While often categorized as a democracy, the United States is more accurately defined as a constitutional federal republic. What does this mean? “Constitutional” refers to the fact that government in the United States is based on a Constitution which is the supreme law of the United States. The Constitution not only provides the framework for how the federal and state governments are structured, but also places significant limits on their powers. “Federal” means that there is both a national government and governments of the 50 states. A “republic” is a form of government in which the people hold power, but elect representatives to exercise that power.
By definition, a republic is a representative form of government that is ruled according to a charter, or constitution, and a democracy is a government that is ruled according to the will of the majority. Although these forms of government are often confused, they are quite different. The main difference between a republic and a democracy is the charter or constitution that limits power in a republic, often to protect the individual’s rights against the desires of the majority.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said $187 million in law-enforcement and counterterrorism funding will be restored after President Trump reversed planned cuts. The governor said the move ensures the state has resources to support police, first responders and public-safety operations. “Because of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored,” she said, calling it a win for public safety and New Yorkers who rely on law enforcement to keep the state secure.
Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul
“From the moment these devastating cuts were announced, I made it clear that New York would not stand by while our law enforcement and counterterrorism operations were defunded. I’m glad President Trump heard our call and reversed course, ensuring our state has the resources necessary to support law enforcement and keep our families safe.
“Because of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored — a victory for public safety and for every New Yorker who depends on our brave law enforcement and first responders to keep our state secure.”
Democrats’ “free healthcare for illegal immigrants” demand has, according to critics, forced a government shutdown that’s rippling across the country: essential workers—from TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and military personnel to VA staff—are working without pay; families face threats to WIC and SNAP benefits; airports warn of longer lines and delays; and national parks, monuments, museums, and historic sites from Arizona to Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, and beyond are shuttered or scaling back services. Local economies are feeling the pinch as SBA loans stall, federal grants and inspections pause, and tourism-heavy regions lose access to parks and visitor centers. Veterans and low-income families are bracing for disruptions, nonprofits and food banks are preparing for increased demand, and analysts warn of broader economic losses each week the shutdown persists.
Democrat Shutdown Hurts Families, Veterans, Workers Across the Country
Democrats’ reckless push to hold the government hostage over free healthcare for illegal aliens has forced a crippling shutdown — making essential workers and servicemembers go unpaid, pushing vital programs like WIC to the brink, and leaving key services unfunded.
Across the country, the Radical Left’s political stunt is inflicting pain:
Arizona
KVOA-TV: “The VA will stop transition program assistance and career counseling, close GI Bill and National Cemetery hotlines and shut down benefits regional offices… Visitor services will be reduced, with park roads and trails generally remaining open but without regular maintenance. Special events requiring permits will be halted, and no new permits will be issued. Parks with insufficient funds will cease operations, suspending all non-essential activities.”
Axios Phoenix: “The effects of the shutdown could lead to backups at Phoenix Sky Harbor and will force the furlough of thousands of local federal employees… More than 34,000 federal employees were working in Arizona as of last year… Although airport employees, including security officers and air traffic controllers, will be forced to continue working throughout the shutdown, airport operations could be affected.”
KVOA-TV: Shutdown impacts Tucson: Saguaro Park East closed to cars
Arizona PBS: Montezuma Castle National Monument turns away tourists after government shutdown
KTAR Radio: National monument in Arizona turns away tourists after federal government shutdown
Georgia
WRDW-TV: “Thousands of federal workers in Georgia, including many airport employees, are already starting to feel the strain of the federal government shutdown. Essential federal employees like TSA agents or air traffic controllers still have to come to work — but right now, they aren’t being paid.”
WMAZ-TV: “The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins is closing due to the government shutdown. The Museum of Aviation is run by the Department of Defense, which has lost funding as Congress negotiates a budget deal. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Museum of Aviation says that the closure will last until further notice… The Ocmulgee Mounds in Macon is also closed during the tenure of the government shutdown.”
WXIA-TV: “For travelers, even though flights are still taking off, the U.S. Travel Association is warning them that longer lines, staffing issues, and delays could grow the longer the shutdown lasts. The shutdown is impacting more than 100,000 federal workers in Georgia, like TSA agents and air traffic controllers at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport.”
WXIA-TV: “More than 111,000 federal workers in Georgia are affected — including TSA agents, air traffic controllers, military members, correctional officers, and furloughed staff from agencies like the Department of Education, EPA, HHS, National Park Service, and IRS.”
WXIA-TV: Amid the government shutdown, visitors were turned away from the Martin Luther King historic site
WMAZ-TV: Central Georgia gears up as federal shutdown threatens Robins Air Force Base
WILX-TV: Federal shutdown leaves Michigan in limbo
Detroit Free Press: “Expect more and more services to be curtailed (or even stopped), more and more federal grants, payments and contracts to be delayed or cut, and federal workers showing up at their jobs without pay (including military families, law enforcement, border patrol and the like) to feel more and more strain.”
Detroit Free Press: “Hiring and training of new employees stops. Funding for SNAP and WIC programs stops. New Head Start grants will not be available. Many food, health and clean water inspections from the FDA, OSHA and the EPA would stop. The Small Business Administration stops reviewing or approving loans.”
Michigan Farm Bureau: “More than 42,000 USDA employees will also be furloughed (put on leave), per Reuters reporting, with significant disruptions expected for the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service.”
Minnesota
Minnesota Star Tribune: “Federal employees in Minnesota ‘will not only be without temporary income as a result of a shutdown, but it is threatened that they will be without their federal careers permanently.’”
Minnesota Star Tribune: “A sprawling mass of other federal functions ground to a halt…. The shutdown, the first in nearly seven years, furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers and disrupted services across the government, including federal court cases, assistance for veterans, grants for education, cleanup at Superfund sites and economic analysis for reports like the jobs data.”
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: “Minnesota is home to roughly 20,000 federal employees, or 35,000 if you include military personnel. Many of those will be expected to keep working during the federal government shutdown that began last night — but paychecks could be interrupted.”
KAAL-TV: “Minnesotans will feel it as there are roughly 20,000 federal workers in the state, and 35,000 if you count postal workers and the military. About a third of those workers are at VA hospitals like custodial and cafeteria workers, and then 13,000 Minnesota National Guard members also face furloughs, remaining on active duty without pay.”
KMSP-TV: “The lights are out at St. Paul’s Mississippi River Visitor Center as the National Park Service went dark during this government shutdown. Its employees are among about 750,000 furloughed across the country…”
KIMT-TV: “[A]s part of the shutdown union members in the TSA, federal prison security and Social Security are all currently working without pay, while members in the National Parks service are furloughed.”
WDIO-TV: “Due to the federal government shutdown, the Minnesota National Guard will be initiating the process of an orderly shutdown. Essential personnel and active-duty members will continue working, while full-time staff members are furloughed.”
MinnPost: Low-income Minnesotans likely to be the first to feel impact of government shutdown
KSTP-TV: Minnesota National Guard members not getting paid during government shutdown
Nevada
Reno Gazette: “Air travel continues during a shutdown… But workers don’t get paid during the shutdown, which can lead to delays when workers don’t show up for shifts.”
KVVU-TV: “The Small Business Administration says the shutdown is stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding. Officials say only programs deemed essential for protecting life and property will be operational. Programs that will close include loans and grant services. Those include federal loans to small businesses under the SBA.”
KRXI-TV: “Military personnel will continue their duties without pay until Congress passes a continuing resolution or appropriations are signed into law. Civilian personnel not involved in essential activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. The War Department has provided documents to assist its workforce during the government shutdown.”
The Nevada Independent: “Nevadans should brace for potential delays to air travel and reduced access to national parks.”
KSNV-TV: Las Vegas locals and tourists voice frustration over ongoing government shutdown
KSNV-TV: Nevada Conservation League warns shutdown could harm outdoor industry
KSNV-TV: Government shutdown puts Nevadans’ health, education, and recreation on hold
KRNV-TV: Government shutdown impacts 22,000 federal workers in Nevada
KOLO-TV: Nevadans express concerns amid Government shutdown
KOLO-TV: Government shutdown threatens food stamps, jobs, national security
New Hampshire
Portsmouth Herald: “During a government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers deemed nonessential are furloughed until funding is passed, meaning they won’t work and won’t be paid. In New Hampshire, there are 5,208 federal civilian employees.”
WMUR-TV: “New Hampshire officials said about 6,000 federal employees are working without pay… The 500 full-time military personnel, over 400 federal civilian employees – everyone came to work today and will work without pay.”
WMUR-TV: “Federal facilities like the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard are now in limbo, with essential workers forced to stay on the job without pay… Around 500 full-time soldiers and Airmen still need to report to work throughout the shutdown, but they will not be getting paid.”
New York has climbed to No. 1 in Mental Health America’s “State of Mental Health in America” report, which analyzed 17 measures using 2022–2023 data, the period when Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a $1 billion overhaul of the state’s behavioral-health system. The state advanced from No. 8 (2023) to No. 4 (2024) and now leads both overall and in adult rankings, driven by gains in reducing youth suicidal ideation, lowering major depressive episodes among youth, and shrinking the share of uninsured adults with mental illness. New York added 985 psychiatric beds, expanded state-operated capacity, funded 39 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that have served 77,000-plus people in 2025, scaled Critical Time Intervention and INSET teams, grew ACT and Youth ACT teams, and increased specialized housing and school-based clinics. Albany also advanced youth protections—with distraction-free K–12 classrooms, the Safe for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act—positioning the state as a national model for accessible, community-based mental-health care.
Governor Hochul Highlights State’s Ranking as National Leader in Mental Health
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has been recognized as a national leader in mental health based on a new report compiled with publicly available federal data. ‘The State of Mental Health in America’ ranked New York number one nationally when analyzing data from 17 common mental health measures using the data gathered in 2022 and 2023 – the year Governor Hochul launched her multi-billion-dollar investment to strengthen the state’s system of care.
“These findings demonstrate that we remain on the right track in our concerted efforts to address the mental health crisis among children and adults,” Governor Hochul said. “While our work is far from finished, New York has become a national model when it comes to providing a range of support, care and treatment that residents need. By strengthening our mental health care system, we are giving people and families renewed hope and helping them onto the path to recovery so they can live and thrive in their communities.”
New York’s combined scores in 17 categories ranked the state first nationally in the report, which is compiled annually by Mental Health America, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health. Previously, the state was ranked fourth in the nation in 2024 and eighth in 2023.
The measures that had the largest effect on New York’s overall ranking were the state’s percentage of youth with serious thoughts of suicide; youth with a major depressive episode in the past year; and uninsured adults living with mental illness. Aside from being ranked first overall, New York also topped all other states in the report’s adult rankings, which include eight measures gauging the prevalence of mental illness and access to care among individuals over the age of 18.
The data considered in the report coincide with the launch of Governor Hochul’s landmark initiative into strengthening New York State’s mental health care system. Her $1 billion plan in FY 2024 and investments made in subsequent budgets doubled down on improvements in suicide prevention, youth services, and other areas highlighted in the report.
From adding inpatient capacity to dramatically expanding outpatient programs to creating thousands of new units of specialized housing and more, the state has taken bold measures to ensure all New Yorkers have access to these critical services — especially those individuals and families from previously underserved populations. Governor Hochul has particularly committed to improving youth mental health, as evidenced by her legislative initiatives to address the harmful impacts of social media and to eliminate the use of smartphones by students in K-12 public schools.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “The Mental Health in America report reflects the bold commitment Governor Hochul has made into mental health and the fantastic work that our state and provider workforce have undertaken to dramatically expand access to high-quality care. We are proud partners together and look forward to continuing as both an innovator and a national leader in mental health care.”
Since Governor Hochul took office, New York State has added 985 psychiatric beds, including 610 beds that were brought back online at community-based hospitals. The Governor has also overseen the largest expansion of inpatient capacity at state-operated psychiatric centers, adding 375 new beds and 275 others in development.
New York State now funds 39 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which make it easier for New Yorkers to get into treatment and can help them avoid unnecessary hospital visits. These clinics provide mental health and substance use disorder services to anyone who walks in the door –regardless of whether they have insurance –and have served more than 77,000 recipients so far in 2025.
OMH is also establishing 50 Critical Time Intervention teams in all areas of the state to provide care management services and support to help individuals during transitions in care, such as leaving inpatient settings. With the first 36 now funded, these teams will have the capacity to serve 3,630 New Yorkers.
The state is also expanding Intensive and Sustained Engagement or ‘INSET’ teams, a voluntary, peer-led engagement approach to support individuals on their recovery journey at times and places that are convenient to them. OMH now funds five teams –including one focusing on the forensic population –operating in New York City, the Rochester area, Westchester, and on Long Island, with the capacity to collectively serve more than 300 individuals.
The state has also aggressively expanded the Safe Options Support program, which has now helped permanently house 1,407 individuals, including nearly 180 in OMH-licensed housing. With the first teams launched in Spring 2022, the SOS program now has 31 teams, including ones canvassing all five boroughs of New York City, both counties on Long Island, and 19 additional counties across the state.
New York State has also made regulatory changes to improve mental health, adopting new hospital admission and discharge regulations to provide a clear path toward ensuring the quality of care given to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and that thoughtful plans are crafted to connect those leaving emergency and inpatient care with community-based support. CTI teams are now in place to connect with individuals leaving inpatient care and ensure that their immediate needs are met and that they remain connected to community support.
The state also adopted new network adequacy regulations to ensure New Yorkers with qualifying health insurance plans are provided timely access to critical behavioral health care. These changes are providing important consumer protections, including a requirement that plans post up-to-date and accurate lists of in-network providers on their websites, which will help to eliminate inaccurate or misleading directories.
OMH has also aggressively expanded specialized housing, including 1,276 new units associated with Governor Hochul’s mental health initiative, with an additional 2,224 housing units that are under development. The units under development include community residence-single room occupancy units, supportive housing-single room occupancy units and short term transitional residential units –all designed to help New Yorkers living with mental illness to reside safely within their community.
OMH has also expanded its Assertive Community Treatment or ‘ACT’ program, which now operates 112 teams with 30 additional ones in development, and the capacity to provide services to 9,584 individuals living with mental illness. These teams provide coverage in all counties statewide, allowing these New Yorkers to receive treatment within their community rather than more restrictive hospital settings.
Governor Hochul also made a nation-leading commitment to protect youth mental health and promote student success in the digital age. As part of the FY 2026 State Budget, she secured a landmark agreement to create a statewide standard for distraction-free schools and eliminate smartphone use in all K-12 classrooms.
In addition, Governor Hochul signed into law the Safe for Kids Act last year, requiring social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18. She also signed the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibiting online sites and connected devices from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website.
Governor Hochul’s focus on youth mental health also led to the creation of 10 new Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams to support young people with serious emotional disturbances who are either at risk of entering, or are returning home from high intensity services, such as inpatient settings or residential services. Youth ACT teams now total 20 –with 19 in development –and will operate in 31 counties, providing youth and family therapy, medication management, family and peer support, and skill-building.
Governor Hochul also expanded school-based mental health clinics, which help students get a licensed mental health care provider in a familiar stigma-free setting on their school campus. Since funding this expansion last year, the state has added 255 new clinic satellites — including 84 in high-needs districts —to 1,265 that now exist statewide.
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Many individuals affected by mental health disorders are also impacted by co-occurring substance use disorders. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has made great strides in expanding services across the state for all aspects of behavioral health, helping thousands of New Yorkers access the help and support that they need. This report is great recognition of the strides we are making, and we look forward to collaborating with our partners on continued expansions to these services as we build a healthier New York State for all.”
State Senator Samra G. Brouk said, “As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I am proud to see that New York State has been ranked as a leader in the “State of Mental Health in America” report. This is further evidence that voluntary services, such as INSET teams, Critical Time Intervention teams; Safe Options Support programs, and other impactful programs have the power to help individuals with serious mental health needs. By continuing this momentum and investing in Daniel’s Law funding, we can reach more individuals experiencing mental health crises and keep our communities safe. I applaud Governor Hochul for investing in mental health initiatives in New York State to ensure that our residents receive the care they deserve.”
Assemblymember JoAnn Simon said, “It’s great to see New York recognized as a national leader in mental health, reflecting the progress we have made investing in our families and communities and expanding care. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to expand these investments and build on this momentum to ensure that every New Yorker can get the help they need, when they need it.”
Mental Health Association of New York Chief Executive Officer Glenn Liebman said, “Our national organization, Mental Health America, confirms what we already know –that New York State is a leader in mental health services and support. Under Governor Hochul and Commissioner Sullivan’s leadership, New York leads the way in school and teen mental health, prevention, crisis services, innovative programming, suicide prevention and mental health parity. While there is always more that needs to be done, we are very lucky in New York to have the commitment, leadership, and vision to make life better for those with mental health issues and their loved ones.”
The chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees sent letters Wednesday to two consulting firms — along with the College Board, Oracle and a company called Ellucian — seeking information about any tuition pricing algorithms they have built and the college applicants’ data that feeds them.
The consulting companies, with names like EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz, may be unfamiliar to college applicants and their families. But colleges know the consultants well, since most schools hire one of the two firms, or smaller consulting companies, to help them attract students and plot financial aid offers.
“Colleges that agree to use a common pricing formula or algorithm, or knowingly do so through a third-party company, are likely violating the antitrust laws,” said the letters, which were signed by Representatives Jim Jordan and Scott Fitzgerald and Senators Charles Grassley and Mike Lee, all Republicans. The demands cite reporting in The New York Times in May, which pointed to past comments by an EAB executive who had described its work as “a form of arbitrage” and added that its financial aid optimization strategies were “like working in the financial markets.”
EAB boasts of up to 200 variables that colleges and universities can use when setting an individual admitted student’s price, drawing from data on over 350 clients and 1.5 billion “student interactions.” Ruffalo Noel Levitz has over 1,900 clients feeding its software models for everything from financial aid to fund-raising.
Ruffalo Noel Levitz did not comment immediately upon receipt of the letter. An EAB spokeswoman said the company was still reviewing it.
In those letters, the lawmakers are seeking descriptions of all products and services and their capabilities; explanations of the purpose of any pricing and financial aid algorithms and the data that the algorithms train on; and the names of the higher education institutions that use each product or service.
Violations of antitrust law could occur, the letters said, even if competitors were not discussing pricing with one another if “they are delegating their decision making to a software or algorithm” that results in the exchange of confidential pricing information. Spokeswomen for both the College Board — which licenses a need-based aid calculation tool called the CSS Profile to colleges — and Ellucian said they were still reviewing the letters. Oracle, which has a higher education technology unit, declined to comment.
The peculiar college pricing system — in which the list price is often not the real price, and different administrators handle need-based aid and merit aid — has drawn much scrutiny from regulators and politicians in recent years.
Earlier this year, this same group of politicians asked for an enormous amount of information from Ivy League schools, citing “apparent collusion to raise tuition prices.” The breadth of the inquiry included communications among the schools and the Common App and U.S. News, which publishes school rankings, as well as information about early decision practices.
In 2019, the Department of Justice announced an antitrust settlement with the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Association rules had effectively prevented schools from poaching students after May 1. Those rules went away, and now schools like Syracuse make six-figure discount offers to teenagers who have already committed to other colleges.
And in 2013, the department investigated discussions between college presidents about whether there was anything school officials could do to stop giving so much merit aid to students who didn’t need it. Later that year, the government dropped the inquiry, but not before scaring many higher education leaders away from discussing the matter.
In the current investigation, lawyers who work on antitrust cases say that crucial questions about the “common pricing formulas” could include the following: If EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz have access to dozens of pieces of data from tens of thousands of applicants from several hundred schools (including who responded, how they responded, and to what sort of financial aid offers), how do the firms feed that into the algorithms that help client colleges set prices and discounts?
Another question, lawyers say: Do they do it in real time, on an ongoing basis, in the middle of application season?
And once the algorithms are trained, do clients that compete with one another ultimately end up drawing on collective data to set prices?
“It is about time that policymakers are scrutinizing the enrollment management industry,” said Stephen Burd, a senior writer and editor on education policy at the think tank New America and the editor of a book about enrollment management. “If policymakers have any hope of solving the problems of college access, affordability, equity and indebtedness, they are going to have to finally acknowledge the industry behind the curtain.”
Georgia Nugent, a former president of Kenyon College and Illinois Wesleyan University, was one of the higher education leaders questioned by the Justice Department in 2013. She said the language in Wednesday’s letters presumes that colleges accept advice unquestioningly.
“In my experience, we didn’t just blindly take what the algorithm said,” she said, adding that she had worked at institutions that were clients of both EAB and Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
“An algorithm might have suggested X, Y or Z, and that did not accord with our values and objectives,” said Ms. Nugent, who is now the president in residence at the American Academic Leadership Institute. “To assume that colleges are just automata and do what consultants tell us to do, at least in my experience, would not be true.”
During the weekend of October 3, OMNY will undergo a planned system upgrade that will improve performance and enhance the experience for all of our tap-and-ride customers using either bank cards or OMNY cards. The upgrade is being made in preparation for absorbing all remaining MetroCard users as they transition over to the tap-and-ride system and will prevent future trip and charge processing delays like those experienced over the summer.
How this impacts you
The upgrade is expected to take place between 10 p.m. on Friday, October 3 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 5. During this upgrade window, you can still tap at all OMNY readers on subways and buses to pay the fare.
However, during the upgrade window, certain features and services will not be available, so please be aware of the following:
For customers tapping with an OMNY card
You will not be able to buy or reload OMNY cards during the upgrade window. This means there will be no sales or value loads through OMNY vending machines, at retail locations, online at OMNY.info, over the phone or in-person at Customer Service Centers in stations. Please plan ahead by loading your OMNY card for the weekend before 7 p.m. on Friday.
While your taps will still be accepted during the upgrade window, the actual associated charges to your OMNY card will not be processed right away. Charges will be processed after the upgrade is completed. If you use up your stored value prior to completion of the upgrade, you will need to load more value after the upgrade is completed in order to continue traveling with your card. Please allow an additional day or two for the charges to your OMNY card to settle.
As an alternative, you can tap and ride with your bank card in your mobile wallet or a physical credit or debit card. Learn how here.
For customers tapping with a mobile wallet or physical credit/debit card
While your taps will still be accepted during the upgrade window, you will not see the actual associated charges for your fare right away, even if they appear in your mobile wallet app. Charges will be processed after the upgrade is completed. Please allow an additional day or two for the charges to your bank card to settle.
For all customers
Other services unavailable during the upgrade window include online trip and charge history information, access to your online OMNY account, and some in-person services for Reduced-Fare customers at MTA Customer Service Centers.
Please rest assured that you will not be overcharged while the system catches up after the upgrade is completed. Your free transfers will be free, along with any free rides earned during your 7-day fare cap period.
Please allow an additional day or two for all taps and fare payments from the upgrade window to be fully processed. If after the upgrade is completed you are unsure you’ve been charged correctly, or simply wish to review your taps, you can do so at omny.info/trip-history or by signing into your OMNY account.
If you still have concerns after checking your trip and charge history online, agents will be standing by at the OMNY Call Center at 877-789-6669.
Bilt, the housing and neighborhood commerce fintech, signed a 15-year lease for a 58,000-square-foot headquarters at 837 Washington Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, a move expected to create 625 high-paying jobs while retaining more than 200 staff. Backed by up to $6.25 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, the company plans more than $50 million in R&D to enhance payments, rewards, AI and security, with the renovated site slated to open in early 2026. Founded in 2019 and launched in 2021, Bilt reports over five million members, free rent-reporting to build credit, and plans to expand into mortgage-related rewards; the company has raised $850 million, is valued above $10.75 billion, and says it is on track to process more than $100 billion in housing-related spending annually while driving over $10 billion in purchases to a network of 40,000 merchants.
Governor Hochul Announces Fintech Leader Bilt to Expand With New Manhattan Headquarters, Creating Over 600 Jobs
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Bilt, a housing and neighborhood commerce platform, will establish its new headquarters at 837 Washington Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District under a 15-year lease. The 58,000-square-foot space will be fully renovated to accommodate the company’s growth, creating 625 new jobs while retaining more than 200 existing employees. Supported by up to $6.25 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development, the project includes more than $50 million in research and development investment to advance Bilt’s fintech products, payment systems and consumer engagement tools.
“New York is the nation’s undisputed leader in finance and technology, and Bilt’s decision to grow and develop here underscores the unmatched talent, energy and opportunity that only New York can offer,” Governor Hochul said. “Bilt’s expansion and long-term commitment reflect the kind of homegrown innovation we are proud to support. Their success story is a reminder that when companies invest in New York, they not only strengthen our communities but also help shape the future of technology and economic growth across the state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Bilt’s expansion represents the kind of forward-thinking investment that strengthens New York’s position as the global capital of fintech innovation. By choosing to grow in New York and create hundreds of high-paying jobs, Bilt is demonstrating confidence in our state’s unparalleled talent pool and business ecosystem. Empire State Development is committed to ensuring that companies like Bilt can continue to innovate, expand and generate lasting benefits for communities across the state.”
Bilt Founder and CEO Ankur Jain said, “New York City is where Bilt was born, and it’s where we’ll continue to grow. This 15-year commitment to the Meatpacking District represents our unwavering belief in New York as the epicenter of innovation and the perfect place to build an American-made platform that connects people to rewarding experiences in their homes and neighborhoods. There’s no better neighborhood than the Meatpacking District to showcase what happens when commerce, community and culture come together.”
Founded in 2019 and launched in 2021, Bilt has grown into the nation’s largest housing and neighborhood commerce platform, built and operated in New York City. The company serves more than five million members nationwide, and its platform — which includes a suite of tools for rent payments, dining, travel and neighborhood commerce — enables consumers to earn rewards on everyday housing and lifestyle expenses.
The company has raised over $850 million in venture capital, reached a valuation of over $10.75 billion, and is on track to process more than $100 billion annually in housing-related spending while driving over $10 billion annually in spending to a network of over 40,000 neighborhood merchants including fitness studios, restaurants and pharmacies.
Bilt offers free rent reporting capabilities that enable tenants to build their credit history simply by paying their rent on time, and with plans to soon expand into mortgage-related rewards and benefits, the company is creating a path for both renters and homeowners to strengthen their financial futures while engaging in Bilt’s broader rewards ecosystem.
Bilt, which currently operates from its Lower Manhattan office, will lease approximately 58,000 square feet at 837 Washington Street, transforming a vacant building into a state-of-the-art headquarters expected to open in early 2026 following extensive renovations. The new facility will support the company’s expanding operations in artificial intelligence, engineering, product development, data analytics and partnership integration, while anchoring more than $50 million in research and development investment in New York. These R&D efforts will drive advances in payment processing, rewards technology, platform scalability and secure, privacy-focused financial transactions.
Bilt’s decision to expand in Manhattan highlights the strength of New York City’s fintech sector and the broader innovation economy. With access to world-class talent, deep pools of capital, leading research institutions and an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit, New York offers the ideal environment for companies to scale and succeed. Expansions by high-growth firms like Figma, Rippling and Rokt, alongside new investments from global leaders across technology and finance, continue to reinforce this momentum. By choosing to grow here, Bilt is contributing to New York’s position as a premier destination for fintech innovation—where breakthrough companies build the technologies and platforms that are reshaping how consumers engage with financial services.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York’s fintech sector has experienced remarkable growth, cementing the state’s position as a national hub for innovation and financial technology. Since, 2021, fintech jobs in New York State have grown by 28 percent — a rate 14 times faster than the national average.
Meatpacking District Management Association Executive Director Jeffrey LeFrancois said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bilt to the Meatpacking District, a tremendous investment that underscores our neighborhood’s strength as a hub of innovation, tech, and commerce. This commitment will bring hundreds of high-quality jobs while breathing new life into an iconic neighborhood building. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for supporting this investment through the Excelsior Jobs Program, helping the Meatpacking District and New York continue to thrive.”
New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bilt’s new headquarters to the Meatpacking District. This investment not only brings hundreds of good jobs to our community, but also breathes new life into a historic building while strengthening New York City’s role as a global leader in fintech innovation.”
.—New York on Oct. 2 opened applications for the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the state’s Tuition Assistance Program and the NYS STEM Incentive Program, part of a push to expand college affordability with roughly $800 million in annual TAP awards and broadened eligibility that has already brought aid to nearly 38,000 newly eligible students. FAFSA remains the gateway to Pell Grants, Work-Study and state programs; a “Universal FAFSA” law has lifted completions about 12%, placing the state sixth nationally. The STEM scholarship covers SUNY/CUNY tuition for students graduating in the top 10% who commit to five years of STEM work in New York. Non-citizen students may qualify via the DREAM Act or an Alternate Eligibility Pathway. Deadlines: FAFSA/TAP for 2026–27 run through June 30, 2027; TAP for 2025–26 closes June 30, 2026; STEM applications are due Aug. 15, 2026.
Governor Hochul Announces the Opening of Key New York State College Aid Applications for the 2026-27 Academic Year
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and STEM Incentive Program Applications Now Being Accepted
“Programs like TAP and the STEM Incentive Program are vital in providing New York students with the financial support and opportunities they need to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams,” Governor Hochul said. “Equally important is completing the FAFSA, which opens the door to essential federal financial aid. These programs help students to overcome financial barriers, access quality education, and create a stronger future for themselves and their communities.”
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) With approximately $800 million awarded each year, TAP is one of the most robust need-based financial aid programs in the nation. Governor Hochul’s recent historic expansions have made more students eligible to receive TAP, and New York is already seeing the results. Nearly 38,000 students who have become newly eligible are now receiving awards, contributing to more than $71 million in aid to students and their families. Together with the increased income thresholds and expanded access for part-time and non-degree students, New York is opening doors of opportunity to help ensure more residents can pursue higher education with the financial support they need to succeed.
NYS STEM Incentive Program The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides scholarships that cover the cost of tuition to eligible students who are in the top 10 percent of high school graduates who pursue STEM degrees at SUNY or CUNY colleges. Recipients must commit to working in a STEM field in New York State for five years after graduation, helping to strengthen New York in critical industries. Learn more or apply for STEM here.
Students who do not meet citizenship and residency requirements may still qualify for New York State financial aid through alternate pathways, such as the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act or the Alternate Eligibility Pathway. Learn more about the available options by visiting the Applying for Aid webpage.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps for students planning to attend college. The application determines eligibility for federal aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and low-interest federal student loans, and is also used to help determine eligibility for state programs such as TAP, Excelsior, and STEM.
To ensure New York students aren’t missing out on hundreds of millions in federal financial aid, Governor Hochul introduced the Universal FAFSA Completion legislation, which requires graduating high school seniors to complete the application. This landmark initiative is helping students access the financial aid they qualify for, making higher education more affordable and accessible for students and their families. Since enacting, completions have increased by nearly 12% throughout the state, making New York State sixth in the nation for FAFSA completions.
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “HESC’s mission is to ensure that higher education remains within reach for every student in New York. With TAP, the STEM Incentive Program, and the FAFSA now open, students have more opportunities to secure the financial support they need. By completing these applications, families can reduce the burden of college costs and help students pursue their dreams.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “TAP and STEM programs help students go to college who otherwise couldn’t afford it. With FAFSA completions up and more middle-class families eligible for TAP, New York is proving that higher education can be both excellent and affordable. These are families that would have likely sent their kids to school out of state. The improvements to TAP and STEM are continuing to help students in all sectors of higher education across the state.”
Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, “Expanding access to higher education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our young people and in the future of New York. Thanks to the NYS Assembly for the expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program, more families—including nearly 38,000 newly eligible students—are receiving the support they need to pursue a college degree. With applications now open for TAP, the STEM Incentive Program, and FAFSA, students in Queens and across the state have greater access to vital financial aid. I am proud to support initiatives that reduce financial barriers and ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and by completing FAFSA, TAP, and other financial aid applications, prospective students can take an essential step in making an affordable and excellent higher education a reality. Thanks to the SUNY FAFSA Completion Corps, online and in-person FAFSA completion events, and other efforts to support Governor Hochul’s Universal FAFSA law, more New York students are able to take advantage of this empowering opportunity. SUNY is proud to join Governor Hochul in taking action to ensure students and their families are informed about all of their financial aid options.”
City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “CUNY students qualify for many state financial aid programs but often fail to apply, depriving themselves of much-needed resources to complete their degree. With the opening of the application period for the 2026-27 school year, we urge all New Yorkers to apply for aid to realize their college dreams and graduate debt-free. At CUNY, we have dedicated resources available to help guide them through the process.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “It’s never too early for students, parents, and families to financially plan for the future, especially when it comes to education. For New York State students considering attending college next fall, now is the time to explore the resources available to help manage the cost of higher education. By completing the FAFSA and applying for state aid—such as TAP and the STEM Incentive Program—students can unlock new opportunities and build a strong foundation for academic success.”
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. With the opening of applications for TAP, STEM scholarships, and the FAFSA, families across the state gain access to critical support that makes higher education more affordable and attainable. The Commission applauds Governor Hochul’s leadership in expanding opportunity and reducing barriers for New York students.”
New York’s Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, “From advocating for all students to have access to TAP to promoting important resources that will help break down barriers and open doors, APC remains committed to working with our partners to ensure higher education is more affordable and accessible for students and their families. All New Yorkers should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and we encourage prospective students to explore the state and federal support available to help get them on the right path.”
Students applying for the 2026–27 academic year are encouraged to submit their financial aid applications as soon as possible. The 2026–27 FAFSA and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) applications are open until June 30, 2027. Those seeking TAP assistance for the current 2025–26 academic year must submit their applications by June 30, 2026.
Students interested in the NYS STEM Incentive Program for the 2026–27 academic year must apply by August 15, 2026.
For detailed information regarding eligibility, application guidelines, and additional resources, students and families are encouraged to visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website at hesc.ny.gov.
A federal grand jury in Denver returned an indictment on August 21, 2025, charging two Denver-area companies and the companies’ top executives for defrauding the federal government on sales of forklifts and conspiring to avoid paying proper tariffs on forklifts imported into the United States.
According to court documents, Endless Sales Inc. (Endless), Octane Forklifts, Inc. (Octane), current executives Brian Firkins and Jeffrey Blasdel, and former executive J.R. Antczak allegedly conspired to import forklifts from China, disguise the Chinese origin of the forklifts, and then sell the forklifts to federal government agencies by fraudulently representing the forklifts as being manufactured in the United States. The indictment also alleges that Endless, Octane, Firkins, Blasdel, and Antczak conspired with an unnamed Chinese national and a Chinese manufacturer to create fake commercial invoices that fraudulently undervalued the cost of forklifts that Endless and Octane imported into the United States, thereby defrauding the government of over $1 million in applicable tariffs, duties, and fees. Firkins, Blasdel, and Antczak are each additionally charged with separate wire fraud charges, and Blasdel is also charged with making false statements to the government.
“Defrauding the United States to profit from goods made in adversarial nations like China undermines our economic and national security,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting American taxpayer dollars, defending our national security against those who would undermine it, and holding accountable anyone who pursues illegal profits over our country.”
“Defendants fraudulently hid the origins of the products they sold the government and conspired to avoid paying tariffs,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force and its law enforcement partners will continue to prosecute and hold accountable those who seek to fraudulently obtain taxpayer funds.”
“Today’s indictments are the result of the collaboration among the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who seek to violate America’s trade laws to enrich themselves,” said Acting Inspector General Steve Stebbins of the Department of Defense. “DCIS remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the DoD contracting process.”
“Federal contractors are expected to be honest in their dealings with the government,” said Deputy Inspector General Robert Erickson of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General. “These indictments demonstrate our special agents’ commitment to pursue allegations of procurement fraud and protect the government’s supply chain.”
“My office is committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and the integrity of federal procurement,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D of DHS OIG. “Octane Forklifts, Endless Sales, and their executives allegedly engaged in a brazen scheme to sell rebranded Chinese made forklifts to FEMA and the Department of Defense , all while falsely certifying their compliance with the Buy America Act. It is especially reprehensible that this alleged fraud involved a FEMA contract using disaster funds. I commend our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, and DOJ’s Antitrust Division for their steadfast commitment to holding these individuals accountable.”
“This indictment reflects the commitment of the Air Force to uphold the integrity in public contracting and protect taxpayer dollars,” said Director Jason T. Hein, Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations, Office of Special Investigations, USAF. “Procurement fraud undermines trust in government and diverts resources from maintaining our national security and missions they’re meant to serve. We will continue to pursue accountability wherever public funds are at risk.”
“Intentionally violating the Buy America Act to defraud the US Government, isn’t just a legal issue, it is a demonstration of complete disregard for US law and the safety and security of our US military.” said Special Agent in Charge Derek Tilton of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. “The US Army will not tolerate contract fraud and will vigorously pursue all available legal recourse.”
“This indictment demonstrates the VA OIG’s commitment to protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring companies who do business with the government are held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Heddell with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Field Office. “The VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of VA’s programs and services.”
Firkins, Blasdel, Antczak, Endless, and Octane are charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Firkins, Blasdel, and Antczak are similarly charged with individual counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. For the individuals, each count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. For the corporations, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000. Firkins, Blasdel, Antczak, Endless and Octane are also charged with conspiring to enter goods into the United States by means of false or fraudulent statements. For the individuals, a count of conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. For the corporations, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000, or twice the gain derived from the offense, or twice the loss caused by the offense. Finally, Blasdel is charged with making false statements to the government, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated with the assistance of the United States Army Criminal Investigative Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigation, U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Defense Contract Audit Agency. The Westminster, Colorado, Police Department provided valuable assistance.
In November 2019, the Justice Department created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force. Anyone with information in connection with this investigation can contact the PCSF at the link listed above.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed conservation leader Kathy Moser to serve as Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks), pending State Senate confirmation next year. Moser—formerly Chief Conservation & Policy Officer at the Open Space Institute and a past Deputy Commissioner at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation—will oversee more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, and boat launches that drew a record 88 million visits in 2024. Aligned with Hochul’s focus on mental health, outdoor access, and environmental stewardship, Moser pledged to promote and protect New York’s parks system, a major statewide tourism and economic driver. A Duke University–trained botanist and forest productivity expert, Peace Corps alum, and fluent Spanish speaker, Moser brings decades of leadership at OSI, DEC, World Wildlife Fund, and The Nature Conservancy to guide NYS Parks into the future.
Governor Hochul Appoints Kathy Moser to Serve As Acting Commissioner of the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced her appointment of Kathy Moser to serve as Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Moser will lead the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in an acting role as she awaits confirmation by the New York State Senate next year.
“Kathy Moser has the needed background, experience and commitment to public lands to lead New York’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation,” Governor Hochul said. “I want New Yorkers to get offline and get outside because we know nature has the ability to improve one’s mental health and overall wellbeing. I know Kathy understands this critical intersection of my policies to improve New Yorkers’ quality of life and environmental stewardship. This makes her the ideal person to lead this critical agency into the future.”
With a mission to provide safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to serve as responsible stewards of the state’s natural, historic and cultural resources, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation sites drew a record 88 million visits in 2024.
Acting Commissioner of the Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Kathy Moser said, “I appreciate the trust Governor Hochul is showing in me to lead this vital agency. I look forward to working with our dedicated team in promoting and protecting our beautiful state parks, campsites, and historic landmarks. Our vast system not only provides affordable relief for New Yorkers looking to take advantage of the outdoors or explore our historic treasures but is an economic driver by attracting tourists from across the country and world.”
Acting Commissioner Moser most recently has been Chief Conservation and Policy Officer at the Open Space Institute (OSI), an East Coast land trust based in New York. Acting Commissioner Moser directed OSI’s Parks, Stewardship and Government Relations programs. Before taking on the role in June 2020, she served as OSI’s Senior Vice President of Parks and Policy.
Prior to OSI, she was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in December 2011. She directed DEC’s portfolio in Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and Marine Resources.
Acting Commissioner Moser has also worked as Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives at World Wildlife Fund and held various senior positions at The Nature Conservancy in New York State (Acting State Director) and in their International Program (Regional Director for Central America) from 1992 to 2009.
She has also been a board member for the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and New York League of Conservation Voters (Capital District).
Acting Commissioner Moser has her undergraduate degree in botany and master’s degree in forest productivity, both from Duke University. She served in the Peace Corps in Honduras and is fluent in Spanish.
Acting Commissioner Moser is married with three daughters, lives in Albany, and can be found early in the morning rowing and bird watching on the Hudson River.
