Staten Island Budget Investments, Liberty Medal Of Honor, Honoring 68 Fallen Officers: Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Staten Island Budget Investments, Liberty Medal Of Honor, Honoring 68 Fallen Officers: Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Editor’s note: State Senator Scarcella-Spanton helped install a sign for the Fort Hamilton Veterans Memorial Highway in Brooklyn.  She also prioritized community safety with capital funding for enhanced cameras in the 120th Precinct. 

SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON PRIORITIZES PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURES RESOURCES FOR SENATE DISTRICT 23 IN FY2026 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET

ALBANY, NY – The New York State Senate passed parts of the FY2026 State Budget, enacting into law major components of legislation which are necessary to implement the state fiscal plan for the state fiscal year.

“I’m proud to have secured vital measures in the State Budget that enhance safety, security, and quality of life for my constituents in Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. From delivering key funding for local organizations and nonprofits to providing the necessary funds for health screenings for our brave firefighters and fire officers, I’m proud to continue taking the lead on ensuring Senate District 23 receives the support it needs and deserves from the State of New York.

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This year’s budget puts the needs of our law enforcement community at the forefront—protecting the pensions and benefits of our brave brothers and sisters in blue by restoring the 20-year service retirement for New York City police officers and increasing the final average salary for those officers who have served more than 25 years. I look forward to continuing this momentum and delivering for our district through the rest of this session.

We’ve also made important strides in public safety. Our previous discovery laws, that were allowing dangerous criminals to walk free due to minor paperwork issues, have now been rectified to make sure that our law enforcement has the tools they need to protect our communities. In addition, I’m happy that this budget restores common-sense involuntary commitment laws to better support individuals experiencing mental health crises. These long-overdue changes address a growing public safety crisis on our subways and streets, where tragic incidents have become far too common. That’s why I fought to include my legislation in the budget—to do my part in keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton.

Key Highlights

Prioritizing Public Safety

Senator Scarcella-Spanton’s legislation, Senate Bill S2710, was included in the FY2026 budget. This restores the 20-year service retirement for New York City police officers, ensuring they receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.

Senate Bill S4262 ensures that long-serving members of the NYPD receive fair recognition for their dedication and service – increasing the annual salary, imputed for final average salary purposes, for police detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants with 25 or more years of service in the New York City Police Pension Fund, and helping to provide them with a more secure retirement.

The FY2026 Budget also includes critical reforms to New York’s mental health system to ensure individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care. Everyday New Yorkers using our subway system to simply travel to work are less safe due to mentally ill people creating hazardous conditions for themselves and those around them, with no way to get help. The budget includes a “gravely disabled” standard for involuntary commitment, allowing intervention when an individual is unable to meet essential needs—such as food, shelter, or medical care—due to mental illness. These reforms will give recourse for psychiatric medical professionals to make the necessary evaluations and certifications that can tangibly get people the help they need but would otherwise not have or be able to access– protecting those in crisis while also restoring safety and peace of mind to the neighborhoods we all call home.

“From longer 911 response times to fewer cops on the street, the effects of the historic NYPD staffing crisis are being felt in every New York City neighborhood….We are truly grateful to Senator Scarcella-Spanton for being a fierce champion for New York City police officers and for rallying her colleagues’ support behind this common-sense incentive to help us recruit and retain the Finest,” said NYC PBA President Patrick Hendry.

“The SBA is extremely grateful to Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton for her sponsorship of these crucial bills. They are of extreme importance to NYPD personnel and it is refreshing and rewarding to have such strong support from an elected official during these challenging times, ” said Vincent J. Vallelong, President of the NYC Sergeants Benevolent Association.

Delivering for Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn: Local Investments

$75,000,000 investment into Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities

$550,000 for the Sunrise Day Camp at the JCC of Staten Island

$80,000,000 for the Mitchell-Lama Housing Development Capital Upgrades

$4,800,000 for the Red Cross of Greater New York

$1,000,000 for the Holocaust Survivors Initiative

$500,000 for a CUNY Midwifery Program

$750,000 for Health Screenings for Firefighters & Fire Officers

$250,000 for the Senior Services at Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI)

$150,000 for the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

$150,00 for NYU College of Dentistry’s Veterans Oral Care Access Resource program

$100,000 for the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office

$50,000 for the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC)

“We are grateful to Senator Scarcella-Spanton for her advocacy for Sunrise Day Camp… Funding from the State would provide critical support and would allow our JCC to continue to offer free day camp to children with cancer and their siblings,” said Orit Lender, CEO of the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our borough’s economy, and this investment will make a real impact in strengthening Staten Island’s business community. We thank Senator Scarcella-Spanton for her partnership and her unwavering support of Staten Island’s small businesses,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

“Hundreds of thousands of people live in Mitchell-Lama housing across New York City, with over 8,000 of them living at Warbasse Houses. Capital investments are critical for preserving the safety and quality of these homes, and for preventing these costs from being shouldered by our residents, many of whom are older adults or new families concerned with affordability. We are grateful to Senator Scarcella-Spanton for advocating for the inclusion of this funding, which will make Mitchell-Lama residences better, safer and more affordable for generations to come,” said Michael Silverman, Board President, Amalgamated Warbasse Houses

“It is difficult to overstate how vital this grant is for the health and safety of firefighters and fire officers. Cancer and cardiovascular illness has disproportionately affected our profession for members both young and old. We thank Senator Scarcella-Spanton for ensuring the funding continues to provide the one tool we have in fighting this crisis: early detection,” said James Brosi, President UFOA.

“The hallmark of an effective elected official is their responsiveness to the needs of their constituents, and Senator Scarcella-Spanton has demonstrated this quality with exceptional care. Southern Brooklyn is home to the largest concentration of older adults in New York, and as they age and become more frail, their need for comprehensive services grows. This grant is crucial in helping us support these seniors, enabling them to maintain their independence with dignity and remain in their homes and communities, which is far more cost-effective than institutionalization.

We are deeply grateful to Senator Scarcella-Spanton for her dedication to the well-being of our community and for her leadership in securing this vital funding to improve the lives of our seniors, “ said Rabbi Moshe Wiener
Executive Director
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI)

CUNY Midwifery Program

Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton led the effort to secure $500,000 for a midwifery program at CUNY. Expanding and investing in midwifery is a critical step toward improving maternal health outcomes, reducing mortality rates, and ensuring more families have access to the care they deserve. The funding would assist in expenses for the programs, faculty, space accommodations, simulation equipment, educational technologies software, clinical affiliation agreements, and related program costs. Additional funding is also needed to sustain the program’s operational costs and maintain an intimate class size that ensures students can receive high-quality instruction and appropriate clinical placements. CUNY’s Midwifery Program will provide much needed prenatal and postpartum care–enhancing care for women during childbirth including monitoring the mother and fetus during labor, assessing labor progress, managing complications, and assisting with pain management is essential for current and future generations.

NYU College of Dentistry’s Veterans Oral Care Access Resource Program Funding

The NYU College of Dentistry’s Veterans Oral Care Access Resource program (VOCARE) helps bridge the gap in dental care access for veterans. This program conducted over 4,500 patient visits and nearly 9,500 procedures in its first year of operation, showing the considerable unmet demand for dental care among our state’s veteran population. Through the program, they provide dental services to veterans in the NYC area who are not eligible to receive those services through the VA. Since the launch of the program, thousands of much-needed services have been performed at no out-of-pocket cost to veterans.

Universal Free School Meals

The FY2026 State Budget ensures that every one of New York’s over 2.7 million students can receive free breakfast and lunch at school, regardless of their family’s income. This monumental investment builds on federal support to eliminate financial burdens by helping families save money while addressing food insecurity among children. By guaranteeing access to healthy meals, New York is leveling the playing field and creating more opportunities for students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Ban in Schools

This budget requires each school district, charter school, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to adopt a written policy prohibiting the use of internet-enabled devices by students during the school day anywhere on school grounds. Students in schools today are facing rising levels of poor mental health and declining attention spans, largely due to constant exposure to social media, messaging, and other online distractions. Our kids deserve the ability to focus on learning without the interference of a cell phone, and this measure will help make that possible.

Senator Scarcella-Spanton expressed her pride in advocating for and securing key measures in the final state budget to enhance safety and fairness for her constituents and all New Yorkers, and looks forward to continuing this important legislative work through the end of the 2025 Senate Session.

Senator Scarcella-Spanton was appointed as Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, and is a member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Disabilities, Labor, and Women’s Issues.

Senator Scarcella-Spanton Recognizes Brooklyn FDNY Firefighter Jose Cristales on New York State Senate Floor Upon Awarding Him with Liberty Medal for His Life-Saving Efforts While Off-Duty 

Albany, NY – On May 5, 2025, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton recognized FDNY Firefighter Jose Cristales on the Senate floor after awarding him with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the State Senate, in recognition of his extraordinary heroism while off-duty in July 2024.

The Liberty Medal, voted on by the full New York State Senate, is awarded to individuals who have taken heroic, extraordinary action in service of others. For members of law enforcement or first responders, this means acting above and beyond the call of duty.

Jose Cristales, a Brighton Beach resident, sprang into action on the morning of July 11th, 2024 when he was awakened by screams outside his home. Without hesitation, he rushed outside and found a 19-year-old woman pinned beneath an SUV. Drawing on his FDNY training and instincts, Cristales immediately began coordinating a rescue. With help from a nearby construction crew operating a bulldozer, the vehicle was lifted, allowing Cristales to begin CPR and assist until first responders arrived.

“The Liberty Medal is reserved for acts of exceptional courage, and the actions that Jose selflessly took that day demonstrated a rare level of foresight and heroism. What Jose didn’t hesitate to do shows that he embodies the very best of the FDNY’s values: training, teamwork, and service. His quick thinking didn’t just save a life, it reminded us what it means to be a New Yorker,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton. “Jose truly represents what it means to be one of New York’s Bravest, and I was proud to present him with this recognition and welcome him to the Senate floor.”

Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton Joins in Honoring 68 Fallen Officers at the 2025 New York State Police Officers Memorial Ceremony

Albany, NY – Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton joined law enforcement families, state leaders, and colleagues in Albany for the annual New York State Police Officers Memorial Remembrance Ceremony, where the names of 68 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty were officially added to the memorial wall. Among them were 17 officers who resided in Senator Senate District 23 at one time or another, which includes Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn.

The ceremony, held each May, serves to honor and remember police officers from across the state and federal agencies who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Since its dedication in 1991, the memorial has grown to include the names of 1,840 fallen officers from 152 state and local police departments and six federal agencies. It also includes various officers who lost their lives due to 9/11-related illness.

This year’s ceremony honored officers that came from departments throughout New York, including the New York City Police Department. The memorial, located on the Empire State Plaza in Albany, was designed by the OGS Design and Construction Group based on a concept submitted by Colleen Dillon Bergman, the daughter of fallen State Trooper Emerson J. Dillon, Jr. The wall features a quote from Bergman that reads, “It doesn’t matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same.”

The following 17 officers with ties to Senator Scarcella-Spanton’s district were among those honored:

Chief Michael A. Ansbro

Lieutenant James V. Buebendorf

Lieutenant Raymond Buzzo

Senior Investigator John L. Carey

Sergeant Frank J. Cimmino

Captain John M. Collins

Detective Joseph S. Cordaro

Sergeant Leonard C. Davis

Lieutenant James T. Delaney

Detective Herbert Fonseca

Police Officer Carlo S. Krecic

Police Officer Stephen M. Liell

Detective Scott A. McKenna

Detective Braulio Rosario

Police Officer Brian J. Rutherford

Sergeant Jack J. Santora

Police Officer Randy Van Name

Police Officer Anthony M. Varvaro

“Coming from a law enforcement family, I know firsthand the sacrifices these families have made because their loved ones answered the call to protect our communities—they don’t go unnoticed. We remember these heroes not just for how they died, but for how they lived, and now their names will forever be etched into the history of New York,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton.

“One of those names is especially personal to me—Officer Anthony Varvaro, who tragically lost his life on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 after his car was struck by a wrong-way driver on the New Jersey Turnpike while on his way to work. I had the honor of working with his family to help secure the death benefits he rightfully earned, and it was a proud moment to be present as his name was added to this memorial alongside so many others who gave so much to our communities.”

The memorial continues to stand as a solemn reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every day and the price some pay to keep their communities safe.

Ceremony. Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton

Banner Image: Liberty Medal ceremony. Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton