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 depleted by pandemic-related staffing losses and address mounting case backlogs during a joint legislative budget hearing Tuesday. Judge Amaker told the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees that the Judiciary lost nearly 2,900 nonjudicial employees—roughly 17 percent of its workforce—between 2010 and the end of 2021, with hundreds departing during the COVID-19 pandemic when a hiring freeze was in effect. The budget request includes funding for 20 new Supreme and Family Court judgeships, a 3 percent increase in civil legal services funding to support 82 providers statewide, and implementation of collective bargaining agreements costing $130 million retroactively. Judge Amaker cited significant court backlogs: approximately 81,000 cases in New York City Family Court, 21,000 in NYC Criminal Court, and 11,000 to 12,000 in NYC Criminal Supreme Court. She highlighted a Gun Parts initiative that resolved 2,600 cases from April 2022 onward through expedited procedures and specialized judicial training. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman pressed Judge Amaker on whether judges are adequately trained on pretrial criminal justice reforms, repeatedly asking whether training should be mandatory statewide and requesting public disclosure of training materials and judge attendance records. Judge Amaker acknowledged concerns but noted that the overwhelming majority of judges voluntarily attend training sessions. She also raised alarm about judicial security, reporting a 40 percent increase in threats against judges from 2020 to 2022 and receiving weekly eight-page reports on judicial threats from courts outside New York City. Judge Amaker urged lawmakers to support a Judicial Protection Act that would remove judges' personal information from public access. Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine questioned the adequacy of proposed 18-B assigned counsel rates of $158 per hour in the metropolitan area and $119 elsewhere, noting that a two-week trial could exceed the anticipated $10,000 case cap, and suggested expanding the Gun Parts model beyond New York City to address gun violence statewide. NEW YORK — The Office of Court Administration faced intense scrutiny during a joint legislative budget hearing on Tuesday, with lawmakers pressing Acting Chief Administrative Judge Jeffrey Amaker on security details for a former chief judge, court backlogs, and alleged systemic corruption within the judiciary. Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) aggressively questioned who authorized and approved ongoing security protection for the former chief judge, a former employee no longer serving in the judiciary. Judge Amaker explained that the Department of Public Safety made the determination, citing over 50 investigated threats against the former judge, including a 2018 incident where a litigant stalked her to her vacation home. However, Amaker declined to confirm whether the security detail remains active, citing safety concerns. Gianaris expressed frustration that the OCA was not providing direct answers and cited a Law360 report alleging a $2.5 billion corruption problem within the Court of Appeals involving judges receiving unreported public benefits. On court operations, Judge Amaker testified that the OCA processed 2.1 million filings last year and resolved nearly that many cases, but significant backlogs persist across multiple court types due to COVID-19 pandemic impacts. The most serious backlogs exist in Criminal Term Supreme Court, Family Court, Housing Court, and Surrogate's Court. The OCA is requesting additional funding for staff and judges, with costs of approximately $1 million per new judgeship when accounting for supporting personnel. Sen. Jamaal Bailey (D-Bronx) emphasized that the Bronx was disproportionately affected when 47 judges were decertified during the pandemic and pressed Amaker on whether judges are properly understanding and applying recent bail reform changes, particularly the "harm on harm" provision. Amaker confirmed that judges received mandatory training on May 6, 2022, prior to the May 9 effective date of the most recent changes. On diversity, Judge Amaker noted that three of four deputy chief administrative judges are judges of color and highlighted the Scales of Justice Academy, which brings approximately 50 high school students of color through the court system annually. Sen. Kevin Thomas (D-Long Island) raised a compliance issue regarding judgment interest rates in Housing Court, noting that despite a 2011 law reducing the rate from 9 percent to 2 percent for consumer debt matters, some courts continue applying the higher rate. Judge Amaker committed to investigating immediately. The hearing, held before the Joint Legislative Committee on Finance, focused on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget proposal for the judiciary. The OCA is requesting an additional $43 million appropriation to cover proposed 18-B attorney rate increases. NEW YORK — The state judiciary faced pointed criticism from lawmakers over diversion court funding, judicial training, and mandatory court fees during a joint legislative budget hearing on Tuesday, with legislators arguing the court system is underfunded and judges lack adequate education on new laws. Acting Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Amaker defended the judiciary's 2023-2024 budget proposal, which includes a $121 million increase, but encountered skepticism from multiple senators and assembly members who questioned whether the funding adequately addresses critical needs. Sen. Ramos challenged the judiciary's commitment to diversion courts, noting that only $2 million is currently budgeted despite evidence that $15 million could expand the programs statewide beyond Brooklyn and Ontario counties. "How committed are you if you're not proposing an expansion in your budget?" Ramos asked. Judge Amaker attributed the modest funding to declining usage rates, but Ramos countered that judges may not be encouraging the programs sufficiently. Chairwoman Krueger raised broader concerns about judicial training, arguing that judges should be required to take continuing education on new laws similar to doctors and lawyers. She expressed frustration that the judiciary cannot demonstrate judges actually understand current laws. "We don't have any evidence of that because there's not actually data, there's not testing of judges," Krueger said. Judge Amaker defended judges' understanding, attributing divergent decisions to judicial discretion rather than ignorance of the law. Assemblyman Burgos pressed Judge Amaker on mandatory court fees, citing a 2017 NYC Comptroller report showing 139,000 surcharges totaling $19 million. He noted that fees of $95 for violations, $175 for misdemeanors, and $300 for felonies fuel poverty cycles and create barriers to reentry. Judge Amaker acknowledged collecting $500 million in fees annually but said the judiciary's budget is not dependent on fee revenue. Assemblyman Epstein criticized a minimal 3 percent increase in civil legal services funding ($115 million to $116 million), arguing it is 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 counsel access. Sen. Hoylman-Sigal questioned the timeline for the Housing Court Working Group to address the lack of counsel for tenants despite New York City's right to counsel law, while Sen. Rolison raised concerns about the shortage of secured beds for juveniles in Family Court outside New York City. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly on February 7, highlighted tensions between the judiciary and legislators over budget priorities, judicial accountability, and access to justice. NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE EXAMINES JUDICIAL BUDGET AMID ETHICS ENFORCEMENT SURGE AND FAMILY COURT FUNDING CRISIS The New York State Senate and Assembly held a joint hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection on February 7, examining the state's judicial system operations, ethics enforcement, and indigent legal services. The hearing revealed a record year for judicial discipline but exposed significant disparities in funding for Family Court representation compared to criminal defense. The Commission on Judicial Conduct reported receiving over 2,400 complaints in 2022—several hundred more than its previous high—and publicly disciplined 25 judges, including 15 who resigned or were removed from office. This marked the highest number of disciplinary actions since 2009. Administrator Robert Tembeckjian highlighted a critical vulnerability in New York's system: judges can escape discipline by resigning, a practice that occurs at least twice yearly. He noted that 38 other states make disciplinary proceedings public at the point of formal charges, while New York keeps all proceedings confidential until final disposition. Tembeckjian advocated for legislative reforms to expand the Commission's jurisdiction over judges who resign after formal charges are filed and to make proceedings public earlier in the process. Patricia Warth, director of the Office of Indigent Legal Services, presented stark data on representation disparities. While criminal defense has benefited from significant state investment under the Hurrell-Harring settlement—resulting in 624 new attorney positions and 362 non-attorney positions since 2018, with weighted caseloads declining and spending per case increasing—Family Court representation remains severely underfunded. Warth documented that Family Court weighted caseloads are significantly higher than criminal caseloads and spending per case is less than half that of criminal cases. She warned that this disparity disproportionately impacts Black and brown families, resulting in unnecessary family separations and foster care placements. Warth requested $28 million in state funding for Family Court representation, compared to the $4.5 million in the Executive Budget. She also criticized the Governor's proposed 18-B assigned counsel rate increase, which has not been raised since 2004, for including problematic geographic distinctions ($158 per hour downstate, $119 upstate) and case caps that discourage quality representation and incentivize guilty pleas. She called for eliminating these provisions and establishing a mechanism for periodic rate increases. Senators and Assembly members pressed for greater transparency and equity. Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal questioned why Family Court representation has not been prioritized equally with criminal defense and asked whether the state faces exposure to another Hurrell-Harring-style lawsuit. Assemblywoman Kelles, an epidemiologist, challenged assertions that data collection on judicial decision-making is impossible, citing 38 other jurisdictions successfully tracking the application of least restrictive means standards. Assemblyman Lavine sought clarification on how often judges resign while under investigation and whether New York's highest court has a separate ethics code. The hearing underscored tensions between the judiciary's operational needs, ethics enforcement capacity, and the Legislature's commitment to equitable legal representation across the court system. NEW YORK — State officials testified before a joint legislative committee on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget's public protection components on Tuesday, with heated exchanges over judicial conduct, assigned counsel rates, and bail reform implementation. Sen. Zellnor Myrie pressed the Commission on Judicial Conduct on deed theft cases affecting Black and brown New Yorkers, noting that the Office of Court Administration and Kings County public administrator's office declined to testify at an October hearing on the topic. Administrator Tembeckjian acknowledged the Commission's limitations, explaining it cannot reverse judicial decisions even if bias is found, but can investigate complaints of judicial incompetence or ethical violations. Director Warth of Indigent Legal Services advocated for eliminating or significantly raising the cap on assigned counsel fees, estimating the cost of increasing 18-B rates at $150-180 million annually based on 2019 case numbers. She presented data showing significant reductions in pretrial detention post-bail reform in five Hurrell-Harring counties, particularly for low-level nonviolent offenses. Sen. Bailey praised her work, emphasizing that assigned counsel rate increases have real-world impacts on families, recidivism, and family violence. DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray outlined the division's $9 billion budget, which includes $63 million in new appropriations for volunteer fire service support and cybersecurity expansion. She noted that 76 percent of New York's 1,600+ volunteer fire departments reported declining volunteer service in recent years. The budget proposes $10 million for a volunteer firefighter training stipend and $20 million to strengthen 911 operations. Deputy CIO Jennifer Lorenz highlighted the newly operational Joint Security Operations Center, a 24/7 threat monitoring hub that is becoming a national model for state and local cybersecurity coordination. ITS has deployed language translation services to 84 public-facing websites and hired the state's first chief privacy officer. Chair Krueger asked both judicial and ITS officials whether mandatory judicial training would help address systemic problems, with both expressing support for the concept. The hearing revealed ongoing tensions over judicial accountability, criminal defense funding, and the implementation of recent criminal justice reforms. NEW YORK STATE OFFICIALS DEFEND CYBERSECURITY SPENDING, BLIZZARD RESPONSE AT BUDGET HEARING State officials testified before the Joint Legislative Committee on Finance on Tuesday that New York is adequately funded to combat escalating cybersecurity threats and respond to natural disasters, even as lawmakers questioned whether investments are sufficient to protect vulnerable local governments. The hearing focused on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection, with particular emphasis on a $30 million cybersecurity initiative and the state's response to December's devastating Buffalo blizzard that killed 47 people. DHSES Commissioner John Bray reported that the state has enrolled 43 counties and five major cities in a new endpoint protection program designed to prevent ransomware attacks like the one that crippled Suffolk County government last year and stole nearly 4 terabytes of data. The program expects to protect approximately 64,000 endpoints over the coming months. "We certainly have seen an increase in ransomware attacks," Bray said, noting that DHSES responded to 54 cyberattacks on localities, school boards, and critical infrastructure this year. He characterized the trend as "relatively typical of the last couple of years, but it is definitely accelerating." Sen. Gonzalez pressed officials on implementation details, asking what percentage of state agencies have deployed multifactor authentication and whether the state is adequately addressing vulnerabilities posed by third-party contractors. OITS Deputy CIO Lorenz said the state has completed MFA rollout for public-facing sites and is pursuing a "multilayered defense approach" including identity access management and network security. On the December blizzard, Bray defended the state's response while acknowledging the need for improvement. He described the storm as "the longest blizzard in the continental United States history below 5,000 feet of elevation" and said state personnel made 650 saves during the response. However, he acknowledged that first responders were "frozen in place" for 30-37 hours and said a formal after-action review will examine what could have been done differently. Sen. Borrello, a Western New Yorker, questioned whether the driving ban was imposed too late, allowing people to leave for work before conditions deteriorated. Bray noted that such decisions are delegated to counties and localities, not the state. Assemblyman Otis, chair of the Science and Technology Committee and a former mayor, praised the aggressive cybersecurity stance but expressed concern about protecting smaller municipalities and school districts. He asked whether the state should establish a dedicated funding stream for local government cybersecurity, noting that many rely on advice from insurance carriers rather than state expertise. Bray indicated that federal funding should be the primary source, but acknowledged the state may need to fill gaps. He predicted the ransomware insurance market will evolve to require certain security measures—such as endpoint protection and backup systems—before insurers will offer coverage. Assemblyman Dinowitz focused on domestic terrorism prevention, asking Bray to detail efforts to combat antisemitic hate crimes, which he noted comprise approximately two-thirds of religious-based hate crimes despite Jewish people comprising only 2-3 percent of the population. Bray outlined three initiatives: administering federal not-for-profit security grants, establishing threat assessment and management teams, and developing training programs to help educators and mental health professionals spot radicalization. The hearing also addressed a $10 million volunteer firefighter training stipend program. Sen. Ashby questioned whether the funding was adequate, noting that the math suggested roughly $6,000 per department for approximately 1,600 volunteer firefighters. Bray said the funding was calculated based on historical participation rates in training courses and included a cushion to ensure all eligible firefighters receive stipends. Bray also noted that the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant program is expected to provide no more than $20 million over five years for New York—far below what the state needs to adequately protect local governments from cyber threats. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES 2023-2024 PUBLIC PROTECTION BUDGET AMID VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER CRISIS The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing on February 7, 2023, to examine the 2023-2024 executive budget for public protection, with testimony from Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Bray and Office of Information Technology Services Deputy CIO Lorenz. Commissioner Bray acknowledged a full-blown crisis in the volunteer fire service, citing a 160 percent increase in mutual aid requests over the past decade and noting that 76 percent of respondents reported a real issue in the sector. The budget allocates $10 million toward volunteer firefighter recruiting and provides 18 additional Fire Protection Specialists to expand training capacity. The administration is offering stipends of $750 for basic interior firefighting training and $1,250 for interior firefighting, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate working firefighters. Senators pressed Bray on cybersecurity investments following high-profile attacks. Sen. Murray questioned whether protections available to counties under a new state program could have prevented the Suffolk County cyberattack, which crippled county operations and forced 911 operators to use paper records. Bray acknowledged the program was still being rolled out when the attack occurred. Sen. Myrie raised concerns about the One Brooklyn Health System cyberattack and questioned whether the budget adequately funds hospital cybersecurity, noting there is no specific hospital security funding in the current budget. The hearing also addressed 911 system modernization, with the budget allocating $20 million for Next Gen 911 infrastructure upgrades to transition from copper wire to fiber-enabled systems. Commissioner Bray acknowledged that current GPS systems in 911 centers are less advanced than food delivery apps, contributing to misdirected calls. Sen. Stec raised pointed questions about cell service gaps in the Adirondacks, where emergency 911 calls originating from cellphones cannot reach responders due to poor coverage. He corrected Bray's assertion that local government was blocking cell service expansion, stating the issue was economic rather than regulatory. Deputy CIO Lorenz reported that OITS has conducted over 50 job fairs this year and has SUNY/CUNY partnerships underway to address hiring challenges. He noted the agency has moved beyond legacy system issues through strategic planning and cyber remediation efforts funded in previous budgets. The hearing reflected bipartisan concern about emergency services capacity, cybersecurity preparedness, and infrastructure gaps in rural areas. 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 during a joint legislative hearing Tuesday, with lawmakers praising crime reduction initiatives while expressing deep frustration over decades of failed technology modernization efforts. The Division of Criminal Justice Services reported significant progress in reducing gun violence, with shootings down 17 percent in New York City and 15 percent in targeted jurisdictions in 2022—representing 453 fewer shootings than the prior year. DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado announced the Governor's budget would provide $100 million for evidence-based crime reduction programs, including doubled funding for alternative-to-incarceration programs ($31.4 million) and the GIVE gun violence initiative ($36.4 million). The New York State Police highlighted seizure of 2,026 illegal guns between August 2021 and December 2022, a 138 percent increase, and requested budget approval for concurrent academy classes to rebuild staffing depleted by pandemic-era hiring freezes. Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli said the agency had not graduated a new trooper class for two years. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reported alarming increases in facility violence, with assaults on staff rising 25 percent to 1,469 incidents in 2022, and incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults jumping 34 percent to 1,486—both record highs. Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci attributed the increases to contraband introduction and announced new deescalation training and a Moderate Aggression Program. But Chairwoman Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) delivered a scathing critique of state technology failures, noting that a welfare system (WMS) purchased in the late 1980s remains in use despite being outdated when acquired. She cited her own 1988 lawsuit challenging the system's implementation and said the state has failed to modernize housing agency systems despite promises from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. "Countries have seen governments rise and fall faster than New York State's been able to figure out how to computerize its state agencies," Krueger said. OITS Deputy CIO Lorenz acknowledged the failures, saying the state has been "very tactical" due to funding constraints and workforce reductions. He said the Integrated Eligibility System to replace WMS targets completion by 2026, with small wins including a new NYDocSubmit application allowing online document uploads. On cybersecurity, DHSES Commissioner Bray announced a new Joint Security Operations Center with ITS to merge threat data across agencies and increased cyber incident response capacity. He said New York State has not paid ransomware demands under his tenure and recommended against ransom payments except when lives are at imminent risk. Sen. O'Mara (R-Chemung) pressed Bray on electrical grid security, asking whether the state has adequate resources to protect against cyber and physical attacks. Bray said private operators bear primary responsibility but that the state is adding industrial control systems expertise this year, with focus on grid protection. The hearing also addressed volunteer firefighter recruitment, with DHSES reporting a loss of approximately 20,000 volunteer firefighters over the past decade. Commissioner Bray said the state would allow local governments to offer nominal fee stipends—capped at 20 percent of volunteer benefits—but made them optional rather than mandatory, arguing a "cookie-cutter approach" would not work across diverse communities. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton (R-Staten Island) raised concerns about 911 system deficiencies, noting that Staten Island residents' calls are sometimes routed to New Jersey. Bray estimated upgrading the statewide network would cost "well north of $100 million" over several years, shared between state and local governments. He noted a House bill providing significant Next Gen 911 funding passed last Congress but failed in the Senate. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE QUESTIONS BAIL REFORM EVIDENCE AT BUDGET HEARING Albany — State senators pressed administration officials Tuesday on the empirical basis for proposed bail reform changes in the 2023-2024 Executive Budget, with data presented at the hearing showing no meaningful difference in failure-to-appear rates between defendants charged with qualifying and non-qualifying offenses. During a joint legislative hearing on the public protection budget, Sen. Jamaal Bailey and Assemblyman Dinowitz repeatedly asked DCJS Commissioner Rosado whether evidence supports removing the "least-restrictive-means" standard for bail determinations—a centerpiece of the Governor's proposal. Commissioner Rosado acknowledged that current data shows failure-to-appear and rearrest rates are "basically flat" across offense categories, yet defended the proposal as addressing confusion among judges about how to apply existing bail laws. "The data doesn't bear that out so far," Sen. Gallivan said, questioning whether the state should follow 49 other states in allowing judges to consider a defendant's dangerousness to the community. "Shouldn't that always be our goal?" he asked, referring to reducing crime to zero. Commissioner Rosado countered that "bail has never been a crime-prevention tool," noting it is designed to ensure court appearance. She said the Governor heard feedback from judges and communities about confusion in implementation. The hearing also addressed gun violence prevention funding. The Executive Budget proposes $21 million for the SNUG program—unchanged from last year—despite rising gun violence. Commissioner Rosado reported that SNUG site shootings are down 32 percent and GIVE site shootings down 15 percent, but did not directly answer whether the funding level is sufficient. On corrections issues, Acting Commissioner Annucci testified that DOCCS faces 867 current corrections officer vacancies, projected to reach 1,150 by year-end. The budget proposes lowering the minimum age for corrections officers from 21 to 19 to address recruitment challenges. Annucci compared the proposal to military service and cited rigorous psychological screening and training requirements. The administration also proposed $13 million for 80 body scanners across state prisons as an alternative to strip frisks, and detailed a new SAVE initiative targeting high-risk individuals released from prison, with 66 positions and GPS monitoring. Acting State Police Superintendent Nigrelli testified on a $100 million forensic lab expansion in Albany, noting the current 1994-era facility is overcrowded, with scientists using storage closets as offices. He also reported no enforcement actions or complaints related to the concealed carry law changes passed last July, and discussed ongoing work with the Department of Parks and Recreation on Park Police operations. The hearing revealed tensions between lawmakers seeking evidence-based policy changes and administration officials defending proposals based on feedback from judges and communities. The committee did not vote on any measures. NEW YORK STATE LAWMAKERS GRILL CORRECTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ON VIOLENCE, STAFFING CHALLENGES AT BUDGET HEARING Legislators sharply questioned state corrections and law enforcement officials on Tuesday over rising prison violence, staffing shortages, and implementation of the HALT Act limiting solitary confinement, during a joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget for public protection. Acting DOCCS Commissioner Brian Annucci reported that assaults on staff increased 25 percent in 2022, with incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults up 34 percent. The current incarcerated population stands at just over 31,000, with an increase of about 700 from 2021 to 2022 as courts resume full operations. Sen. Jim Stec, whose district includes seven correctional facilities, raised pointed concerns about the HALT Act implementation, specifically questioning whether unlimited tablet and phone access in Residential Rehabilitation Units creates perverse incentives that undermine rehabilitation. "You're giving it away and you're not letting them earn it," Stec said, noting that incarcerated individuals prefer RRU conditions to the general population or Honor Block. Commissioner Annucci defended the tablet program, explaining it was introduced to mitigate isolation effects during the transition away from traditional solitary confinement. He noted that incarcerated individuals spent 54 million minutes on phone calls in 2022 (he initially misstated the figure as 254 million). The commissioner acknowledged that violence trends are continuing and said he has temporarily suspended certain HALT provisions requiring unrestrained movement between cells and programs due to safety concerns. 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. Assemblyman Giglio questioned whether the system has adequate capacity, asking about overtime policies for corrections officers. Executive Deputy Commissioner Vincent Martuscello reported that overtime is capped at 16 hours per day but there is no limit on consecutive days worked, and that 750 staff signed up for a new open enrollment recruitment system in January alone. On law enforcement, Acting State Police Superintendent Steven Nigrelli reported a 138 percent increase in illegal weapons seizures from August 2021 to December 2022. He also disclosed that oral fluid testing technology for detecting marijuana impairment remains under development and is not ready for field use—two years after the recreational marijuana law passed. Assemblyman Tannousis expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that the previous superintendent had assured legislators the testing mechanism would be ready. DCJS Commissioner Kristen Rosado reported that 4,000 Extreme Risk Protection Orders have been filed since the Buffalo shooting and that the Executive Budget doubles funding for alternatives to incarceration programs from $15.7 million to $31.4 million. She also clarified data on failure to appear rates, acknowledging that desk appearance tickets are not consistently counted across the state. Assemblywoman Assemblywoman Walker raised concerns that the Governor's proposed bail reform would eliminate the "least restrictive condition" standard and leave judges with unfettered discretion, potentially exacerbating racial disparities in bail decisions. The hearing revealed significant tensions between legislative oversight and agency implementation of recent criminal justice reforms, particularly around the HALT Act and bail reform. NEW YORK — State corrections officials faced sharp questioning from lawmakers on Tuesday over the implementation of the HALT Act and surging prison violence, as they defended their 2023-2024 budget proposal during a joint legislative hearing on public protection. Executive Deputy Commissioner Martuscello acknowledged that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has spent over $110 million in capital funding for HALT implementation, exceeding an initial $69 million allocation. However, he conceded that the agency has struggled to comply with the law's core requirement that incarcerated individuals spend no more than 15 consecutive days in solitary confinement. As of the hearing, 21 people remained beyond that threshold, down from over 200 earlier in the year. The compliance challenges stem from unprecedented violence in the system. Martuscello reported a 25 percent increase in assaults on staff and a 34 percent increase in incarcerated-on-incarcerated assaults since HALT's April 2022 implementation. Acting Commissioner Annucci attributed the violence partly to a small number of individuals challenging authority and noted that the agency is 2,900 corrections officer positions below its budgeted level. Chairwoman Liz Krueger pressed officials on whether the law gave them adequate tools, noting that Senator Julia Salazar—absent due to illness—had visited facilities and found no evidence of DOCCS' ability to comply. Krueger also raised concerns about the mental health population in prisons, noting that nearly 40 percent of the incarcerated population is on the Office of Mental Health caseload. A second major concern emerged around reentry: Krueger cited data showing that the percentage of formerly incarcerated individuals entering the NYC shelter system has jumped from 23 percent in 2014 to 50 percent in recent years. Annucci described the Edgecombe Transitional Housing program, which has capacity for 70 individuals and provides stipends of up to $100 per week for 12 weeks to help secure permanent housing. He also noted that the average parolee spends 37 days in the NYC shelter system. Annucci reported 113 deaths in DOCCS custody in 2022—55 from natural causes, 17 suicides, 2 homicides, 1 accidental, and 38 awaiting autopsy results—representing an 18 percent decrease from 2001. Assemblyman Palmesano, a vocal HALT critic, called the law "an absolute disaster" and suggested Governor Hochul declare a state of emergency to suspend it, similar to declarations for COVID and gun violence. He asked for data on assaults committed by individuals exempt from solitary confinement under HALT—those under 19 and over 55 years old. Annucci cited one case: a 54-year-old who committed a homicide just six months before reaching the age threshold that would have protected him from SHU placement. Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosado reported that the GIVE program, which funds violence prevention in police departments, supports 20 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 can expand the program to new jurisdictions. The hearing, held before the joint Senate-Assembly Finance Committee, underscored the tension between public safety concerns raised by corrections staff and lawmakers, and the constraints imposed by HALT, which was enacted to address what advocates called inhumane solitary confinement practices. NEW YORK — State corrections and criminal justice officials faced pointed questions Tuesday about data gaps and program effectiveness during a joint legislative budget hearing on public protection, as advocates pushed for criminal justice reforms including elder parole and record-sealing legislation. Acting Corrections Commissioner Daniel Annucci reported that 70-something percent or higher of incarcerated individuals need substance abuse treatment, while Executive Deputy Commissioner Thomas Martuscello detailed dramatic reductions in contraband following implementation of a new vendor package program. The program, which allows families to order from any vendor rather than mailing packages directly, reduced contraband instances from 710 in 2021 to just 30 since implementation, Martuscello testified. Narcan usage dropped 13 percent from 415 instances in 2021 to 360 in 2022, though the agency reported a 64 percent increase in visitor arrests. However, Assemblyman Angelo Tsakopoulos Brown pressed officials on missing data, asking whether the state tracks how many people are agreeing to involuntary substance abuse treatment as an alternative to incarceration post-bail reform. DCJS Commissioner Rosado acknowledged the agency does not currently track this metric. Brown also questioned whether the state is tracking accidents and fatalities caused by marijuana use, which Acting Superintendent Nigrelli confirmed the State Police does monitor. Advocates testified in support of several reform measures. Katie Schaffer of the Center for Community Alternatives opposed the Governor's proposal to eliminate bail reform's least restrictive standard, noting that 33 other states use such a standard and none have eliminated it entirely. She cited Michigan research showing that sealing criminal records increases employment by 11 percent and earnings by 25 percent, with potential economic benefits to New York of $7 billion. Jose Saldana of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign advocated for Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole legislation, arguing that releasing elder and infirm incarcerated people could save approximately $500 million annually while posing minimal public safety risk. Chaplain Dr. Victoria A. Phillips testified in support of the Treatment Not Jail Act, emphasizing that one out of four incarcerated individuals have been diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Ed Tase, president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, expressed support for the Governor's budget proposals on volunteer firefighter recruitment, noting that the state has lost 20,000 volunteer firefighters over 20 years and that volunteers provide 80 percent of fire protection services outside New York City. The hearing, held before the joint Finance Committee, featured testimony from multiple state agencies and advocacy organizations on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget's public protection provisions. NEW YORK — Law enforcement unions and prosecutors testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that New York's public safety agencies face a recruitment and retention crisis that threatens public safety across the state, citing staffing shortages, low morale, and inadequate compensation. The hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget's public protection provisions featured testimony from leaders representing thousands of state employees, all warning that current conditions are unsustainable. Frank McGarity, director of the New York State Park Police Sergeants Benevolent Association, told lawmakers that the Park Police has experienced a 40% reduction in officers during his 20-year tenure, leaving just 178 officers to protect 287 state parks and historic sites across the state. 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. "We are stretched to the breaking point both in terms of manpower and resources," McGarity said. The Legislature has passed the 20-year retirement bill with near-unanimous bipartisan support year after year, only to have it vetoed repeatedly, he noted. State Police investigators reported similar challenges. Tim Dymond, president of the New York State Police Investigators Association, said the Bureau of Criminal Investigation is down 100 investigators statewide and realistically needs 200 more to operate effectively. He cited a 470% increase in TERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order) cases from 2021 to 2022, each requiring roughly eight hours of preparation. Correctional officers painted the most dire picture. Michael Powers, president of NYSCOPBA representing over 30,000 active and retired members, testified that 2022 was the most violent year in correctional history, with single-year records set in both inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults. He attributed the violence spike to the HALT Act, which took effect April 1, 2021, and limits the ability to segregate dangerous inmates. "The morale of our members is the lowest I've seen, and I've got 33 years in this agency," Powers said. He called for a violence study and reforms to HALT, though he acknowledged repeal is unlikely. Volunteer firefighters also sought relief. President Tase of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York highlighted the $3.3 billion annual economic value of volunteer fire service and requested tangible incentives for younger volunteers, including increased state income tax credits (currently $200, unchanged for over 20 years) and gas cards. District Attorneys warned of a separate crisis. Mary Pat Donnelly, testifying on behalf of the District Attorneys Association, said discovery law reforms have created a funding emergency. Her own office, funded for 15 assistant district attorneys, currently has only 10 after losing five attorneys in 2022 to higher-paying jobs. She cited discovery pace as a reason for departures. "The only way to fully implement the reform without triaging crime is to increase funding to the DA's office," Donnelly said. Several senators signaled support for the testifiers' requests. Sen. Hinchey expressed strong backing for the Park Police 20-year retirement benefit and suggested creating a capital improvement fund for volunteer firehouses. Sen. Palumbo, a former prosecutor, engaged critically with Powers on the lack of discipline systems in correctional facilities, noting a 34% increase in inmate-on-inmate assaults. Sen. O'Mara questioned Powers extensively about inmate behavior changes since HALT implementation, signaling skepticism about current policies. The hearing underscored a broader challenge facing New York's public safety apparatus: recruitment and retention are failing across multiple agencies simultaneously, threatening the state's ability to maintain public safety. NEW YORK — Advocates, public defenders, and prosecutors clashed over criminal justice funding priorities at a full-day joint legislative hearing on the 2023-2024 Executive Budget's public protection provisions, with defenders demanding parity with prosecutors and immigration advocates urging $100 million for legal representation of immigrants facing deportation. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly, revealed stark funding disparities. Brooklyn Defender Services Executive Director Lisa Schreibersdorf pointed out that district attorneys received nearly $100 million in the budget while defenders received only $7.5 million, despite bearing equivalent discovery obligations under recent criminal justice reforms. "We are asking you to match the funding that the DAs got for discovery and other resources," Schreibersdorf said, noting that defenders must review every video and store massive amounts of digital evidence just as prosecutors do. Sen. Jamaal Bailey pressed District Attorney Donnelly on why some DAs hadn't applied for available discovery funds, learning that county governments had blocked applications in some cases. Bailey suggested direct state-to-DA funding could bypass these obstacles. "If the money is there, the county should not be able to hold up some of the progress that we've been able to make," he said. On immigration, Shayna Kessler of the Vera Institute of Justice and Kayla Kelechian of the New York Immigration Coalition urged passage of the Access to Representation Act and $100 million in funding for immigration legal services. Kelechian cited a case of a three-year-old Guatemalan child forced to defend herself alone in immigration court, and noted that a 2018 study showed having an attorney increased chances of winning asylum cases by 1,100 percent. The Governor's budget included only $43 million for immigration legal services. Opposition to bail reform was forceful. Yonah Zeitz of the Katal Center for Equity, Health and Justice testified that Governor Hochul's proposal to gut bail reform would disproportionately harm Black, brown, and low-income New Yorkers. He cited 19 deaths on Rikers Island in the past year—the most in a decade—and noted detention there costs more than $500,000 per person annually. Katherine Haas of the Legal Aid Society's Prisoners' Rights Project testified that the Department of Corrections has failed to implement the HALT Act (2021), which requires curtailing segregated confinement. She documented widespread violations including people held in solitary for weeks and months in filthy cells with insufficient food. Sen. Tom O'Mara, a former district attorney, expressed concern that discovery timelines were too aggressive and caused errors, asking about staggered discovery proposals that would prioritize imperative material first. The League of Women Voters requested $20 million for county boards of elections and full funding of $114.5 million for the Public Campaign Finance Board, warning against unfunded voting access mandates. 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 used by district attorneys as a major bottleneck, explaining that files cannot be directly transferred to police systems but must instead be downloaded and re-uploaded—a process consuming substantial time, energy, and storage capacity. She characterized OneDrive as "particularly bad" for sorting, finding, filing, and using documents, and noted that the platform does not allow online document editing. Schreibersdorf advocated for finding better technological solutions to streamline the information-sharing process between the two agencies. When pressed by Sen. Bailey on whether statutory changes to discovery law or bail reform were necessary to address the problems, Schreibersdorf stated that no such legislative changes are needed. The hearing, held Feb. 7, concluded at 7:38 p.m., with Chairwoman Krueger announcing that the committee would reconvene the following morning at 9:30 a.m. to examine the education budget.