President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address February24, 2026 at 9 p.m.
Comer Statement on Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued the following statement ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address:
“Our State of the Union is stronger than ever, thanks to President Trump’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling his promises to the American people. In just over one year, this administration has taken decisive action to reverse dangerous Biden-era open border policies, strengthen public safety by removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, restore American energy dominance by ending the radical Green New Deal agenda, and bring common sense back to Washington by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government. America’s future is bright under President Trump’s leadership, and our work is far from done. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will continue to deliver on its mission by working with President Trump and his administration to ensure the federal government operates effectively, efficiently, and transparently for all Americans.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are urging families with kids turning 3 or 4 this year to apply for free 3-K or Pre-K by Friday, February 27, 2026, highlighting that applications are open to eligible families regardless of language or immigration status and are not first-come, first-served—anyone who applies by the deadline will receive an offer. Families can apply at myschools.nyc or call 718-935-2009, and the city says help is available by phone or at Family Welcome Centers, with interpretation in 200+ languages and online applications offered in 13 languages including Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Uzbek.
Mayor Mamdani, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Urge New Yorkers to Apply for 3-K & Pre-K
— TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez encouraged families with children turning three or four this year to sign up for 3-K or Pre-K by Feb. 27, 2026, in a jointly released video in Spanish. Applications are open to all eligible families, regardless of the language they speak or immigration status. Programs are free.
“Child care remains one of the largest financial burdens facing New York families. Programs like 3-K and Pre-K are free, open to any child turning three or four this year and can put an average $26,000 back in the pockets of working people,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. No matter the language you speak, your immigration status or zip code, there is a seat waiting for your child.”
Families can apply at myschools.nyc or call 718-935-2009. Applications are not first-come, first-served. Any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer.
Application support is available by phone or at one of the City’s 10 Family Welcome Centers across the five boroughs. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages. Online applications are available in 13 languages:
English
Albanian
Arabic
Bengali/Bangla
Chinese
Haitian Creole
French
Korean
Russian
Spanish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
As part of the City’s whole-of-government effort to boost enrollment, the administration has:
Launched LinkNYC kiosk and NYC Ferry advertisements in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian, including targeted outreach in ZIP codes with large populations of non-English speakers.
Partnered with 19 trusted community organizations to host application workshops and conduct direct outreach, particularly to families hesitant to engage with government.
Worked with faith leaders, elected officials and community-based organizations to reach families in School Districts 4, 9, 14 and 17.
Hosted a multi-lingual and community media roundtable on Pre-K and 3-K.
Conducted outbound calls and texts to eligible families who have not started an application, focusing on districts with lower engagement rates than last year.
Coordinated with shelter-based staff to conduct on-the-ground outreach, including door-knocking and application events for families in shelters.
Announced the opening of a new Pre-K and 3-K center opening this fall on the Upper East Side as part of the administration’s effort to fix the broken 3-K system.
Highlighted the role of home-based providers in delivering universal 3-K through a mayoral visit.
As applications are reviewed, the city will activate additional resources to ensure every child receives a placement and every family is able to accept that placement.
This work aligns with the City’s bold commitment to fix the 3-K system and deliver universal access across all five boroughs, supported by funding from Governor Kathy Hochul.
This fall, the City will also take its first steps toward 2-K, launching 2,000 free child care seats as part of its commitment to universal 2-K by the end of 2029.
A large snowball fight in Washington Square Park (Manhattan) after the winter storm escalated into a police incident after snowballs were thrown at NYPD officers. According to police accounts reported by local outlets, officers arrived around 4 p.m. responding to a call about people on a roof inside the park. Soon after, multiple officers were struck by snowballs and suffered facial lacerations, with several taken to the hospital for treatment.
Later that night, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch publicly condemned what was shown in circulating videos, calling the behavior “disgraceful” and “criminal,” and confirming that detectives opened an investigation to identify those involved. Police unions also pushed for arrests and charges, arguing it was not “harmless fun” once officers were targeted.
The White House says President Trump hosted “Angel Families” in an East Room ceremony to honor Americans killed by people described as criminal illegal immigrants, marking the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder and signing a proclamation naming February 22 as National Angel Family Day. Family members shared stories of their loved ones and praised Trump for focusing on border enforcement, while one officer said he had previously arrested the suspect later accused of killing Riley and argued the system failed because there was no detainer, accountability, or deportation. The statement frames the event as both a memorial and a policy message: the administration claims the border is now highly secure and vows to keep removing dangerous offenders so other families don’t face the same loss.
President Trump Honors Angel Families, Remembers American Lives Lost to Illegal Immigration
Today, President Donald J. Trump welcomed Angel Families to the White House for an emotional ceremony honoring American lives tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens who never should have been in our country. Paying solemn tribute to the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, President Trump signed a Proclamation designating February 22 as National Angel Family Day — a day of remembrance for victims and their grieving loved ones devastated by the consequences of open border policies.
With America’s border now the most secure in history, the Trump Administration remains unwavering in its commitment to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities, ensure accountability, and make sure not one more American family has to endure this pain.
Allyson Phillips, whose 22-year-old daughter, Laken Riley, was killed by an illegal alien while out for a run in Georgia: “If you’ve lived that nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he is doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families — because this could be any family.” (Watch)
Steve Ronnebeck, whose 21-year-old son, Grant, was shot and killed by an illegal alien while working at an Arizona convenience store: “President Trump talked about Grant even before he was elected in 2016 — and finally, we had hope… Now, today, we are finally going to see that somebody’s going to remember all of our loved ones.” (Watch)
Laura Wilkerson, whose son, Joshua, was tortured and killed by his illegal alien classmate: “I met a man about 11 years ago who was running for office and he sat with us a couple days, and he watched as the tears rolled down my face as I told him the story of how our youngest son, Joshua, was brutally beaten, tortured, strangled to death, and his body set on fire. The man next to me was President Trump. He never, ever, looked away from my pain. He looked me straight in the eye and he said, ‘I will never forget the story of your sweet son, and I will never give up fighting for the American family.’ … He has never missed a day of fighting for the American family.” (Watch)
Marie Vega, whose son, former U.S. Marine and Border Patrol Agent Javier ‘Harvey’ Vega, Jr., was ambushed by two illegal aliens during a family fishing trip: “Thank God we have you in office. Without you, America, and the world, would not know the consequences of open borders. Thank you for restoring law and order. Thank you for acknowledging us — the Angel Families.” (Watch)
Jody Jones, whose brother, Rocky, was shot and killed by an illegal alien: “I’m sick and tired of hearing these Democrat politicians stand up on these podiums and say how sorry they are for seeing these criminal illegal aliens being ‘ripped apart’ from their families. What about us? What about the American family? What about us? We mean something, too, and this man right here understands it.” (Watch)
Officer Ethan Curreri, who arrested the illegal alien that would go on to murder Laken Riley months later: “I personally arrested José Ibarra for endangering the welfare of a child. A few months later, I saw his face again in the news after he viciously murdered Laken Riley. I did my job. I put him in custody. The system failed; no detainer, no accountability, no deportation, and an innocent American life was taken. If you enter our country illegally, there will be consequences under this Administration.”
During the press conference, Mayor Mamdani addressed several key issues concerning NYC residents.
The following questions were asked to Mayor Mamdani, and he provided these answers:
Application Deadline for Child Care Center
Question: A reporter noted that applications for the new child care center were only open until February 27th, asking if the deadline would be extended to give people more time. (9:16 – 9:29)
Answer: The Mayor stated that the deadline would remain February 27th to ensure the city can process requests. He clarified that families who have already applied can edit their applications to include this center in their preferences. After the 27th, families can add their names to waitlists, and the application process is not “first come, first served,” meaning all applications submitted by the deadline are treated equally. (9:30 – 10:12)
Preliminary Budget Proposal – Agency Cuts
Question: The Mayor was asked why his preliminary budget proposed 1.5% to 2.5% agency cuts, rather than a higher percentage like the 5% seen in previous administrations (e.g., Bloomberg’s), for better savings. (10:15 – 10:37)
Answer: The Mayor explained that setting an expense goal of 3-5% in prior administrations led to a reduction in city services, such as decreased garbage collection and cut library hours. He stated that his administration does not want to compromise service provision but aims to eliminate inefficiencies and waste to bring the city back to firm financial footing. (10:38 – 11:21)
Application Allocations and Outreach Efforts
Question: Following up on the budget, a reporter asked about the number of application allocations received by the city for child care and if that number had grown, especially compared to previous years, given criticisms of past outreach efforts. (11:24 – 11:47)
Answer: The Mayor stated that the city is currently in line with prior years’ application numbers and anticipates more families will apply closer to the deadline. He detailed various outreach tools being used, including LinkNYC kiosks, taxi cab ads, and robocalls, to ensure every New Yorker knows how to enroll their child in 3-K and pre-K, regardless of language spoken. He also mentioned the availability of over 10 welcome centers where navigators assist with enrollment. (11:47 – 12:40)
Support for Congressional Candidates
Question: In light of an upcoming meeting with the congressional delegation, the Mayor was asked if he would be supporting certain congressional candidates mentioned by the reporter. (12:43 – 12:55)
Answer: The Mayor stated that his public endorsements are the only ones he is speaking about at this time. He looked forward to the meeting to discuss the city’s needs and how they can work together for their constituents. (12:55 – 13:15)
Outreach to Immigrant and Ethnic Communities / Feedback on Preliminary Budget
Question: A reporter asked what outreach is being done for immigrant and ethnic communities who do not speak English, as the program is available to everyone. The reporter also asked how happy the Mayor was with the feedback on his preliminary budget. (13:18 – 13:32)
Answer: The Mayor stated that they use every available tool for outreach, including roundtables with ethnic and immigrant media. He mentioned that the phone number for enrollment offers over 200 languages to ensure language is not a barrier. He expressed that they have been “heartened” by the results seen so far and the realization that the program is for everyone. On the budget, the Mayor explained that the city faces a “generational fiscal crisis” not caused by external factors but “man-made” within city government’s control. He stated that the city is required by law to balance the budget and seeks to do so by working with Albany to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and profitable corporations, and ending the financial drain between the city and state. Without state action, the only other tool is a property tax increase, which they do not want to pursue. (13:34 – 15:45)
Funding for Office to Combat Antisemitism / NYPD Buffer Zone Legislation
Question: A reporter asked if the Mayor was considering or committed to a $20 million proposal from the previous head of the Office to Combat Antisemitism to identify vulnerable locations or houses of worship. The reporter also asked if the Mayor had spoken to NYPD Commissioner Tish and Speaker Menin about Commissioner Tish’s expressed reservations regarding buffer zone legislation. (15:56 – 16:32)
Answer: On the buffer zone legislation, the Mayor stated he has directed his law department and NYPD to review its legality, emphasizing his commitment to protecting both freedom of worship and First Amendment rights to protest. He confirmed his police commissioner has expressed concerns about the proposal. Regarding the funding for the Office to Combat Antisemitism, the Mayor stated it is an active process and that they are expanding the funding for the office and utilizing every tool to “root out bigotry.” (16:34 – 17:24)
NYPD Hiring and Retention
Question: A reporter noted pushback on the Mayor’s decision not to hire 5,000 more police officers as his predecessor wanted. The reporter also asked what the Mayor would do to convince people to work as NYPD officers, given current attrition rates make it difficult to fill the budgeted headcount of 35,000. (17:27 – 18:06)
Answer: The Mayor acknowledged the issue with retention in the department. He stated that the NYPD has taken on too many responsibilities, including 200,000 mental health calls annually. He explained that establishing a Department of Community Safety aims to transfer mental health crisis response to mental health responders, allowing police to focus on tackling violent crime. He also noted that larger classes are being hired. When asked if improving quality of life for officers by reducing forced overtime would help retention, the Mayor agreed, stating that too much forced overtime results from the expanding responsibilities given to officers. (18:07 – 19:20)
Sanitation Plow Incident
Question: A reporter asked for comment on reports of a sanitation plower causing a death by pushing snow onto a highway, and a resulting suspension in the sanitation department. (19:21 – 19:39)
Answer: The Mayor stated that this is the subject of an active NYPD investigation and he could not provide comment while it is underway, but would share updates when available. (19:41 – 19:49)
Fair Fares Expansion
Question: A reporter pointed out that the expansion of “Fair Fares” (making transit more affordable) was missing from the preliminary budget, even though the Mayor had previously supported it. They asked if it would still happen despite its absence from the preliminary budget. (19:51 – 20:14)
Answer: The Mayor explained that the preliminary budget is just the first step in the budget process, with an executive budget and adopted budget to follow. He reiterated his strong belief in making public transit more affordable and that Fair Fares is a critical tool for this. He also acknowledged the current fiscal crisis the city faces. (20:16 – 20:49)
State Funding for Fair Fares
Question: A reporter asked if the Mayor had spoken to the governor about the state helping to fund Fair Fares. (20:50 – 20:53)
Answer: The Mayor confirmed that he continues to have conversations with the governor about the importance of more affordable public transit and appreciates their partnership. (20:54 – 21:01)
During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called on the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute what he described as ‘dark money’ networks. Hawley named billionaire-linked networks tied to George Soros and Neville Roy Singham, urging federal action to hold these organisations accountable.
Sen. Josh Hawley used a Senate homeland-security hearing this week to press a familiar Washington theme—follow the money—but in a setting that fused immigration unrest, nonprofit finance and allegations of foreign influence into a single prosecutorial pitch.
In the clip circulating online under the headline “‘Soros, Singham networks funding…’: Hawley ‘exposes’ dark money groups in Minnesota at fiery hearing,” Hawley (R., Mo.) argued that recent anti-ICE protests in Minnesota were less “spontaneous” than “highly organized,” and he urged the Justice Department to “untangle” what he called a “dark money” web and bring prosecutions where possible.
“A broad ecosystem”—and a number: $60 million
The exchange turns on testimony from Seamus Bruner of the Government Accountability Institute, whom Hawley cited as an investigator of nonprofit funding networks. Bruner told senators he had “tracked over $60 million” in payments—derived from IRS Form 990 disclosures—to “approximately 14 groups” that he said were active “on the ground” in Minnesota.
Hawley seized on the figure to argue that a large, multi-entity funding architecture sits behind street-level protest activity—an architecture he described as opaque by design because nonprofit pass-through structures can make it difficult to identify original sources of funds.
Who did the witness name?
In the portion of the hearing highlighted in Hawley’s office release, Bruner listed a range of organizations and advocacy groups he said showed up in his Minnesota-focused mapping, including the ACLU (which he described as providing legal defense and training support) and other national and local groups. Among those he named were Democracy Forward, TakeAction Minnesota, Indivisible, the National Lawyers Guild, CTUL, CAIR-Minnesota, Minnesota 350, and Voices for Racial Justice.
Bruner characterized this as an “ecosystem” rather than a single organization directing events—mixing legal support, organizing capacity and communications infrastructure.
The funding theory: “networks” and pass-through pipes
Pressed on where the money comes from, Bruner pointed to what he called major “networks,” including the Soros/Open Society sphere, the Arabella funding network and the Neville Roy Singham funding network, along with other large philanthropic channels. The alleged mechanism, he suggested, is straightforward: money moves through donor-advised funds and nonprofit intermediaries and arrives as large checks to local entities.
Hawley framed that pattern as a law-enforcement problem, not just a political-finance debate, arguing that if money is financing illegal conduct—assaults on officers, property damage or interference with law enforcement—then prosecutions should follow.
“Foreign money” as the accelerant
The hearing clip also elevates a second, more explosive claim: that some of the money behind U.S. protests may be foreign-linked. Bruner repeatedly invoked Singham—describing him as an American citizen living in China with pro-CCP sympathies—and also referenced Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss in connection with Arabella-aligned vehicles, echoing prior media reporting he cited. Hawley used the allegations to argue that foreign influence should strip away any deference typically afforded to domestic political speech.
The backdrop: Minnesota as a national flashpoint
Hawley’s hearing moment is landing amid a larger national fight over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, which triggered mass demonstrations and intense scrutiny after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during enforcement actions—events that have fueled political backlash and multiple congressional inquiries.
That context matters because it helps explain why Minnesota, rather than a border state, has become the stage for an argument about nonprofit money and protest logistics: the state has been treated by both parties as a test case for where immigration enforcement ends and civil unrest begins.
What the hearing does—and doesn’t—establish
The testimony Hawley highlighted relies on two different kinds of claims that often get blurred in political media:
Accounting claims (Form 990-based mapping of grants and payments among nonprofits) can illuminate financial relationships and the size of funding streams.
Operational claims (that specific dollars funded riots, violence, or coordinated interference with law enforcement) require additional proof tying funding to specific actions and intent.
In other words, tracing grants to organizations is not the same as proving direction of illegal conduct—something Hawley effectively acknowledged by making DOJ action the endpoint of his argument: investigate first, prosecute where the facts allow.
Date: February 10, 2026
1) Setting and what Hawley was trying to establish
In a Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing chaired by Sen. Josh Hawley, the line of questioning pivots from broad program fraud to public disorder/anti-ICE unrest in Minnesota and the claim that it was not spontaneous, but organized and financially supported through “dark money” nonprofit networks.
Hawley’s objective in this segment is basically a chain:
(a) protests/riots in Minnesota show signs of coordination → (b) coordination suggests infrastructure (training, legal support, comms, logistics) → (c) infrastructure requires funding → (d) funding allegedly traces back to large donor networks (some described as foreign-linked) → (e) therefore DOJ should investigate and, where possible, prosecute.
That “DOJ investigation + prosecution” demand is Hawley’s closing theme in the press release and the hearing clip.
2) What the “on-the-ground” witness claimed about organization and tactics
A) “Highly organized and coordinated”
Minnesota State Sen. Mark Koran (as described in the press release) answers Hawley’s “spontaneous vs organized” question by saying the activity is “highly organized and coordinated,” with a mix of national and professional agitation groups plus local reporting that “30,000 observers” were trained to insert themselves into protests.
B) Tactics alleged
Koran describes (as allegations/observations) a package of tactics:
Doxxing (described as “highly coordinated”)
Violence against federal agents (including severe injury claims)
Projectiles (frozen bottles, stones, etc.)
Direct interference with law enforcement operations
C) Alleged involvement of state/local officials
Koran also claims some elected officials in the Minneapolis area were “involved,” including participation in chats and at least one named state representative (as transcribed in your text). This is presented as assertion, not proven finding, in the clip.
3) The nonprofit-funding witness: what he says he tracked and what that means
Hawley then turns to Seamus Bruner (Government Accountability Institute), introduced as someone who tracks nonprofit funding networks, and asks the core question: “What organizations have been active on the ground in Minnesota?”
Bruner’s central funding claims are:
He says he tracked “over $60 million” (based on IRS Form 990 disclosures) to ~14 groups tied to Minnesota protest activity.
He says the money originates through large donor/funding “networks,” naming:
Soros network (often shorthand for Open Society–linked giving)
Arabella funding network
Neville Roy Singham funding network
and “many others” (he also references large philanthropic networks generally)
He characterizes the structure as multi-entity pass-through funding that can obscure the original donor (“washed through multiple times”), then lands as large checks to organizations operating “on the ground.”
Important framing: in this hearing segment, these are testimony-level assertions about flows and purpose (protest/riot support), not adjudicated conclusions.
4) “What organizations have been active on the ground in Minnesota?” (the named list)
From your transcript (and consistent with Hawley’s office summary that Bruner listed Minnesota-active groups), the witness explicitly names the following as part of the Minnesota ecosystem he says received funding:
ACLU (described as providing legal defense and facilitating trainings)
Democracy Forward
TakeAction Minnesota (he singles this out as receiving over $10 million from large NGO networks)
Indivisible
National Lawyers Guild
CTUL (Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha)
CAIR-Minnesota (Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota)
Minnesota 350
Voices for Racial Justice
He presents this as a non-exhaustive list (“on and on”) within the broader “~14 groups” and “$60 million” claim.
5) How “dark money” and “foreign money” are used in the argument
In the clip, “dark money” is used in the colloquial political sense: money routed through nonprofit entities and pass-through structures that may not clearly identify original donors (especially depending on entity type and reporting). Bruner claims the structure makes it difficult to see “ultimate” donors and says this is intentionally opaque.
Then the exchange escalates into “foreign money” concerns. Bruner claims the most concerning aspect is foreign-linked funding, and the discussion focuses heavily on Neville Roy Singham and also mentions Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss as a funder of Arabella-aligned vehicles (in the witness’s telling).
Mayor Mamdani delivered the Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget (1:41) on February 17, 2026, from City Hall in Manhattan, New York. The presentation detailed the city’s financial challenges and proposed solutions.
Addressing the Inherited Budget Crisis (1:41-2:27): The administration inherited a historic budget gap (2:06), initially projected at $12 billion (2:23) by the previous Mayor Adams’ administration, which had significantly understated the deficits (5:11). The Mayor stated that this deficit was primarily due to the underbudgeting of key areas (6:34):
Strategies to Reduce the Deficit (2:09-11:00): The administration implemented several aggressive measures to lower the deficit from $12 billion to $5.4 billion (2:23):
Aggressive Savings Plan (2:09): This plan involves daily incorporation of updated revenue and bonus estimates, and the deployment of in-year reserves.
Wall Street Profits (7:22): The city incorporated higher-than-expected revenues from record-high Wall Street profits, adding:
$2.4 billion for fiscal year 2026 (7:38)
$4.9 billion for fiscal year 2027 (7:42)
Chief Savings Officers (CSOs) (8:13): An executive order established a CSO in every city agency, tasked with identifying savings (8:23) by:
Consolidating redundancies (8:28).
In-sourcing programs previously outsourced to consultants (8:31).
Eliminating extraneous programs (8:34). CSOs are mandated to issue public reports by March 20th and provide updated assessments every six months (8:37). They have clear goals of achieving 1.5% in savings in fiscal year 2026 and 2.5% in fiscal year 2027 (8:47).
Other Savings Avenues (8:57):
Reducing Current Vacancies (9:02) and removing hiring constraints (9:04).
Hiring 50 new auditors at the Department of Finance, projected to generate $100 million in new revenue per year (9:09).
Adding 200 lawyers to the Law Department to reduce tort liability, anticipating $125 million in savings in fiscal year 2027 alone (9:16).
State Aid (9:56): Governor Hochul announced a $1.5 billion contribution in state aid (10:00), which includes:
$150 million per year by reversing the distressed hospital sales tax intercept (10:17).
$60 million per year by reversing a public health cost shift (10:24).
$300 million per year invested in youth programming (10:29).
$500 million in one-time unrestricted state aid (10:32).
An additional $97 million in recurring aid from the state school aid formula (10:43).
Two Paths to Bridge the Gap (2:47-4:02, 11:03-11:34): The Mayor outlined two distinct paths for bridging the remaining $5.4 billion deficit:
Path One: Sustainable and Fair (2:50): This involves ending the drain on the city and raising taxes on the richest New Yorkers (2:56) (those earning over $1 million a year) and the most profitable corporations (2:58). This path would repair the structural imbalance where NYC contributes 54.5% to the state’s revenue but receives only 40.5% in return (26:46).
Path Two: Harmful and Last Resort (3:22): If path one is not taken, the city would be forced to raise property taxes (3:35) and raid reserves (3:38). The proposed property tax increase, if implemented, would be 9.5% (24:55), impacting all four classes of properties (23:30).
Preliminary Budget Details and Investments (13:31-16:45): The preliminary budget is balanced at $122 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $127 billion in fiscal year 2027 (13:40).
Spending Breakdown by Agency (13:50):
40% of funding to the Department of Education (DOE).
26% to social services.
12% to uniformed agencies.
22% to other agencies.
Increased Expenses (14:15): City expenses are increasing by over $14 billion to fund previously unbudgeted needs from the Adams administration (14:20), including $7.5 billion for six underbudgeted areas and $5.85 billion for other unfunded needs (14:24).
New Programmatic Spending (14:47): Only 4% ($576 million) of city dollars represent new programmatic spending (14:47), which includes:
Opening warming centers (15:00).
Increasing snow removal budgets (15:00).
Investing in clinical and behavioral health services (15:16).
Tripling funding for emergency food programs (15:38).
Capital Plan (15:51): A $13 billion preliminary 5-year capital plan (16:01) includes major investments in:
Transportation.
Environmental protection.
Housing.
Schools.
NYCHA developments: $662 million in fiscal year 2027 to boost renovations, and over $38 million to install heat pumps in 700+ housing units in the Rockaways (16:17).
Bellevue Hospital: Over $48 million to expand the adult comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (16:34).
Commitment to Affordability Agenda (52:20-53:44): Despite the fiscal crisis, the Mayor reiterated commitment to key campaign promises:
Universal Childcare: Delivering universal childcare (52:39) including fixing 3K and providing free childcare for 2-year-olds (52:51), starting with 2,000 seats this year and expanding to 12,000 seats next year (52:58).
Free Buses: Continuing efforts to make buses faster and free (53:08).
The Mayor emphasized that the preliminary budget reflects the second path out of necessity, but the administration will work to ensure the final budget reflects the first path of taxing the wealthy and ending the drain on the city (17:05).
City Hall, Blue Room Manhattan, NY February 17, 2026
News 12 Brooklyn’s Post: The former Macy’s building in Downtown Brooklyn is lit up again, now glowing with vibrant fuchsia and purple lights as part of an installation called “In Every Transition, A Pattern” by Masary Studios.
Funded through a city program that awarded 13 public realm grants totaling just over $1 million, the project aims to reactivate commercial corridors and is a welcome change for some residents.
City and business leaders say the display is meant not only to beautify the vacant storefront, but also to boost foot traffic and support local businesses along Fulton Street.
Opinion: Maybe instead of handing out millions in taxpayer money to “friendly” nonprofits to create the illusion of a comeback, the city should cut—or even suspend—property taxes for both residents and businesses (yes, like “horrible Trump” has suggested) and make rent in that building affordable for real stores. What we’re getting now isn’t revitalization—it’s glowing, empty windows: retail ghosts.
At this point, it feels less like rebuilding and more like turning New York into a Potemkin showcase—lights on in vacant buildings to convince “tourists from the West” that progressive socialism is thriving.
New York City is recruiting lifeguards now (yes, in winter) to prepare for the summer season and keep pools and beaches safer. Qualifying tests are held across all five boroughs through the winter, and February 28, 2026 is the last day to register. To qualify, applicants must be at least 16 by July 18, 2026, pass a vision exam (with specific minimum vision standards), and complete a 50-yard swim in 50 seconds or less using proper form. City officials say more lifeguards means more open swim time, more lessons, and a safer, more enjoyable summer for everyone. Registration and details are on NYC Parks’ Lifeguard Qualifying .
Mayor Zohran Mamdani today announced three new appointments to lead critical agencies and offices across city government. Mayor Mamdani appointed Lisa Gelobter as New York City’s Chief Technology Officer and Commissioner of the Office of Technology and Innovation; Nisha Agarwal as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities; and Lisa Scott-McKenzie as Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging.
A recognized leader in social impact and digital equity, Lisa Gelobter will serve as New York City’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Commissioner of the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI).
Commissioner Gelobter brings decades of experience at the intersection of technology, public service, and social impact. Most recently, Commissioner Gelobter founded tEQuitable, which helps organizations identify and address systemic workplace culture issues and uses technology to make workplaces more equitable. Commissioner Gelobter served in the Obama Administration as Chief Digital Service Officer at the U.S. Department of Education, where she focused on improving access to government services and boosting outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. Commissioner Gelobter also worked as Interim Chief Digital Officer at BET Networks, dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community. She has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 100 Women Building America’s Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses and named to Fast Company’s list of Most Creative People. Commissioner Gelobter is one of the first 40 Black women to have raised more than $1 million in venture capital funding and helped pioneer several foundational Internet technologies, including Shockwave, Hulu, and the ascent of online video.
As CTO and head of OTI, Commissioner Gelobter will oversee the city’s technology infrastructure, cyber security efforts, and data management initiatives. She will focus on using technology to expand access to vital city services and advancing digital equity across New York City.
“I’m deeply honored to be appointed by Mayor Mamdani at a moment when technology is reshaping nearly every aspect of civic life. Technology impacts how people experience government every day — from accessing services to trusting that systems work fairly and responsibly. As CTO and Commissioner, my focus will be on using technology in service of the public good: improving delivery, strengthening accountability, and ensuring innovation reflects the needs of all New Yorkers,” said CTO and OTI Commissioner Gelobter. “I’m excited to work alongside the extraordinary team at OTI, our partners, and communities across the City to deliver technology that truly works for everyone.”
“Lisa Gelobter’s decades-long career as a computer scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur has been defined by her commitment to leveraging technology for the public good,” said Mayor Mamdani. “I am honored that she will bring that same vision and leadership to City Hall as our next Chief Technology Officer.”
“New York City needs leaders who are smart, creative, and deeply committed to advancing the public good. Lisa Gelobter is all three. No matter where she works, Lisa brings a relentless belief in the ability of technology to uplift and empower people — to create a country where every person can access and afford an education, to create a tech industry where every person can deepen their skills and find a job, to create programs where every person can participate and get ahead. I am excited to see her bring that belief to the Mamdani Administration,” said State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “Working in the trenches with Lisa at the U.S. Department of Education when I was U.S. Secretary of Education for President Obama, I saw first-hand Lisa’s intelligence and work ethic, her compassion and kindness, her commitment and drive. Congratulations to Mayor Mamdani on an excellent appointment and congratulations to Lisa on this extraordinary opportunity.”
“Lisa Gelobter is the real deal. I’ve seen firsthand how she cancels bad contracts without hesitation, builds teams that deliver, and always puts the needs of everyday people first,” said Erie Meyer, former CTO, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “She listened to overwhelmed students who were getting ripped off by for-profit schools and published the truth in open data. Lisa is fearless when it comes to making sure government serves the people it’s supposed to serve and that taxpayer dollars deliver real value. That’s exactly the kind of CTO you want leading technology in the middle of an affordability crisis. Bad actors should be on notice — Lisa will make sure city tech works for New Yorkers, not just well-connected companies.”
“Lisa is absolutely the right person at the right moment to be leading technology efforts in the Mamdani Administration. We have backed her as an entrepreneur for nearly a decade and seen her in action advising startups how to work with the public sector. Her unwavering commitment is to closing gaps of access, opportunity and outcomes for low-income communities and communities of color,” said Mitch and Freada Kapor, Founding Partners, Kapor Capital. “Lisa is dedicated to using tech to create more inclusive and fair workplaces, and to make services more accessible, more respectful and more cost-effective. Our experience tells us that Lisa will make a transformative difference for her fellow New Yorkers.”
“Lisa Gelobter has always been a catalyst for change. She brings the rare combination of deep technical and digital service design experience, and a lifelong commitment to equity that New York City needs in its next Chief Technology Officer,” said Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director, BetaNYC. “From helping shape the early internet and streaming media to improving federal digital services in the U.S. Department of Education, she has consistently demonstrated how technology can deliver real results for the public. We are excited about the opportunity to work with a CTO who understands that modern, accessible, and trustworthy digital infrastructure is essential to a city that works for all New Yorkers.”
“New Yorkers excited about Mayor Mamdani’s vision should be thrilled with his choice for OTI Commissioner and CTO,” said Jennifer Pahlka, author, Recoding America, and founder, Recoding America Fund. “Lisa is a wise and seasoned tech leader who has proven she understands more than technology. She knows how to make government work for people.”
About Nisha Agarwal
An accomplished public interest attorney as well as public servant, Nisha Agarwal will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).
Working across the public, advocacy, and legal sectors, Commissioner Agarwal has dedicated her career to empowering vulnerable New Yorkers. Commissioner Agarwal previously served as the Executive Director for Policy and Communications at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Division of Mental Hygiene. She also served as Deputy Executive Director for Impact and a Senior Advisor at International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), a global legal aid and advocacy organization. Under the de Blasio administration, Commissioner Agarwal led the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs — building landmark initiatives like IDNYC, the city’s municipal identification card, and Cities for Action, a national advocacy coalition of local elected officials. Commissioner Agarwal also served as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives, where she worked to boost civic engagement among New Yorkers and build DemocracyNYC’s efforts on immigration, people with disabilities, and justice involved communities. Before entering city government, Commissioner Agarwal led the Health Justice Program at the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, served as Deputy Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Popular Democracy, and worked as Executive Director of the Immigrant Justice Corps.
As head of MOPD, Commissioner Agarwal will work across city government and with the disability community to make sure that every New Yorker can access the city’s spaces, services, and resources.
“I am honored to be the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. All of the priorities that Mayor Mamdani supports are critical for people with disabilities: affordable housing and food, access to health and mental health, free transportation, education equity, and employment opportunities,” said MOPD Commissioner Agarwal. “I will work with and on behalf of disabled New Yorkers to tackle these issues and ensure that people with disabilities are at the forefront for creating this city more livable for all.”
“It’s not enough for New York City to be affordable for everyone — it must be accessible to everyone, too. With decades of experience in public service, Commissioner Agarwal will help our administration deliver on that mission and build a city where every New Yorker can succeed,” Mayor Mamdani said. “From housing to health care to education, Commissioner Agarwal will work across government to break down barriers and ensure that our administration delivers for New Yorkers with disabilities.”
“New York’s most vulnerable populations rely on steady leadership in government to make our city more accessible, livable, and affordable,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “I am so proud to welcome these outstanding public servants — each of whom brings a wealth of experience in their respective fields — to the administration. Every voice should be heard and valued, and I look forward to working alongside the incoming commissioners to ensure New York is a city where everyone can live to their full potential.”
“New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) applauds Mayor Mamdani’s appointment of Nisha Agarwal as the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities,” said Ruth Lowenkron, Director, NYLPI’s Disability Justice Program. “NYLPI has worked with Ms. Agarwal extensively over the years, including in her role as executive director for policy and communications at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and as executive director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, where she started up a disability justice program. Her lived experience as a person with disabilities, as well as her advocacy on behalf of the disability community, make her an excellent candidate for the job, and we look forward to working with her.”
“Nisha Agarwal will be a tremendous partner and advocate for disabled New Yorkers as Mayor Mamdani’s Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities,” said Joe Rappaport, Executive Director, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled. “We congratulate her. As in her past work with us, we know she will listen to New Yorkers with disabilities, fight for us and work inside and outside the administration to advance equal access and equity for our community.”
“Nisha Agarwal is a dedicated public servant and we are thrilled to see her serve as the next commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities,” said Roderick Jones, President, Goddard Riverside. “At Goddard, we help thousands of community members get the supports needed to live with dignity and respect. But we cannot do this without partners who understand diverse communities, the barriers they face, and how to ensure they have what they need to thrive. As a lawyer with both nonprofit and government leadership experience, Nisha has the combination of knowledge, creativity, and heart needed in City Hall to ensure New Yorkers with disabilities have equitable access to services and opportunities. We will be excited to work with her towards a more accessible New York City for all.”
About Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie
A longtime city employee and community leader, Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging).
Dr. Scott-McKenzie has served the North Brooklyn community for nearly four decades, most recently as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at New York City Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. In that role, she shepherded multi-million-dollar construction projects and helped lead key divisions across the hospital, including Facilities Management, Engineering, Central Sterile, Environmental Services, Emergency Management, Biomedical Engineering, Patient Relations, Social Work Services, Hospital Police, Environment of Care, Support Services, Ancillary Services, Public Affairs, Community Affairs and Patient Experience Divisions. For her work leading H+H Woodhull, Dr. Scott-McKenzie was voted one of the Top 50 COOs in the world and received a 2024 OnCon Icon Award. Dr. Scott-McKenzie is also a Certified Emergency Manager, serving as Incident Commander for events ranging from the Y2K Conversion to the Northeastern Blackout in 2003 to Superstorm Sandy in 2012. She began her career in 1986 as a Stenographic Secretarial Associate in Radiology at NYC H+H.
As the head of NYC Aging, Commissioner Dr. Scott-McKenzie will help make sure that older adults can access the housing, health care, and city services they need to age in New York City.
“It is my distinct honor to have been selected by Mayor Mamdani to serve New York City seniors and older adults and be a strong advocate for affordable housing, enhanced safety, food and economic stability as well as to take measures to ease the effects of loneliness,” said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Scott-McKenzie. “Our seniors have earned the right to age gracefully with dignity and respect in the city that we love. I will work tirelessly to make this a reality.”
“We want to make sure the seniors who shaped our city can stay in it — with an affordable place to live, accessible parks to enjoy and reliable access to the benefits they’ve earned. NYC Aging is central to that mission, and I can’t think of a better person to lead it than Dr. Scott-McKenzie,” Mayor Mamdani said. “From helping oversee our public hospital system to coordinating emergency responses during major crises, Dr. Scott-McKenzie has dedicated her career to protecting, uplifting and empowering New Yorkers. She has fought relentlessly to make government work for the people who need it most, and I’m excited to bring her leadership and experience to NYC Aging.”
“With so many older adults who are food insecure, in need of affordable healthcare, and suffering loneliness in New York City, I am super excited to welcome Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie as the new Commissioner for the Department for the Aging,” said New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee. “I have known Dr. Scott-McKenzie for almost two decades and worked alongside her at H+H/Woodhull where I witnessed firsthand how she treated those most vulnerable among us. She is smart, warm and kind. I know our city’s older adults (of which I am one) will be in good hands under her leadership.”
“I congratulate the Mamdani Administration on the appointment of Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie as Commissioner for the Aging. As a former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and DFTA Commissioner, I believe that Dr. Scott-McKenzie’s experience in the healthcare field, her compassion and her management skills will enable her to make a real difference in the lives of the aging population of New York City,” said former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Lilliam Barrios-Paoli. “Her commitment to addressing critical issues being faced by so many seniors, such as increasing poverty and isolation, unstable housing and food insecurity, make her appointment an important statement by the administration. I am sure that the seniors, the provider community and the advocates in the field will be well served by this appointment.”
“We at LiveOn NY congratulate Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie on her appointment as NYC Aging Commissioner and we are excited to begin this new chapter of aging in New York City,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director, LiveOn NY. “As our city ages we must ensure that we are doing everything we can to make sure we have the housing and services we need to remain vital members of our communities. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Scott-McKenzie to make New York a better place to age.”
Mayor Mamdani announced the appointments at the SAGE Center Brooklyn at Stonewall House, which provides LGBTQ+ seniors with a welcoming space to access culturally competent services, community spaces, and digital resources.
