.
14:35I convened people from the North Country to Long Island and had these conversations and just said, we can do better.
14:42And the voices that meant the most to me of all were the teenagers I listened to.
14:47I sit in a library, a group of young women, and one girl was saying, all the pressure she's under.
14:54I mean, people are mocking out what you're wearing.
14:56And they're excluding you from the special gathering in the girls' restroom at that moment and you're feeling bad.
15:01They're not inviting you to the party this weekend.
15:03And you know this is all going on when you're supposed to be paying attention at school.
15:06Enormous pressure.
15:08And she said, you have to save us from ourselves because we cannot put the phones down alone because we'll be ostracized.
15:15And I said, that's all I need to hear.
15:17I can save a kid.
15:19We're there.
15:20And we did it.
15:21We did it.
15:22So thank you.
15:25So, thank you.
15:30We are now the largest state in the nation to have bell-to-bell K-12 ban on distracting devices, not just the smart watch.
15:40Smart watches.
15:41Let me tell you what one teacher told me.
15:43She said every six-year-old in her first grade class had a smart watch.
15:48And all day long, mommy's checking in.
15:53I miss you, honey.
15:54Little heart emojis.
15:55Cut the apron strings.
16:00Right?
16:01We're supposed to raise, not kids, but raise adults.
16:06And this is part of their breaking away, their independence.
16:09And so it's hard for parents, I know.
16:12But I still remember sobbing my eyes out the first day of kindergarten.
16:17And I knew I would not talk to that child until the end of the day.
16:21And she would figure it out on her own.
16:23And she did.
16:24And now she's going to be a mom.
16:25And that baby will never even know that you could have had cell phones in schools.
16:29I want to band all across this country.
16:34So, speaking of school aid, $271 million for Long Island alone.
16:41Let's give a round of applause to our, that's brand new.
16:44Support our teachers.
16:45Giving everybody the foundation they need.
16:50And make it easier.
16:51Just have what you need.
16:54Give those kids everything.
16:55Everything.
16:56This is the chance we can formulate adults who care about their communities.
17:00That's what education's all about.
17:01Give them that foundation.
17:03But also we want to make it easier for people to get around on Long Island, right?
17:08We're increasing public transit funding by 7% for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
17:13$177 million combined.
17:15More reliable service.
17:18Fully funding the MTA's capital plan, $68.4 billion.
17:26And on Long Island, you are tremendous beneficiaries of this.
17:30Other parts of the state can complain, but not here on Long Island.
17:33Because this includes $6 billion for the Long Island Railroad.
17:38And a smoother, safer ride for over 600,000 Long Islanders who use it every single weekday.
17:44And this was our, last year was our strongest year ever for the Long Island Railroad.
17:49I mean, we surpassed our record on time arrivals.
17:52And, you know, the customer surveys are just so positive.
17:55I mean, this is really something that is so special and unique about this area.
17:59We broke ground on the Yaphank Station.
18:03Greatly improved the commute to Brookhaven, which we promised we would do.
18:07Also, $150 million to move ahead with the plans to connect Ronkonkoma Station with MacArthur Airport.
18:13That's going to be a major change.
18:20So, a few other ways.
18:21Let's wrap up a few more.
18:22Do you want to hear a few more?
18:24Yeah.
18:25You kind of like this, don't you?
18:28You know, we have to protect the water.
18:31This is an island, Long Island.
18:34Water is everything.
18:36Our shores, our beaches.
18:38You know, the water that comes out of our kitchen sinks.
18:41We have to protect it.
18:43And since I've been governor, we've had over $458 million dedicated to water alone here on Long Island.
18:50Because I believe we have to protect it.
18:53But now, let's talk about the South Shore.
18:58We're moving forward with $1.7 billion for Fire Island to Montauk Point that will safeguard 83 miles of coastline.
19:08This is really important.
19:10Generations from now, people will talk about this time when we made those high investments, large investments.
19:21But we have no choice.
19:23This is God's gift to this part of our state.
19:25And we must protect it.
19:27We're also very sensitive of the pressures on our small businesses in small towns, our beautiful communities that dot the landscape here.
19:35And each one has its own personality.
19:37I've been to so many of them.
19:39And they're really dealing with a lot of stress.
19:42Do not walk into a retail shop and say the word tariff.
19:45You'll probably evoke a heart attack.
19:48I went back to my hometown.
19:50I helped my mother start a small business right out of law school.
19:53She thought I'd actually know how to do this.
19:55They don't teach that in law school.
19:57But we opened a little flower shop.
19:59Flower shop the weekend before Mother's Day.
20:01I walked in and saw her partner.
20:03My mother passed.
20:04And my daughter was working there when she was 13 years old.
20:08So I brought my daughter back, very pregnant young woman, and met her old boss.
20:12And walked in and I said, how are things going, Jeannie?
20:15And she says, we get our flowers from Mexico and Canada.
20:20She says, everything is up 25%, 30%.
20:24I don't know if we're going to make it.
20:26Now that's been there since 1984.
20:28She says, I don't know how we're going to survive.
20:31She is just one example of hundreds if not thousands of businesses who are really anxious.
20:37She says, I want to put in my Christmas order.
20:40I don't know if it's going to make it.
20:42I don't know what the cost will be.
20:43I don't know how to budget for that.
20:45She says, it's just so hard.
20:48And I feel for these businesses.
20:50So one thing I knew we could do.
20:53Businesses are picking up an additional cost because of our unemployment deficit in our fund, our insurance fund.
21:00Pandemic wiped it out.
21:02I mean, everybody you knew lost a job and we had to help them during that time.
21:07But we really went deep into the hole and expended all the funds and had to borrow money.
21:13So now the law is that they have to pay it back before we can ever raise what people are able to get if they're on unemployment.
21:21So I said, I looked at the budget.
21:24We did very well managing it.
21:26I've been working hard to stash money in our rainy day fund, the highest reserves our state has seen.
21:33I don't know when.
21:34It's been 4% reserves for a long time.
21:38And I got up to 15.
21:40And it literally was a rainy day the day I announced this.
21:48And I said, today's the rainy day.
21:51I need to go into this fund, take money out of it, and pay down that debt so that burden is no longer on our small businesses,
22:00having to pay the extra money, hundreds of dollars per employee they've been paying.
22:04That's my counter to the tariffs at this time.
22:08If I can help a little bit by lifting that burden, I said, this is when they need it.
22:12It is raining.
22:13It is storming.
22:14And so we are doing that as well.
22:16So our small businesses are really grateful.
22:20So my vision was to lay out a stronger, safer, more affordable New York, a place where middle-class families can thrive,
22:27where public safety is non-negotiable, and where mental health is met with compassion and care,
22:32where kids can learn and flourish and develop relationships with other kids.
22:37It's not just a vision.
22:39It's what we did.
22:40And we got it done.
22:41And I'm so proud to be able to deliver for the people of Long Island and all across the state of New York.
22:45And thank everyone who's been involved in this journey.
22:47Thank you very much, everyone.
22:49With that, thank you.
22:56Hi, Steve.
22:57Let me introduce Weyland Hobbs, our mayor of the village of Hempstead.
23:04Mayor.
23:06Let's give our governor another round of applause.
23:18Now, I usually start by saying it's a great day in the village of Hempstead.
23:28But we are in Farmingdale, so it's a great day in Farmingdale.
23:32We are happy to be here today.
23:34Today, I proudly recognize our governor, who represents all of the residents of the great state of New York,
23:45from upstate to downstate.
23:48She makes sure she services all of her residents.
23:51I'm grateful for the relationship with the village of Hempstead,
23:55where we recently received $10 million for our downtown revitalization initiative.
24:06$10 million that will go to help Hempstead with its economic development of our downtown.
24:14And Nassau County, we have a little debate.
24:17They try to say that they're the hub.
24:19Hempstead is the hub of Nassau County.
24:25We have the Rosa Park bus station.
24:27We have the Long Island Railroad.
24:29And we are grateful for the governor's safety initiatives,
24:33because many of our residents travel every day on the train,
24:37and people want to be able to travel safe to work and back home.
24:42So thank you, governor, for putting money into safety for those that travel the MTA.
24:48Let's give another round of applause.
24:50And if anyone asks me, you know, about our relationship,
24:58they know that you cannot talk negative about my governor,
25:03because she has done so much for the residents of the village of Hempstead.
25:07Recently, our school district was about to close one of our elementary schools,
25:12a school named after David Patterson, because of lack of finances.
25:19But the governor in this budget invested $24 million into the Hempstead School District,
25:26investing in the future of our children, their education.
25:30And governor, we thank you, thank you, thank you.
25:38Thank you for investing in technology that helps our police department.
25:44Since we've received funding for this new technology, within two weeks,
25:49our officers were able to bring in 55% more gun arrests,
25:56taking illegal handguns off of our streets.
26:00But I'm glad that you also addressed the discovery issue,
26:06because our officers were making the arrests, getting the guns off the street.
26:11But many times, those cases were dismissed because of little technicality.
26:16Now, I understand the reason for some of these reforms,
26:19but unfortunately, when you paint with a broad paintbrush,
26:23you sometimes mess up the things that are supposed to protect our communities.
26:28So thank you for being bold enough to make sure we correct what needed to be corrected.
26:38And lastly, not least, we thank you for dealing with the mental health issues of so many people,
26:45that by my wife, who is a surgical nurse, St. Francis Hospital, one of the best hospitals.
26:55But as a nurse educator, she said many times when dealing with people that were homeless and had mental health issues,
27:02they said themselves that if they had a safe environment, where they had a controlled environment,
27:10when to take their medication, when to go for counseling, that would help them better,
27:14because they didn't trust themselves to follow the routine.
27:18So thank you for being bold enough to address that issue that will help all that have mental health issues.
27:25Can we give her another round of applause?
27:31And so again, on behalf of the residents of the largest village in the great state of New York,
27:37thank you, thank you, thank you.
27:39Now introducing Vanessa Baird Streeter, President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
27:54Hello and good morning.
27:55As stated, I'm Vanessa Baird Streeter, and I am the President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
28:02And I stand proudly before you supporting Governor Hochul's affordability initiatives.
28:07Thank you so much, Governor Hochul.
28:09And once again, another round of applause for the Governor.
28:15Today, we stand at a pivotal moment in our journey toward a brighter, more equitable future for New Yorkers and Long Islanders.
28:23Governor Hochul's unwavering commitment to making life more affordable for working families across Long Island
28:30is not just a promise.
28:33It is a reality that is unfolding before our eyes.
28:37This year, over 8 million New Yorkers will benefit from a $2 billion inflation relief payment.
28:43And the Governor spoke to it earlier, but I think it's important to note.
28:47Joint filers earning up to $150,000 will receive $400, while those earning $300,000 will receive $300.
28:59Single filers making up to $75,000 will receive $200.
29:04And those earning up to $150,000 will receive $150.
29:12These payments will be automatically mailed, ensuring equitable access and that no one is left behind.
29:20The expansion of the Empire State Child Tax Credit is another powerful step forward.
29:33With up to $1,000 per child for children under 4, and $500 per child for those aged 4 to 16, more families will benefit.
29:45Especially with the removal of outdated income restrictions.
29:50This aligns with the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island's mission to support policies that lift children and families out of poverty and create pathways to stability.
30:02A permanent middle class tax cut will provide $1 billion annually in relief, with nearly 80% of New Yorkers seeing lower tax rates starting in 2026.
30:21Most families will notice more take-home pay as early as January of 2026.
30:28Putting more money directly into the hands of those who need it most.
30:33Governor Hochul, as she spoke to, is delivering on free school meals for over 2.7 million students in New York State.
30:42All students in participating schools will receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of family income.
30:54The initiative will save families in grocery costs and ensure that no child goes hungry.
31:02A goal that resonates deeply with HWCLI's commitment to food security and child well-being.
31:11Collectively, these initiatives represent up to $5,000 in support for a family of 4.
31:18This is not just significant. Governor, this is transformative.
31:24When Governor Hochul says, your family is my fight, she is echoing the very values of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island,
31:33as we champion every day for equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.
31:43The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island proudly supports these initiatives,
31:49recognizing the profound impact on health, economic stability, and the overall well-being of our communities.
31:58We believe that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive,
32:03and these measures are a crucial step toward achieving that vision.
32:08Let us embrace this moment with hope and determination.
32:12Together, we can build a future where every New Yorker and Long Islander has the chance to succeed,
32:19where our children are nourished and educated, and where our families are supported, empowered, and uplifted.
32:28Governor Hochul, I stand here proud as a resident of New York State, and thank you for your advocacy and your leadership.
32:35And we appreciate everything that you have done and will continue to do for this great state of New York. Thank you.
32:45And I have the distinct pleasure and privilege to introduce to you Joe Salamone, Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.
33:00Thank you, Vanessa. Good morning. I'm Joe Salamone, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.
33:19We are privileged to be the region's only nonprofit solely focused on combating bullying.
33:25And for the last 12 years, our mission has been quite simple, to create communities where students feel safe, seen, and supported.
33:34We've done that locally through programming at schools, direct family advocacy, and real honest conversations with kids.
33:42We've also, on a more global level, helped advocate for local and statewide policy, including, as the Governor mentioned,
33:50last year's passed and signed Safe for Kids Act.
33:54As a result of this budget, it's time to celebrate another landmark achievement for students, families, and educators across New York.
34:03Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is now the largest state in the country to implement a K-12 bell-to-bell cell phone ban.
34:14And we could not be prouder to support it.
34:23Alarmingly, the data speaks volumes.
34:27Ninety-five percent of teens today have a smartphone.
34:32They receive over 250 average notifications a day.
34:37Anxiety, distraction, and isolation are rampant.
34:42And now, we're doing something about it, because this historic move restores something that we have started to lose.
34:49Real childhood.
34:51Real social growth.
34:53Real community.
34:55This isn't about punishing.
34:57It's about protecting.
34:59Smartphones are valuable tools, but without limits, they do cause real harm.
35:05We see it every day.
35:08Bullying no longer hides in stairwells.
35:10It happens in group chats, in videos recorded without consent,
35:15often memorializing what should have been a fleeting moment in time,
35:21and in digital spaces that follow students in every corner of their day.
35:26So I ask all of you, is this the environment our children should be living in?
35:31No.
35:33However, we are now restoring spaces for real connection within schools.
35:39In cafeterias, students can talk to one another again.
35:43Imagine that.
35:45In classrooms, teachers regaining attention.
35:49And everywhere, young people feeling a little freer.
35:53And it does work.
35:55In over 200 classroom visits that I made this year, this school year alone,
36:01speaking with administrators who have already implemented similar measures in their building,
36:07they have estimated a staggering 85% reduction in the amount of peer conflict
36:13and bullying-related issues occurring with inside their buildings.
36:17This is no longer theory.
36:19This is proven.
36:21To my fellow colleagues in education who have openly asked me,
36:25why not just leave it up to the school?
36:29My answer has very simply been, the time for patchwork solutions is over.
36:35The time for real action is now.
36:39Each school district can and should have the ability to adopt this measure in a way that best fits their unique communities.
36:47This just ensures that everyone must meet the same end result.
36:53Because of this effort, come September, students all across New York will walk into a school building
37:02no longer tethered to the pressures of their phones.
37:12They will be freer to learn, to connect, and to thrive.
37:17This is not just policy.
37:20It's progress.
37:21It's protection.
37:22And today, thanks to Governor Hochul, it's a reality.
37:28And that is something we should continue to celebrate.
37:32Thank you again to Governor Hochul for your bravery to champion this initiative,
37:37to our state legislature, and to all those who advocated alongside us for this historic achievement.
37:47If everyone could please stay seated as we take some photos.