Latest news with #Hochul
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Adults 25-55 Now Eligible for free industry-specific degrees, at JCC via SUNY program
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Adults ages 25 through 55 are now eligible for no-cost, industry-specific degrees at Jefferson Community College via the SUNY Reconnect Program. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the 'New York State Opportunity Promise' initiative recognizes that higher education is a pathway to economic opportunity and upward mobility. The state launched SUNY Reconnect, a program designed to remove barriers for adult learners ages 25–55. JCC offers free tuition to boost education in key fields Via the program, eligible state residents who have not yet earned a college degree can, after filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive extra funding to cover any additional costs for tuition, fees and books. Students will not have to take out loans. Jefferson Community College is proud to support Governor Hochul's bold vision to expand access to higher education for adult learners through the SUNY Reconnect initiative. We remain committed to providing the guidance, flexibility, and academic excellence necessary to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Jefferson Community College President Dr. Daniel Dupee Dedicated advising will be available for those entering the SUNY Reconnect program to help guide students through the course selection and scheduling process, to help alleviate the stress of trying to fit college into a busy lifestyle, for those who work full or part time and have family commitments outside the classroom. As part of the SUNY Reconnect initiative, here are the following JCC programs are eligible: Childhood Education, A.A. Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2, A.A. Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 6, A.A. Nursing, A.A.S. Computer Information Technology, A.A.S. Computer Information Systems, A.S. Computer Science, A.S. Engineering Science, A.S. To learn more about SUNY Reconnect and eligible programs at JCC, contact enrollment services at (315) 786-2437. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
New York's Inflation Refund Checks: Everything You Need To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. New Yorkers could be getting a refund worth hundreds of dollars from the state later this year. Why It Matters Governor Kathy Hochul first proposed paying New Yorkers back on excess sales tax revenue in late 2024. Now, the idea has come to fruition as part of her 2026 State Budget, with the governor confirming the plans for Inflation Refund Checks on May 14. It means checks of up to $400 will be on the way for some 8.6 million people later this year. What To Know You are eligible for an inflation refund check for tax year 2023 if you filed Form IT-201 (the New York State Resident Income Tax Return), reported income within the qualifying thresholds, and were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return. Stock image/file photo: Four $100 bills. Stock image/file photo: Four $100 bills. GETTY How much you get can get depends on how much your income is. Joint filers with income up to $150,000 will receive the most available - a $400 check. Those with income over $150,000 but no greater than $300,000 will receive a $300 check. Single filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check, while those with income over $75,000 but no greater than $150,000 will receive a $150 check. There are no age restrictions, and eligible filers do not need to take any action to get their money. If you filed a return, meet the income requirements, and were not claimed as a dependent, you will automatically receive a refund check. According to the governor's official website, some 8.6 million New York State residents could benefit from the refund. In New York City, there are an estimated 3.65 million people who are eligible, 1.3 million in Long Island, and 900,000 in the Hudson Valley. What People Are Saying Hochul said in May: "Starting in October, over 8 million New Yorkers will get an inflation refund because it's simple — this is your money and we're putting it back in your pockets. I'll never stop fighting to help your family address the rising cost of living — and that's why I also delivered on my promise to cut taxes for the middle class, expand the child tax credit and ensure free school meals for every student." Charles Lindsey, associate professor in the School of Management at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, told Newsweek: "Hopefully, consumers will either use it to buy necessary, essential, non-discretionary items and/or to pay down their credit card debt, loans, and other bills or financial obligations. If this is the case, then it can be a win-win such that it can alleviate some financial pressure for consumers while at the same time not putting much additional inflationary pressure on the economy in the form of upward pressure on prices." What Happens Next Checks will be sent in mid-October 2025, with the New York State Department of Tax and Finance saying they will be mailed "over a multiple week period" due to the large volume of refunds, meaning some will arrive in November.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Much Money New York's Congestion Pricing Toll Brought In
Earlier this year, New York City launched its congestion pricing program. It's been a controversial subject since it went into effect on Jan. 5. Passenger vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street must pay a $9 toll during peak hours. Small trucks and charter buses, meanwhile, are charged $14.40 just to enter Manhattan. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul believes this program will reduce congestion in the city streets while also increasing revenue for its subway system. "State law requires that congestion pricing simultaneously raise money for the MTA and drive down traffic congestion," Hochul said in November 2024. "These are important priorities. I am proud to announce we have found a path to fund the MTA, reduce congestion and keep millions of dollars in the pockets of our commuters." So far, Hochul's plan has raised an awful lot of money for the MTA. According to Bloomberg, the congestion pricing toll in New York City has raised $215.7 million in four months. Although this program has proven to be profitable for New York's subway system, the Trump administration has been trying to put an end to it for the past few months. Earlier this week, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that'll prevent the Trump administration from withholding "federal funds, approvals, or authorizations from New York State or local agencies to enforce compliance." Hochul applauded Judge Lewis Liman's decision, calling it a "massive victory" for New York. "New Yorkers deserve to control our own traffic patterns, keep gridlock off our streets and protect our clean air. We need to make the massive investments necessary to support our transit system and prevent it from falling into disarray and disrepair. Congestion pricing is the right solution to get us there," Hochul said Tuesday. As of now, New York City's congestion pricing is expected to bring in $500 million this year. That's if it remains intact. Here's How Much Money New York's Congestion Pricing Toll Brought In first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New York State summer job program to aid youth from low-income homes
NEW YORK STATE (WETM) — All regions in New York State, including the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes, are set to receive money for a special summer employment program through the state, created to assist members of the younger population from low-income households, Governor Kathy Hochul's Office stated on Tuesday. On Tuesday, May 27, Hochul said 56.5 million dollars will be distributed amongst the state's regions through 'New York State's Summer Youth Employment Program.' This initiative is aimed at aiding around 21,000 people between 14 and 20 years old get into the working world to pick up real-world skills and training for a career, Hochul explained. Listed below are the funds set for the counties in both the Southern Tier & Finger Lakes Region: Allegany County $221,757 Broome County $650,283 Chemung County $259,293 Schuyler County $57,613 Steuben County $309,545 Tioga County $140,953 Cayuga County $230,591 Seneca County $119,365 Tompkins County $435,842 Yates County $87,499 Millport to receive state aid to strengthen water infrastructure The funding comes from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance as part of New York's budget for the year 2026. People who can apply for this program have to be between the ages of 14 and 20 and come from a home whose income is 200% below the federal poverty level, the release explained, which varies depending on the size of the home. The release further stated that this will open up doors to jobs for kids first starting in the workforce, including places like summer camps, parks, child care centers, cultural organizations, educational places, and more organizations based in the community. 'Investing in our young people's future and providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed is a top priority of my administration,' Hochul exclaimed. 'The Summer Youth Employment Program helps young New Yorkers across the state find good summer jobs that provide valuable experiences and skills that will help them pursue their educational and career goals and prepare them for success in the workforce as adults,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal judge blocks Trump administration efforts to stop congestion pricing
A Manhattan federal judge has blocked the federal government from ending congestion pricing before the end of an ongoing lawsuit — issuing a preliminary injunction against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday. The order, issued by Judge Lewis Liman, comes one day after he issued a temporary restraining order in the case, blocking any such action for two weeks. The injunction indefinitely prevents Duffy or his agency from acting on their claims that they can unilaterally revoke authorization toll — and blocks any of the so-called 'compliance actions' Duffy has threatened — until Liman rules on the legality of USDOT's efforts to end the congestion pricing program. 'For the avoidance of doubt, [Duffy and the USDOT] are enjoined from taking any of the 'compliance measures' … including withholding federal funds, approvals, or authorizations from New York state or local agencies to enforce compliance with or implement … [their] purported termination of the Tolling Program,' the 109-page order concludes. Speaking to reporters shortly after the order was filed Paige Graves, MTA's general counsel, said she hadn't yet read the injunction in full. 'I have not looked at the details of his decision, but it's positive news,' Graves said. The congestion toll first began in January — a requirement of New York State's 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, meant to both reduce congestion and back $15 billion in bonds toward specific MTA projects. Duffy first claimed the authority to unilaterally end the toll weeks later, in February. When the MTA sued, Duffy gave Gov. Hochul a March 21 deadline to end the toll. Duffy then extended the deadline to April 20, then to May 21. As the toll remained in place on May 21, Duffy — in a letter to Hochul — threatened to withhold federal funds for any highway project in Manhattan, refuse to approve Manhattan projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, and refuse to greenlight any funding amendments from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council — unless Hochul ended the toll. In issuing Tuesday's restraining order, Liman said New York stood to suffer irreparable harms from the feds' demands, including the 'delay of numerous public works projects,' 'harm to the bond market' and the 'undermining [of] the authority of a sovereign state' that had democratically passed the law requiring the toll.
