SC New York News

U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (NY-19) introduced the Keep Our Streets Safe Act, aimed at encouraging Albany to repeal bail reform and the Clean Slate Act. These laws, according to Molinaro, conceal felony records from public view and limit judicial discretion regarding pre-trial release decisions.

Molinaro was joined by U.S. Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Anthony D'Esposito (NY-18), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Nick LaLota (NY-1), and Brandon Williams (NY-22) in presenting the bill.

The proposed legislation stipulates that if a state like New York enforces laws that either hide felony records or restrict judges from assessing dangerousness during pre-trial release determinations, federal funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) will be redirected. Instead of going to the state government, these funds would go directly to local governments.

The JAG Program offers financial support to states, tribes, and local governments for various purposes including courts, crime prevention, corrections, law enforcement, as well as mental health, drug treatment, and veteran programs.

"Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook to prop up a regime in Albany that is making us less safe," said Rep. Molinaro. "This bill will take funds from Albany and reinvest them directly into the local police, courts, and governments that are actually doing the work to restore public safety.”