Gov. Kathy Hochul is continuing to push the highlights for her budget proposal for the 2024 fiscal year. She made a stop in Rochester on Tuesday.
The governor focused on the effort to reduce violent crime during her visit to the Boys & Girls Club.
“In order to keep your work going right here, at this oasis for children, we’re announcing today $112,000 for renovations at the teen center,” Hochul said. “So I want to make sure that we get that money flowing right here at the Boys & Girls Club.”
The young people who spend time at the Boys & Girls Club were happy to meet the governor and said they understand the importance of preventing violence.
“That's just the reason why I just started to have, like, another place where I could feel more comfortable at and not feel like I'm being threatened or something," said 13-year-old Zayeier Little.
“I feel like it's a good thing for her to do because here people feel safe,” said 12-Year-Old Jy’Mare Francis. “Like a lot of kids come here after school and stuff. This is after-school program for other kids. So I feel like her adding more money here can make the place better.”
“They should take more actions and open up more boys and girls, more recreation centers for kids to get in and escape from their friends, get taught and to do the right thing," said 13-Year-Old Laila Burnell.
The governor also said she plans to more than triple funding to $52 million, up from $12 million, for the state's 62 district attorney's offices and expand the state’s crime analysis center network.
"The money set aside for more prosecutors is necessary to keep up with heavy caseloads and strenuous discovery demands,” Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said in a statement. “I am especially thankful for the Governor’s focus on the Crime Analysis Centers, as MCAC is an excellent tool for law enforcement information sharing.”
Hochul also reiterated her plans to tweak the controversial ball reform laws.
“As long as that language, the least restrictive means, remains and this is from our district attorney not just here but all across, then the judges have the discretion to opt for that standard if they want to do this,” she said. “To me that says again, we're back to a system of unfairness. It depends on the judge and the political leanings or the philosophical leanings or judicial leanings of a judge, versus looking at common sense, commonly accepted criteria, removing the least restrictive mean standard for bail-eligible cases, which are society's violent offenses, is what we're going to be looking for.”
“I am supportive of efforts to make New York safer,” State Assembly Member Josh Jensen said in a statement. “Too many residents of our community and across the state fear the impact violent crime will have on their lives. We must do more to keep people safe, ensure that we have tools at our disposal to stop crime, solve crime and limit the potential of crime to occur again.”
“So I believe that a multifaceted approach is necessary,” Hochul said. “Over time, we'll keep making a difference. But for now, my focus is on simply keeping Yorkers safe and secure.”
Her proposals for the 2024 fiscal budget also include doubling funding for the GIVE initiative to $36 million. GIVE supports 20 police departments in 17 counties that account for more than 80% of the violent crime that occurs in New York state outside of the New York City area. The governor is also supporting the New York State Police by increasing academy classes and expanding their presence on federal task forces.
