FINANCE

The New York State Judiciary requested $3.3 billion in operating spending for fiscal year 2023-2024, with Chief Administrative Judge Tamiko Amaker emphasizing the need to restore court operations after pandemic-related staffing losses and address mounting case backlogs during a joint legislative budget hearing on Tuesday. Judge Amaker told the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees that the Judiciary lost nearly 2,900 nonjudicial employees—approximately 17 percent of its workforce—between 2010 and 2021, with the exodus accelerated by COVID-19 and a hiring freeze. The budget request includes funding for 20 new Supreme and Family Court judgeships, a 3 percent increase in civil legal services funding to $116 million, and implementation of collective bargaining agreements costing $130 million retroactively. Judge Amaker reported significant court backlogs: 81,000 cases in New York City Family Court, 21,000 in Criminal Court, and 11,000 to 12,000 in Criminal Supreme Court. She highlighted the Judiciary's gun initiative, which resolved 2,600 cases from April 2022 onward through dedicated courtrooms and expedited procedures. The hearing also surfaced concerns about judicial compliance with bail reform laws. Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal pressed Judge Amaker on whether judges outside New York City should be required to undergo mandatory training on criminal justice law changes, noting that some judges have misrepresented the law. Judge Amaker acknowledged the concern but said the overwhelming majority of judges voluntarily attend training. Assemblyman Charles Lavine raised questions about assigned counsel compensation caps, noting that at the proposed rate of $158 per hour in the metropolitan area, attorneys on multi-week trials could exceed the anticipated $10,000 case cap. Judge Amaker acknowledged this would need review. The hearing also addressed judicial security: Judge Amaker reported a 40 percent increase in judicial threats from 2020 to 2022 and urged support for the Judicial Protection Act to remove judges' personal information from public records, citing a chilling effect on judicial recruitment and safety. NEW YORK — The Office of Court Administration faced pointed questioning from state legislators on February 7 over security details provided to a former chief judge, judicial accountability, and persistent court backlogs during a joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 executive budget. Acting Chief Administrative Judge Jeffrey Amaker defended the ongoing security detail for the former chief judge, citing more than 50 documented threats and stalking incidents, including a 2018 incident where a litigant followed her to restaurants and her vacation home. "Because I think that that would put the former chief judge in grave danger," Amaker said when asked why he could not disclose whether the security detail was still active. Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Queens), the Senate Deputy Leader, pressed Amaker on the decision-making authority for the security detail and questioned why public resources were being used to protect a former employee. Gianaris alleged a broader corruption problem within the Court of Appeals, citing reporting that judges received unreported public benefits worth $2.5 billion. "The court system has a real problem," Gianaris said. "In just the few minutes I've been here, they have provided no answers to questions of who receives training, what the training materials are, what the vote for acting chief was, whether there's still an ongoing expense of public resources for the safety of former judges." Amaker also testified that the OCA processed 2.1 million filings last year and resolved nearly that many cases, but significant backlogs remain across multiple court types, particularly in Criminal Term Supreme Court, Family Court, and Housing Court. He attributed the backlogs to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that limited trial capacity. Sen. Jamaal Bailey (D-Bronx) raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of judge decertifications on the Bronx during the pandemic and questioned whether judges were properly trained on recent bail reform changes, particularly the "harm on harm" provision. Amaker said judges received mandatory training on May 6, 2022, three days before the changes took effect. Sen. Kevin Thomas (D-Nassau) flagged a compliance issue in Housing Court, where judges are still applying 9 percent judgment interest in consumer debt cases despite a 2011 law lowering the rate to 2 percent. Amaker said he would investigate immediately. The OCA requested an additional $43 million appropriation to cover a proposed 18-B attorney rate increase and emphasized the need for more judges and court staff to address backlogs. Amaker noted that each new judgeship costs approximately $1 million when accounting for supporting staff. NEW YORK — Acting Chief Administrative Judge Amaker faced pointed questioning from state legislators on Tuesday over the judiciary's budget priorities, with lawmakers challenging the court system's commitment to expanding diversion programs, improving judicial training, and ensuring access to counsel for low-income New Yorkers. At a joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 executive budget for public protection, Sen. Ramos criticized the judiciary's $2 million allocation for diversion courts, noting that an additional $15 million could expand the programs statewide beyond Brooklyn and Ontario counties where they currently function. "How committed are you if you're not proposing an expansion in your budget?" Ramos asked, pointing out that incarceration costs exceed $500,000 per person. Judge Amaker attributed the modest funding to declining usage and said the judiciary was "doing everything we can" to encourage participation. Chairwoman Krueger made an extended argument for mandatory judicial training and testing on new laws, comparing the judiciary unfavorably to doctors and lawyers who face licensing requirements and continuing education mandates. "We don't have any evidence that judges know things because there's not actually data, there's not testing," Krueger said, expressing frustration that legislators spend their time changing laws that judges may not fully understand or implement. Assemblyman Burgos raised concerns about mandatory court fees, citing a 2017 New York City Comptroller report showing 139,000 surcharges totaling $19 million imposed in criminal court. He compared the practice to Ferguson, Missouri's "policing for profit" model and requested detailed data on how much is levied, collected, and spent on collection efforts. Judge Amaker said the judiciary collected $500 million in fees across all courts but acknowledged the figure may include fines as well as mandatory surcharges. Sen. Hoylman-Sigal pressed for a timeline on the Housing Court Working Group's caseload determinations, noting that constituents are being evicted without attorneys despite New York City's right to counsel law. Judge Amaker said the group was working diligently but could not provide a specific date. Assemblyman Epstein criticized a proposed 3 percent increase in civil legal services funding—from $115 million to $116 million—as insufficient given increased poverty and legal needs. He disagreed with Judge Amaker's assertion that recruitment, rather than resources, is the primary barrier to expanding legal services statewide. The hearing also touched on court modernization, with Assemblyman Bores noting that criminal courts still operate largely on paper while Family Court has accelerated electronic filing. Judge Amaker said the judiciary plans to migrate all courts to the New York Bench electronic system but faces challenges retaining programmers. The Finance Committee hearing was held February 7, 2023. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE — A joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection revealed significant disparities in judicial system funding and raised concerns about ethics enforcement loopholes, with lawmakers pressing for increased investment in Family Court representation and assigned counsel rates that have remained stagnant since 2004. Administrator Robert Tembeckjian of the Commission on Judicial Conduct reported a record year in 2022, with the agency receiving over 2,400 complaints and publicly disciplining 25 judges, including 15 removals or resignations—the highest number since 2009. However, Tembeckjian highlighted a critical vulnerability: judges can resign during investigations to avoid accountability, a practice he said occurs at least twice yearly. He noted that New York is an outlier among 38 states that make disciplinary charges public once formally filed, and called for legislative action to expand the Commission's jurisdiction when judges resign after charges are brought. Patricia Warth, director of the Office of Indigent Legal Services, presented stark data showing the success of criminal defense investments under the Hurrell-Harring settlement—every county now provides counsel at arraignment, and 624 attorneys and 362 support staff have been added since 2018. But she emphasized a "story of failure" in Family Court, where weighted caseloads for attorneys are significantly higher and spending per case is less than half that of criminal defense. Warth requested $28 million for Family Court representation, compared to the Executive Budget's $4.5 million allocation, warning that underfunded representation disproportionately harms Black and brown families. On assigned counsel rates, Warth outlined four necessary components for any increase: state funding (which the Governor's proposal lacks for Article 18-B cases), elimination of case caps that discourage quality representation, uniform rates across the state (the Governor proposes $158/hour downstate and $119/hour upstate), and a mechanism for periodic increases. She argued the upstate rate is insufficient and perpetuates rural justice crises. Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal pressed both witnesses on transparency, questioning why New York lags other states in disclosure and whether the state's failure to invest in Family Court representation could trigger another Hurrell-Harring-style lawsuit. Warth acknowledged all ingredients for such litigation are present. The hearing, held Feb. 7, underscored legislative frustration with judicial ethics loopholes and funding gaps in legal services for low-income New Yorkers. NEW YORK — A joint legislative committee hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection revealed significant concerns about judicial conduct in deed theft cases and highlighted the state's substantial investments in cybersecurity and emergency services. Sen. Zellnor Myrie raised pointed questions about the Commission on Judicial Conduct's response to deed theft affecting Black and brown New Yorkers, criticizing the Kings County public administrator's office and the Office of Court Administration for failing to attend a prior hearing on the issue. Administrator Tembeckjian acknowledged the Commission's limitations, explaining it cannot reverse judicial decisions even when bias is found, but can investigate complaints of judicial incompetence or ethical violations. The hearing also focused heavily on public defense funding. Director Warth of Indigent Legal Services testified that increasing assigned counsel rates under Article 18-B would cost between $150 million and $180 million annually, based on 2019 case numbers. She emphasized that bail reform and discovery reform have significantly reduced pretrial detention, particularly in upstate counties, and urged the Legislature to maintain these reforms. She warned that when the state failed to pay for a 2004 rate increase, counties cut public defense services in other ways, leading to the Hurrell-Harring settlement. Sen. Jamaal Bailey strongly supported increased 18-B rates, arguing they directly affect families' lives and impact recidivism and family violence outcomes. Chair Krueger asked both judicial and public defense officials whether mandatory judicial training would help address systemic problems, receiving strong support from both. On emergency services and cybersecurity, Commissioner Jackie Bray of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services outlined a $9 billion agency budget, including $63 million in new appropriations. She highlighted that 76 percent of New York's 1,600+ volunteer fire departments have experienced recruitment declines, and the budget proposes $10 million for firefighter training stipends and $20 million for 911 modernization. Deputy CIO Jennifer Lorenz reported that the state's new Joint Security Operations Center (JSOC) is now fully operational 24/7, serving as a national model for cybersecurity coordination between state and local governments. The Governor's budget includes $33 million in new cybersecurity funding. ITS has also deployed language translation services to 84 state websites in 12 languages and hired the state's first chief privacy officer. The hearing, held Feb. 7 before the Joint Legislative Committee on Finance, underscored the administration's focus on criminal justice reform, public defense adequacy, and cybersecurity infrastructure as key budget priorities. New York State officials testified before a joint legislative committee on February 7 that they are expanding cybersecurity protections for local governments and counties while defending the state's response to a historic December blizzard that killed 47 people. The hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection revealed significant investments in cyber defense and emergency preparedness, though some lawmakers questioned whether funding levels were adequate. DHSES Commissioner Bray reported that the state has enrolled 43 counties and five major cities in a new endpoint protection program expected to cover 64,000 endpoints from local governments in coming months. The program, funded with $30 million in the proposed budget, was developed in response to a ransomware attack on Suffolk County that shut down government operations and stole nearly 4 terabytes of data. Commissioner Bray said DHSES responded to 54 cyberattacks on local governments and critical infrastructure this year, a rate he characterized as "relatively typical" but "definitely accelerating." Sen. Gonzalez pressed officials on the scope of ransomware threats and the percentage of state agencies using multifactor authentication, seeking concrete metrics on cybersecurity progress. OITS Deputy CIO Lorenz said the state has completed MFA rollout for public-facing websites and is pursuing a multilayered defense approach including identity access management and network security. The hearing also focused heavily on the December blizzard, which Commissioner Bray called "the longest blizzard in the continental United States history below 5,000 feet of elevation." He acknowledged that the state's response faced significant challenges, with first responders unable to deploy for 12 to 18 hours and about two-thirds of state response personnel and equipment getting stuck. State personnel made 650 saves during the response. Commissioner Bray said a formal after-action review will begin within weeks and take several months to complete. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton, the new chair of the Homeland Security Committee, asked whether the state had sufficient funding for emergency preparedness, and Commissioner Bray affirmed it did. The budget also includes $10 million for a new volunteer firefighter training stipend program offering $750 for basic training completion and $1,250 for interior firefighter training. Sen. Ashby questioned whether this was adequately funded for the state's 1,600 volunteer firefighters. On counterterrorism, Commissioner Bray highlighted a $10 million recurring appropriation from Governor Hochul focused on threat assessment and management teams to prevent targeted violence, particularly addressing the surge in antisemitic hate crimes. He noted that New York receives more federal not-for-profit security grant funding than any other state. Assemblyman McDonald, a former mayor, cautioned that the state should not rely solely on counties to communicate cybersecurity needs to smaller municipalities, noting that all governments, regardless of size, are vulnerable to attack. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2023-2024 PUBLIC PROTECTION BUDGET AMID VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER CRISIS AND CYBERSECURITY CONCERNS State officials testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that New York faces a crisis in its volunteer fire service and acknowledged significant gaps in cybersecurity funding for hospitals, as lawmakers questioned whether proposed budget investments adequately address these threats. Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Bray told the committee that mutual aid requests in the fire service have surged 160 percent over the past decade, indicating that local departments increasingly cannot respond to emergencies without outside help. The executive budget proposes $10 million for firefighter recruiting and training stipends of $750 for basic training and $1,250 for interior firefighting, along with 22 new positions dedicated to the volunteer fire service. Sen. Ashby questioned whether the funding was sufficient, noting that 76 percent of respondents indicated a real crisis exists. Commissioner Bray acknowledged the crisis and highlighted new emotional resilience workshops for first responders, though he cautioned it is difficult to measure effectiveness after only six months. The commissioner also announced the recent hire of deputy state fire administrator Luci Labriola-Cuffe, who has expertise in peer-to-peer support networks for firefighters. On cybersecurity, Sen. Myrie raised pointed questions about the adequacy of protections for hospitals following the One Brooklyn Health System cyberattack. Commissioner Bray acknowledged there is no specific hospital security funding in the current budget but indicated that hospital cybersecurity would be addressed through federal dollars this spring. He also advocated for mandatory cyber incident reporting across critical infrastructure sectors, noting that most cyber intrusions are currently reported on a voluntary basis. Sen. Murray pressed the commissioner on whether cybersecurity purchasing power tools were available to Suffolk County before its ransomware attack last year. Commissioner Bray acknowledged these were new investments from the prior year's budget and expressed belief that earlier availability could have prevented the attack. The state is conducting an after-action report on the Suffolk incident. The budget also includes $20 million for Next Gen 911 system upgrades, transitioning from copper wire to fiber infrastructure. Commissioner Bray acknowledged that current GPS systems in 911 centers are less advanced than those in food delivery apps, a gap the modernization aims to address over a three- to five-year period. Sen. Stec raised critical concerns about cell service gaps in the Adirondacks and North Country, where sheriffs report that 50 to 100 percent of 911 calls originate from cellphones. He challenged the commissioner's assertion that local government is blocking cell service expansion, instead pointing to economic factors and private provider decisions. Stec urged the state to develop a funding mechanism similar to broadband initiatives. OITS Deputy CIO Lorenz testified that the state supports 150,000 employees and has conducted over 50 job fairs this year to hire IT talent. He confirmed that TikTok has been blocked on state devices since 2020 except in exceptional circumstances requiring security review. The hearing, held February 7, 2023, reflected bipartisan concern about the adequacy of public protection investments and the state's preparedness for emerging threats. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON 2023-2024 PUBLIC PROTECTION BUDGET — Governor Hochul's proposed budget for public protection agencies drew mixed reactions from lawmakers on Tuesday, with particular scrutiny focused on the state's chronic inability to modernize aging computer systems and concerns about cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure. Chairwoman Liz Krueger expressed exasperation over decades-long failures to replace outdated systems, noting that the state has been unable to computerize the Housing and Community Renewal agency despite promises from former Governor Andrew Cuomo and that the WMS system—purchased in the late 1980s and now obsolete—still runs all social services. "Countries have seen governments rise and fall faster than New York State's been able to figure out how to computerize its state agencies," she said. OITS Deputy CIO Lorenz acknowledged the state's poor track record but said the current administration is taking a more strategic approach, with a new chief experience officer appointment and a focus on customer experience. He said the Integrated Eligibility System to replace WMS is targeted for 2026 completion, with 25 workstreams underway for legacy system remediation. On public safety, the hearing highlighted significant progress in reducing gun violence. Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado reported that shootings dropped 17 percent in New York City and 15 percent in Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) jurisdictions in 2022—representing 453 fewer shootings than 2021. The budget proposes doubling GIVE funding to $36.4 million and quadrupling Aid to Prosecution to $52.5 million. New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli reported that the agency seized 2,026 illegal guns between August 2021 and December 2022, a 138 percent increase. The budget includes funding for concurrent academy classes to rebuild staffing after pandemic-era hiring freezes. Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci reported alarming increases in prison violence: 1,469 assaults on staff in 2022 (up 25 percent from 2021) and 1,486 incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults (up 34 percent), both the highest rates ever recorded. The department is implementing a Prison Violence Task Force and launching SAVE (Supervision Against Violent Engagement) in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany. Sen. O'Mara raised concerns about cybersecurity threats to New York's electrical grid and asked about EMP vulnerabilities following the Chinese balloon incident. DHSES Commissioner Bray said he is "never comfortable" with grid security but expressed confidence in private-sector energy providers' commitment to cybersecurity. He noted that upgrading 911 technology statewide would cost "well north of $100 million" and require a new statewide network. The hearing revealed the administration's focus on evidence-based crime reduction programs while grappling with persistent challenges in IT modernization and rising prison violence. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE — Lawmakers pressed state public protection officials on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget during a joint legislative hearing Tuesday, with particular skepticism directed at proposed bail reform changes that lack empirical support for reducing crime. DCJS Commissioner Rosado acknowledged that current data shows failure-to-appear and rearrest rates are "flat" between qualifying and non-qualifying offenses, yet the Governor's budget proposes removing the least-restrictive-means standard for bail determinations. Sen. Jamaal Bailey and Assemblyman Dinowitz both questioned whether the changes are justified without evidence they will reduce crime, with Bailey noting the empirical data "doesn't necessarily match with the specific requested changes at present time." Rosado defended the proposal as addressing confusion among judges in applying existing reforms, citing feedback the Governor received from practitioners. However, Assemblyman Dinowitz suggested judicial training might be a better solution than changing the law itself. On gun violence prevention, the budget proposes $21 million for the SNUG program—unchanged from last year—despite rising gun violence concerns. Rosado reported that SNUG site shootings are down 32 percent and GIVE site shootings down 15 percent. The budget also includes $40 million for discovery reform implementation, with $29 million of last year's $40 million appropriation already distributed to counties based on arraignment volume. DOCCS Acting Commissioner Annucci outlined an $8 million budget increase focused on the SAVE initiative, which will expand a successful Rochester program targeting high-risk individuals released from prison. The program uses 20-to-1 caseloads with GPS monitoring and wraparound services. Annucci also detailed plans for 80 body scanners ($13 million) across state facilities and proposed lowering the corrections officer minimum age from 21 to 19 to address severe staffing shortages—currently 867 vacancies with 1,150 projected by year-end. State Police Acting Superintendent Nigrelli reported no complaints or arrests under the new concealed carry law and outlined a $100 million proposal for a forensic lab satellite facility retrofit in Albany. He also noted 39 Park Police candidates are in academy training, with another class planned for fall. The hearing revealed significant budget investments in criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention, but highlighted ongoing tensions between lawmakers and agency officials over whether proposed changes are evidence-based. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE — Acting Commissioner Brian Annucci of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision faced pointed questioning on Feb. 7 about escalating prison violence and the implementation of the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement, during a joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection agencies. Sen. Jim Stec raised concerns that the HALT Act's provision of unlimited tablet and phone access in Restricted Housing Units creates perverse incentives, making RRU placement more desirable than general population or Honor Block status. "You're giving it away and you're not letting them earn it," Stec said, questioning how this improves behavior and safety. Annucci defended the policy as necessary to mitigate isolation while the department transitions away from traditional solitary confinement, noting that incarcerated individuals spent 54 million minutes on phones in 2022 (he initially misstated the figure as 254 million). The hearing revealed troubling violence trends: assaults on staff increased 25% in 2022, while incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults rose 34%. Annucci acknowledged the trend is continuing into 2023. Sen. John Borrello questioned whether solitary confinement conditions are as harsh as portrayed, while Annucci described current SHU conditions as including four hours of out-of-cell time, programming, recreation, tablets with phone capability, and regular staff contact. Staffing challenges dominated much of the discussion. Executive Deputy Commissioner Vincent Martuscello revealed that corrections officers can be forced to work 16-hour days with no limit on consecutive days, though overtime is capped at 16 hours per day. Assemblyman Giglio expressed concern about the impact on officer morale and retention. Martuscello reported 750 officers signed up for a new open enrollment system in January alone. State Police Superintendent Steven Nigrelli reported a 138% increase in illegal weapons recovery from August 2021 to December 2022, including ghost guns. However, he acknowledged that oral fluids testing technology for marijuana impairment remains under scientific validation and is not field-ready—two years after the recreational marijuana law passed. Assemblyman Tannousis expressed frustration that the previous superintendent had assured legislators the technology would be available. DCJS Commissioner Kristen Rosado announced that the Executive Budget doubles funding for alternatives to incarceration programs from $15.7 million to $31.4 million and includes $40 million for county prosecutors. She reported 4,000 ERPOs filed since the Buffalo shooting legislation. Assemblywoman Assemblywoman Walker raised concerns that the Governor's proposed bail reform would eliminate the "least restrictive means" standard and give judges unfettered discretion, potentially exacerbating racial disparities in bail decisions. Commissioner Rosado said DCJS has tools to measure and address such disparities through data analysis. Sen. Zellnor Myrie pressed Annucci on whether the Prison Violence Task Force had identified specific root causes of violence, expressing frustration that the commissioner offered only programmatic responses rather than concrete findings. Myrie also questioned why risk assessment algorithms used for parolees could not be applied to incarcerated individuals being considered for parole board review. NEW YORK — State corrections officials acknowledged significant challenges implementing the HALT Act during a joint legislative budget hearing Tuesday, admitting that the department has not yet achieved full compliance with the law nearly a year after its April 2022 implementation, despite receiving $50 million in dedicated funding. Executive Deputy Commissioner Martuscello reported that while the department has reduced the number of incarcerated individuals held beyond the 15-day segregation limit from over 200 to 21, DOCCS continues to struggle with surging prison violence. Assaults on staff have increased 25 percent and incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults have jumped 34 percent, straining the department's capacity to comply with HALT's requirements for out-of-cell programming. The violence surge has forced DOCCS to reinstitute restraints on some individuals and has created a bottleneck in the Residential Rehabilitation Unit system, where individuals are supposed to receive seven hours of out-of-cell time daily. Martuscello explained that the department exceeded its initial $69 million capital allocation, spending over $110 million on HALT implementation, including recreational areas and expanded capacity. Acting Commissioner Annucci reported 113 deaths in DOCCS custody in 2022—55 from natural causes, 17 suicides, and 2 homicides—representing an 18 percent decrease from 2001. He highlighted reentry initiatives, including the Edgecombe Transitional Housing program with 70 beds and a stipend program providing up to $100 weekly for 12 weeks to incentivize housing acceptance. Chair Liz Krueger raised concerns about the pipeline from prisons to homelessness, citing data showing that the percentage of releases entering the NYC shelter system has grown from 23 percent in 2014 to approximately 50 percent today. She also questioned the correlation between mental illness and incarceration, noting that roughly 40 percent of the SHU population is on the Office of Mental Health caseload. Senator Jamaal Bailey pressed officials on the state ID implementation program, currently operating in only three facilities, questioning how the department plans to expand the program to all 54 prisons. Commissioner Annucci said he would provide a timeline for expansion. The department faces a staffing crisis, with 2,900 corrections officer positions vacant below budgeted levels. Officials attributed retention challenges to concerns about personal safety and the perception among some incarcerated individuals that there are no consequences for violence. Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosado reported that the GIVE program supports 20 police departments in 17 counties, representing approximately 80 percent of violent crime outside New York City. He confirmed that additional GIVE funding in the Governor's proposal would support both current GIVE cities and expansion to new jurisdictions. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON 2023-2024 PUBLIC PROTECTION BUDGET Albany — The New York State Senate and Assembly Finance Committees held a joint hearing Tuesday on the Governor's 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection, hearing testimony from state corrections and law enforcement officials, criminal justice advocates, and representatives of volunteer firefighters. State corrections officials reported significant progress in reducing contraband in prisons through a new vendor package program, citing a dramatic drop from 710 contraband instances in 2021 to just 30 since the program's implementation. The program allows incarcerated people to order from any vendor, including major retailers, rather than receiving packages mailed directly by families. Officials also reported a 13 percent decrease in Narcan usage and a 64 percent increase in visitor arrests. However, the hearing also revealed concerning trends in prison violence. Executive Deputy Commissioner Martuscello reported that five-person-plus fights increased from 70 instances in 2021 to 110 in 2022, a 57 percent jump. Acting Commissioner Annucci attributed the increase partly to demographic shifts, noting that 74 percent of the current prison population are violent felony offenders by instant offense, rising to 84 percent when including secondary and past crimes. Criminal justice advocates pressed lawmakers to pass several reform measures. The Center for Community Alternatives testified in opposition to the Governor's proposed elimination of the "least restrictive standard" in bail reform, noting that 33 other states use such a standard and none have eliminated it entirely. The organization advocated for passage of the Clean Slate Act, citing Michigan research showing that sealing criminal records increases employment by 11 percent and earnings by 25 percent, with potential economic benefits to New York State of $7 billion. The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign urged passage of Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills, arguing that releasing elder and infirm incarcerated people—who pose minimal public safety risk—could save $500 million annually. Campaign director Jose Saldana noted that recidivism rates for people released at age 66 or older are zero percent. Chaplain Dr. Victoria A. Phillips testified in support of the Treatment Not Jail Act (S1976/A1263), emphasizing that jails are inappropriate for people experiencing mental health crises and advocating for community-based alternatives including respite centers and clubhouses. Assemblywoman Kelles pressed officials for more detailed data on violence trends and earned time programs, noting that New York has one of the most conservative earned time statutes compared to other states, including Alabama and Texas. The Firefighters Association of the State of New York testified that the state has lost 20,000 volunteer firefighters over 20 years and that nearly 80 percent of fire protection services outside New York City depend on volunteers. The organization expressed support for the Governor's proposed paid-per-call compensation and training stipend programs, while calling for permanent statutory funding mechanisms. State corrections officials confirmed that approximately 70 percent or higher of incarcerated individuals need substance abuse treatment and that the Executive Budget includes funding to address the opioid and fentanyl crisis. NEW YORK — Law enforcement unions and prosecutors testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that New York's public safety agencies face a staffing crisis driven by recruitment and retention challenges, with some officials blaming recent criminal justice reforms for deteriorating conditions. The hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget's public protection provisions featured urgent testimony from union leaders representing state police investigators, park police, correctional officers, and volunteer firefighters, as well as district attorneys struggling to implement discovery reforms. Michael Powers, president of the Correctional Officers union, delivered the most pointed testimony, attributing record prison violence to the HALT Act, which took effect April 1, 2022. He cited single-year records in both inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults, including two inmate murders in the weeks following HALT's enactment—matching the total homicides from the previous three years combined. Powers described the violence as increasingly brazen, citing a sexual assault on a female officer at Attica Correctional Facility and an incident where an inmate attacked staff with a weapon. "The morale of our members is the lowest I've seen, and I've got 33 years in this agency," Powers said. Frank McGarity, director of the Park Police union, testified that the agency has lost one-third of its workforce since 2019, dropping from 266 officers to 178 currently. He attributed the exodus to an outdated 25-year retirement plan while nearly every other law enforcement agency in New York offers 20-year retirement. The Park Police's 178 officers protect 287 state parks and historic sites visited by 78 million people annually. McGarity noted the agency has lost 11 women officers since 2019, undermining efforts to meet the governor's 30x30 initiative to increase women in law enforcement to 30 percent by 2030. Tim Dymond, president of the State Police Investigators Association, reported that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation is down 100 investigators statewide and realistically needs 200 more to operate effectively. He cited a 470 percent increase in TERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order) cases from 2021 to 2022, with each case requiring roughly eight hours of preparation work. President Tase of the Firefighters Association highlighted recruitment challenges for volunteer firefighters, noting that equipment costs exceed $10,000 per firefighter. He advocated for increased state income tax credits (currently $200, unchanged for over 20 years) and gas card programs to provide tangible incentives for younger volunteers. Tase cited a 2015 study valuing the volunteer fire service at $3.3 billion annually in prevented tax increases. Mary Pat Donnelly, testifying on behalf of the District Attorneys Association, emphasized that prosecutors' offices need increased funding to implement discovery reforms under Article 245. She noted that prior to reforms, only 3 percent of cases involved discovery, but the new law requires discovery in every case within 20-35 days. A simple DWI case can generate up to 8 hours of body camera footage requiring review and redaction before disclosure. Donnelly's own office in Rensselaer County is funded for 15 assistant district attorneys but currently has only 10, having lost five attorneys in 2022 to higher-paying positions. Several senators signaled support for the testifiers' requests. Sen. Hinchey strongly endorsed the 20-year retirement benefit for Park Police and asked about capital funding for volunteer firehouses. Sen. O'Mara focused on correctional officer safety concerns, noting a constituent's hesitation about entering the field due to safety fears. Sen. Palumbo, a former prosecutor, pressed Powers on the discipline system in prisons, questioning what consequences exist for non-violent infractions like vulgar language toward staff. The hearing underscored tensions between recent criminal justice reforms and public safety officials' operational concerns, with union leaders and prosecutors seeking budget increases to address staffing shortages and implementation costs while some lawmakers appeared sympathetic to their pleas. NEW YORK — Advocates and criminal justice officials testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday evening about significant funding gaps in the state's 2023-2024 public protection budget, with particular focus on immigration legal services, criminal discovery implementation, and prison reform. The hearing revealed a stark disparity in funding between prosecutors and defense attorneys. Lisa Schreibersdorf, executive director of Brooklyn Defender Services, testified that district attorneys received almost $100 million in the budget while public defenders received only $7.5 million, despite bearing equivalent obligations to review and store digital discovery materials. "We have the same obligation. We have to watch every single video, because it could be the one angle that somebody's looking at that can change the whole case," Schreibersdorf said, calling for funding parity. Immigration advocates urged the Legislature to pass the Access to Representation Act and allocate $100 million for immigration legal services. Shayna Kessler of the Vera Institute of Justice noted that Governor Hochul's budget included only $43 million, falling short of the need to serve approximately 60,000 immigrants in immigration court without counsel. Kayla Kelechian of the New York Immigration Coalition cited a 2018 study showing that legal representation increases chances of winning asylum cases by 1,100 percent. Yonah Zeitz of the Katal Center for Equity, Health and Justice testified against the Governor's proposal to gut bail reform, citing 19 deaths on Rikers Island in the past year—the most in a decade—and noting that Rikers costs more than $500,000 per year per person. "If politics followed the data, we wouldn't be here, because data is clear. Bail reform works," Zeitz said. Katherine Haas of the Legal Aid Society's Prisoners' Rights Project testified that the Department of Corrections has failed to implement the 2021 HALT Act, which was designed to severely curtail segregated confinement. She described torturous conditions including lights on all night, frigid temperatures, and insufficient food, stating that DOCCS violates nearly every major provision of the law. Sen. Jamaal Bailey pressed DA Donnelly on why district attorneys had not applied for available discovery funding, learning that county governments had to approve plans before submission, creating bureaucratic obstacles. Bailey suggested direct state-to-DA funding might be more efficient. The hearing underscored tensions between law enforcement and defense advocates over resource allocation, with defenders arguing they face equivalent burdens under the state's aggressive discovery timeline but receive a fraction of the funding provided to prosecutors. A New York State Senate Finance Committee hearing on the 2023-2024 executive budget for public protection heard testimony on Tuesday about significant operational inefficiencies in how police departments and district attorneys share case information. Ms. Schreibersdorf, testifying before the joint legislative committee, identified the Microsoft OneDrive platform currently used by district attorneys as a major bottleneck in inter-agency data sharing. She explained that because OneDrive lacks direct transfer capabilities between accounts, law enforcement must manually download files from DA accounts and re-upload them to their own systems—a process she characterized as consuming "a huge amount of time and a huge amount of energy" while straining storage capacity. Schreibersdorf also criticized OneDrive's functionality for core prosecutorial tasks, stating it is "a particularly bad program for sorting, finding, filing and using" and lacks the ability to manipulate documents online. She advocated for identifying alternative technological solutions to improve the information-sharing process. Sen. Bailey pressed Schreibersdorf on whether statutory reforms to New York's discovery law or bail statutes were necessary to address the coordination problems. Schreibersdorf declined to recommend legislative changes to either area, suggesting the issues were primarily operational and technological rather than legal. The hearing, which concluded at 7:38 p.m., was chaired by Chairwoman Krueger. A follow-up hearing on education budget matters was scheduled for the following morning at 9:30 a.m.