Page 7 - qt edition #52

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 7

Assemblyman Braunstein Delivers DiNapoli Statement on MTA Budget

Thousands of Holiday Toys to Queens to total $250 million by 2029.
“The Authority also pushed
Children in Need back its anticipated receipt of
$600 million in federal funds
Assemblyman Edward C. for COVID-19 expenses split
between 2025 and 2026 to 2026,
Braunstein (D-Bayside) is proud 2027 and 2028. While these
to announce that, through the funds are likely still a budget
generosity of hundreds of North- risk, given a lack of clarity from
east Queens families, 11 schools, Washington, the MTA is less reli-
and community organizations, his New York State Comptroller ant on these funds to balance its
office’s annual Holiday Toy Drive Thomas P. DiNapoli released budget in 2026. The MTA should
collected thousands of toys for the following statement on the continue to work with its partners
children, teens and young adults Metropolitan Transportation Au- at the State and in the New York
who are hospitalized or in need. thority’s 2026 Adopted Budget: Congressional delegation to re-
The toys have been distributed to “The Metropolitan Trans- ceive these funds for services
several charitable organizations portation Authority’s Adopted already rendered.
throughout Queens ahead of the Budget for 2026 reflects several “Other positive fiscal develop-
holidays. actions that have become nec- ments include the potential for
“I want to express my gratitude essary in order to prepare for casino tax revenues to be avail-
to the Northeast Queens com- potential federal funding cuts. able as early as next year, but
munity, whose generosity made it “On the spending side, the for which the MTA has wisely
possible for my office to facilitate MTA proactively targeted addi- not yet budgeted for, and a con-
the donation of thousands of toys tional savings from new operat- tinued return of transit ridership
for children of all ages to chari- ing efficiencies, including $75 that puts the Authority on target
table organizations throughout the million in 2026, which will help to meet its 2026 projection. The
borough. I sincerely thank each . Assemblyman Braunstein is pictured with St. Mary’s the Authority balance its budget Authority must continue recent
and every person who embodied Healthcare System for Children President & CEO Sean next year. It’s important that the efforts to proactively manage
the holiday spirit of giving and do- Lally while visiting to donate toys to children at the facility. MTA continues the work of iden- its budget and ensure frequent,
nated a toy to our drive,” said As- tifying the sources of these po- safe and reliable service to bring
semblyman Edward Braunstein. tential savings, which it expects straphangers back to the system.”
“Each thoughtful donation will
help a local family create mean-
ingful memories. This incredible
effort would not be possible with-
out the support of the community
and the hard work of my staff. I
wish you and your family a very
healthy and happy holiday season
and 2026!”
The organizations who received
the toys included: Blueprint 4
Kids drive for homeless families;
QSAC Day School of Whitestone;
QSAC Preschool & Early Child-
hood Center of Douglaston; the
Queens Chronicle Toy Drive;
Ronald McDonald House Metro;
St. Mary’s Hospital for Children;
Transition Domestic Violence . Assemblyman Braunstein is pictured with QSAC Whitestone
Center; the United States Army for faculty while dropping off toy donations at the school.
the children of deployed military
personnel from Fort Totten and YWCA of NYC. Each organiza- the toys to distribute to the local Read Our Paper Online and Play
other local reserve bases; and the tion was given an allotment of children and families they serve. Sudoku and crossword puzzles

AM Colton Appreciates Efforts by Residents, Elected online Visit queenstimes.com
Officials And Organizations to Replace Stolen Toys

Since word got out that the toys
left in the Toys for Tots box at the
district office of Assemblyman
William Colton (D—Gravesend,
Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and
Dyker Heights) had been filched,
numerous generous people and
organizations have stepped in to
fill the gap.
Among those going the extra
mile so that children in need
won’t go without a present at the
holidays are the not-for-profit
organization UA3, National Grid,
Brooklyn Borough President An-
tonio Reynoso and City Council-
member Susan Zhuang, as well as
numerous anonymous individuals
who have brought toys into the as-
semblyman’s 155 Kings Highway
office.
“I still don’t understand
why anybody would steal toys
donated to be given to children
who are less fortunate, but we Representatives of UA3 and National Grid brought a load
have learned, since the incident of donated toys to Assemblyman William Colton’s district
occurred, that many other people office on Tuesday, December 16, to replace those that had
have hearts of gold,” said Assem- been stolen from the Toys for Tots box a few days earlier.
blyman William Colton. “Since
the theft last week, so many people we would have had, had the theft holiday.”
and groups have stepped up to of- not occurred. I am so grateful to “During this season of giv-
fer toys and support that I believe all these individuals and organi- ing, the news of a toy theft from
that, in the end, we will have a lot zations for helping to make sure
more toys for these children than that these children have a happy (Continued on page 8)