The Trump administration’s decision to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to community organizations has sparked outrage among Democrats in New York.
- The grants support a range of community programs, including those focused on crime-victim advocacy, gun-violence prevention, and efforts to address opioid-related deaths and hate crimes.
- State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) has condemned the move, calling it “deeply disappointing” and stating that it goes against the president’s campaign promises to address public safety issues.
- Myrie is advocating for the state to address the financial impact of these federal cuts within the still-emerging state budget, and has proposed a bill to fully establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) by providing it with more resources and opening interagency coordination.
Financial Impact of the Cuts
The cancellation of these grants will have a significant financial impact on community organizations in New York, including those that support crime-victim advocacy, gun-violence prevention, and efforts to address opioid-related deaths and hate crimes.
| Grants | $Millions | Programs Supported |
| Crime-Victim Advocacy | 20 | Support for victims of violent crime, including counseling services and advocacy |
| Gun-Violence Prevention | 30 | Programs aimed at reducing gun violence, including community-based programs and law enforcement training |
| Opioid-Related Deaths | 20 | Efforts to address the opioid crisis, including harm reduction services and treatment programs |
| Hate Crimes | 10 | Programs aimed at reducing hate crimes, including community-based programs and law enforcement training |
Advocacy from State Sen. Myrie
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s decision to cancel these grants. blockquote>
“Someone who had campaigned on the disorder he was seeing in cities. The very programs that are meant to help keep the public safe…he’s getting rid of.”
Myrie has proposed a bill to fully establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) by providing it with more resources and opening interagency coordination. “We should be disgusted by [these cuts] as New Yorkers, and in fact, it provides a greater incentive for us to take more action right here in the state and the city,” he said.
A Response to the Cuts
Myrie has called for the state to address the financial impact of these federal cuts within the still-emerging state budget.
| Budget | $Billion | Days Late |
| State Budget | 30 | 24 |
Myrie believes that the state needs to take action to fill the gap and meet the needs of New Yorkers. “I think in this year’s budget, we have to take steps that are going to help us meet the needs of New Yorkers,” he said.
A Call for Political Courage
Myrie has called for the state to take a stand against the Trump administration’s decision, even if it means taking the fight to the courts. “I think we are in a moment that is going to require some real political courage, but also some legal acumen; we’re going to have to take the fight to them in court,” he said.
Conclusion
The cancellation of these community grants is a deeply concerning decision that has sparked outrage among Democrats in New York.
- State Sen.
