Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus

“Although the New York State Police agency’s decision to review their policy on religious attire comes later than many had hoped, it is nonetheless a meaningful and important step forward for the Sikh community of New York State.” said Assemblywoman...

Albany, NY – “Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill. This act is a crucial step toward transparency and oversight in our corrections system. As the Governor stated, we have much more work ahead to enhance the safety...

Albany, NY – “As my colleagues and I have stated time and again, Robert Brooks should be alive today. His wrongful death is a stark reminder that our carceral system dehumanizes and devalues the lives of New Yorkers. A prison sentence is not the death...

“Throughout the state, people rely on food assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to ease the financial burdens they face when shopping for food and groceries. As we continue to watch inflation rise and affordability...

“New York has both a moral and constitutional obligation to protect and care for individuals in its custody. What happened to Robert Brooks was a travesty, and today’s conviction of David Kingsley for his role in the murder of Mr. Brooks is significant....

Albany, NY – “The members of the Caucus are outraged by the politically motivated indictment of Attorney General Letitia James. This move reeks of desperation, coming only after impartial career prosecutors had already declined to move the case forward...

“Every ten years, the U.S. Census fulfills a constitutional duty to count every person living in this country. Trump’s push to exclude undocumented immigrants from this process is blatantly unconstitutional and part of a coordinated effort to disenfranchise...

“We’ve just barely made it through the first six months of Donald Trump’s second term, and his administration is now targeting the rights of our young athletes, " said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic,...

Brooklyn, New York – Timbuctoo Climate and Careers Institute hosted its cohort of students for this summer, marking the third consecutive year of the program. The program, which was created in partnership with SUNY College of Environmental Science and...

Albany, NY – “Congress has passed a budget that manages to do the worst of everything all at once. New Yorkers now get to watch as the federal government throws more money at ICE to tear immigrant families apart, slashes SNAP so more people go hungry,...

Albany, NY – “We are pleased the NY Supreme Court ordered the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to comply with the clear words and intention of NY's landmark HALT Solitary Confinement law. We appreciate the Court's recognition of...

Valley Stream, NY – Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Assembly Deputy Majority Leader, releases a statement on U.S. Senate’s decision to reject the AI moratorium included in the bill “Today’s vote by the Senate to reject the proposed AI moratorium,...

Albany, NY – Today, Chair Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages (D-Elmont) joined Senator Cordell Cleare (D-Harlem) and Assemblymember Monique Chandler Waterman (D-Brookyln) to host the 2025 Gun Violence Awareness Albany Advocacy Day. Members, their constituents,...

Albany, NY –Today, the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus unveiled the Robert Brooks Blueprint for Justice & Reform, a comprehensive legislative agenda aimed at transforming New York’s correctional systems. As...

Albany, NY – Today, the members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, led by Chair Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages highlighted their key wins from the 2025 People’s Budget in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget. After months...

Albany, NY – The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and exonerees held a press conference earlier today to express their strong support for New York’s successful and modernized discovery statute. Lawmakers also called for commonsense...

“While chaos is brewing across state correctional facilities, we will not allow the death of Robert Brooks to be overshadowed. His name is known because we witnessed it, but we recognize the many others whose stories have been silenced and hidden. The...

Albany, NY – Today, the Black leaders of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus (BPHA Caucus) came together to unveil the Empower Black New York Agenda aimed at improving the lives of Black New Yorkers across...

Albany – “The released body camera footage showing the horrifying beating of Robert L. Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility reveals an unacceptable abuse of power that led to a tragic loss of life. We commend the swift action by the Executive to...

January 16, 2025  Governor Kathy Hochul Office of the Governor NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Dear Governor Hochul and the NYPA Board of Trustees: As New York moves toward meeting its climate goals, we must use the energy transition to redress...