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The state's child poverty rate is an abysmal testament to what our state touts that it holds dear, our children. The Child Poverty Reduction Act, which was commissioned by our governor to address the issue, has submitted its recommendations that would cut the child poverty rate in half.

Children living in poverty is a large factor in the health of a state economically, health-wise and environmentally. The state has one of the highest proportions of billionaires and corporate wealth in the nation while still having a high child poverty rate. When I see my own grandchildren and family and neighbors’ children who have so much and yet out of every five of them there is 1 child who is living in poverty, I am angered especially when we could change that easily. Who does not want to see every child living their best life?

In the budget, the governor threw out some bones, but the bones need meat on them to lift these children out of poverty and cut our child poverty rate in half. We need to tell the governor to increase the Empire Child Credit from $330 per child to $1,500 annually per child, expanding eligibility. We also need a state rental assistance program created to cover the difference between rent and 30 percent of household income.

There needs to be established a state Food Assistance Program that would cover 65,000 households with children currently excluded from SNAP. This meat on the bones would get us halfway to the goal of eliminating in our state child poverty, which is really what should be the only acceptable reality.

Published March 3, 2025

The recent commentary "Housing vouchers critical to reduce childhood poverty," Feb. 14, offers a glimpse of light when dealing with our very disturbing reality. Child poverty in our state is not only persistent but worsening. With many children across the state and country living in poverty, immediate actions such as housing vouchers are necessary to break this cycle of hardship.

As a social worker and advocate, I see firsthand how child poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life. From food insecurity to educational disparities to long-term health outcomes, the impacts are endless. Housing insecurity is at the forefront of the devastating effects that are felt. Offering housing assistance, housing educational programs, and increasing access to affordable childcare will provide families with the necessary stability they need to escape poverty. Furthermore, expanding tax credits can also have a proven impact in reducing poverty rates.

New York has the resources to lead the nation in tackling the housing crisis and this is a small glimpse of what can be done. I urge policymakers, community leaders, and fellow residents to further prioritize these initiatives and work together to create a brighter future for all children in the United States.

Published March 3, 2025

We are deeply disturbed to learn that Attorney General Letitia James has declined to file criminal charges against former Troy Police Officer Justin Byrnes who killed Sabeeh Alalkawi two years ago while responding to an emergency driving at high speeds through a red light.

The attorney general declined to charge Byrnes, citing insufficient proof of reckless manslaughter. But did he recklessly disregard others' safety by speeding through a red light? We believe so and agree with Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Niemi, who found Byrnes acted recklessly by running a red light at a blind intersection at 88 mph.

While it’s the most tragic, this is not an isolated incident. A Times Union article, "Troy police crashes spike," reported that since 2012, Troy police vehicle collisions have injured 36 officers and civilians, with 49 percent occurring during emergency responses. “It feels to me in Troy there is a culture of whenever a call goes out, no matter the seriousness of the call, just hit the pedal to the metal,” said Danny Killion who was seriously injured when he was struck by a police cruiser speeding through a red light.

By choosing not to file criminal charges against Byrnes, the attorney general has deprived Alalkawi’s family of the justice they deserve.

The writer is the president of the Justice Center of Rensselaer........

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