New York to free prisoners over staffing crisis — 'large number' of inmates may qualify



New York is preparing to release prison inmates, citing a severe staffing shortage following a corrections officer strike.

A Monday memo from Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III directed prison leaders to identify inmates for early release to address the "current staffing crisis."

'In the litany of dumb ideas I've seen over the years, this one takes the cake as it's a recipe for disaster for public safety.'

Those eligible for release must "meet the statutory requirements," he wrote. Those who have committed violent felony offenses or sex offenses will not qualify. Eligible inmates must have an "identified approved residence" and only have up to 110 days left on their sentences.

Martuscello stated that he expects a "large number" of New York inmates to qualify for the state's early release.

"Due to the large number of individuals who are potentially eligible, we will issue multiple approval lists on an ongoing basis," he wrote. "The individual will be directed to report to their assigned parole officers for an initial intake within 24 hours of their transition to the outcount."

The announcement comes on the heels of thousands of prison guards participating in a 22-day strike that began in mid-February and ended last month when the guards' union reached a deal with the state.

Martuscello called the work stoppage "illegal," stating that termination letters were sent to more than 2,000 corrections officers who had refused to return to work after the agreement was reached.

Governor Kathy Hochul (D) called in National Guard troops to provide support amid the staffing crisis.

Republican state lawmakers urged the governor to rehire the fired prison guards instead of releasing inmates.

State Sen. Jim Tedisco (R) stated that he thought the announcement was "an April Fools' joke."

"In the litany of dumb ideas I've seen over the years, this one takes the cake as it's a recipe for disaster for public safety," Tedisco wrote. "And what an insult to crime victims by chopping 110 days off the sentences of these inmates."

"What on earth is this governor doing?" he continued. "We don't have an on-time state budget, so she's clearly not appropriately focusing on getting that part of her job done."

State Sen. George Borrello (R) called the move "yet another example of the staggering mismanagement and neglect" of public safety by the governor.

A spokesperson for Hochul responded to Martuscello's decision to release inmates, stating the governor's "top priority is the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers."

"The governor is aware of Commissioner Martuscello's memo and supports his efforts to safely address staffing shortages and personnel concerns," the spokesperson told the Times Union.

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How Congress' balance of power continues to shift



Just months into the 119th Congress, the balance of partisan power continues to shift within historically narrow margins.

Although Republicans held on to their House majority, Democrats managed to flip nine seats, while Republicans flipped eight seats, narrowing their advantage. The GOP also took a hit when several members of the Republican conference, such as former Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, were tapped to serve in President Donald Trump's administration.

With multiple vacancies and several special elections, the House's partisan split continues to fluctuate, and every seat counts.

Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was also initially recruited to head the Department of Justice, although he eventually dropped his bid and announced that he would not return to serve in the 119th Congress.

These vacancies leave Johnson with just a one-seat majority, requiring Republicans to vote in lockstep for every partisan vote.

To fill the Floridians' vacancies, the state will hold a special election on April 1. While both seats are expected to be filled by Republicans, Johnson is bracing himself for another vacancy in New York once the Senate confirms Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve as U.N. ambassador. As a result, Republicans have made an effort to prolong Stefanik's confirmation, given how valuable her vote is in the House.

Once Stefanik does vacate her seat, Republicans will have a challenging time replacing her. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York reportedly plans on slow-walking the special election to fill Stefanik's seat, prolonging Republicans' narrow majority.

On the other hand, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas is also tasked with replacing Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner after he passed away on March 5 at the age of 70.

With multiple vacancies and several special elections, the House's partisan split continues to fluctuate, and every seat counts.

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Dem governor says New York wants federal workers fired by 'clueless cadre of career killers' at DOGE



Kathy Hochul, the Democratic governor of New York, said that the state would happily take in the federal workers fired by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Gov. Hochul said that the state has 7,000 job openings ready to be filled by those who were dismissed by Elon Musk, tasked with heading up the "clueless cadre of career killers" at the DOGE.

'Our message is simple. While DOGE says you're fired, we say you're hired.'

"The Trump-Musk administration is treating federal workers like a reality TV stunt. Our message is clear: New York wants you. Come work in the greatest state in the nation," said Hochul on social media.

"I need technologists, engineers, attorneys, educators and so much more," she added.

The campaign is reaching out to fired federal workers through brochures and billboards at Union Station in Washington, D.C., as well as Moynihan Station in New York. One estimate found that about 75,000 people took a $25K buyout option from the DOGE, and another 125,000 workers were fired, for a total of about 200,000 federal workers off of the payrolls through the DOGE.

"These are essential jobs requiring many years of specialized experience done by real people, as I said, with bills to pay and families to support," Hochul continued. "They should be commended for their service, not mocked by the president and handed a pink slip. So our message is simple. While DOGE says you're fired, we say you're hired."

Some criticized Hochul for the announcement at a time when she is battling against a strike from prison guards and correctional officers over benefits in New York.

Democrats and union groups have opposed the effort to cut down the size of government by filing challenges in the courts. They argue that firing workers from programs instituted through congressional vote is outside of the constitutional powers granted to the executive branch.

The DOGE responded to criticism by sending out another email to all federal workers demanding they respond with five items they completed in the prior week.

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Hochul doubles down on charging NYC drivers to use taxpayer-funded roads after Sec. Duffy nixes unpopular toll



Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is currently engaged in a tug-of-war with the Trump administration over a new toll imposed on drivers in New York City.

The issue relates to the Central Business District Tolling Program designed for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The toll charges passenger vehicles $9, small trucks $14.40, large trucks $21.60, motorcycles $4.50, taxis $0.75, and Uber and Lyft drivers $1.50.

"You can pay $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone or take the subway, where violent crime is soaring. At least some drivers will be afraid to take the subway, undermining the entire purpose of congestion pricing," said Phil Valenti of the Transport Workers Union Local 106.

"To put congestion pricing in now is atrocious, disgusting. ... Give me a break."

Republican President Donald Trump also apparently had misgivings about the congestion toll, even before it was implemented last month. "Congestion pricing is not a good situation," Trump said recently. "They're treating the people of New York very badly."

Though early reports indicate that the toll has reduced area traffic by 9%, Trump claimed the reduction in traffic would actually harm local businesses and residents.

"Traffic will go down because people aren’t going to come," Trump said aboard Air Force One, according to FOX 5 NY. "If people don't come, that means the whole place is, it's going to be a disaster. That means they’re not going to spend their money in New York."

'Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.'

On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent Hochul a letter announcing that the Federal Highway Administration had terminated approval for CBDTP, which had just received federal approval in November.

Duffy described the toll as "backwards and unfair" and "a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small-business owners" in New York and surrounding states like New Jersey and Connecticut.

"Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes. But now the toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways," Duffy said in a statement.

"Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few."

The letter apparently enraged Hochul, who quickly arranged a press conference at Grand Central Terminal, where she railed against what she characterized as Trump's federal overreach.

"I don't care if you love congestion pricing or hate it. This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington. And we are a nation of states," Hochul exclaimed.

"This is what we fought for. This is what people like Alexander Hamilton and others fought for: to set up a system where we are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington."

Hochul's histrionics continued: "In the streets of this city, where battles were fought; we stood up to a king. And we won then. And in case you don't know New Yorkers, when we're in a fight, we do not back down. Not now, not ever. Because, who are we fighting for here? We're fighting for our residents, our commuters, our riders, our drivers, our emergency personnel."

"I'm here to say New York hasn't labored under a king in over 250 years," she seethed. "We sure as hell are not gonna start now."

As she spoke, Hochul held up a copy of Time magazine with a rather flattering image of Trump wearing a crown emblazoned on the cover.

Without the toll, traffic will spike in the area once again, she warned. "The next time you're stuck in traffic, you’ll know who to blame."

For now, Hochul claimed that the "cameras would stay on."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already filed a lawsuit, challenging Duffy's decision. While the litigation process plays out, the MTA will not be "turning off the tolls," Chair Janno Lieber confirmed.

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‘Our Communities Will Never Forget It’: Black Lawmakers Warn New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Against Ousting Eric Adams
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‘Our Communities Will Never Forget It’: Black Lawmakers Warn New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Against Ousting Eric Adams

'our communities will never forget it'