ALBANY, N.Y. — A recent measure aimed at addressing concerns over masked individuals committing crimes has sparked criticism among lawmakers as part of New York’s $254 billion state budget deal. Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative faced backlash for being insufficient, with some legislators asserting it does not meet public safety needs.
Originally proposed as a mask ban, the final version of the measure has been weakened to increase jail time and impose minor penalties for those who conceal their identities while committing offenses. This modification has left many lawmakers unimpressed.
“This amounts to very little more than a token gesture,” state Senator Anthony Palumbo, a Republican, stated during the Senate debate. He emphasized that while the effort may have been well-intentioned, it fails to adequately address the problem at hand.
The push for a mask ban gained traction following the rise of antisemitic incidents, particularly after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas against Israel. Jewish community leaders have been vocal in advocating for stricter laws to ensure public safety.
State Senator Jack Martins, also a Republican, expressed his disappointment with the measure, saying, “While it’s commendable that we are putting something on the books, this legislation does not truly prioritize the safety of innocent residents in our state.”
Amidst the criticism, a coalition of nonprofit organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and NAACP, applauded the introduction of the new penalty structure. “This law couldn’t have come a moment too soon,” the group declared, emphasizing the need for accountability against those who utilize masks to evade responsibility for their actions.
As of Thursday evening, the new statute has yet to be signed into law and will not have any effect on recent incidents involving masked protesters at Columbia University, which raised alarms among lawmakers and community leaders.
Some legislators noted that this current legislation falls short of addressing long-standing concerns. Assemblyman Kalman Yeger highlighted the inadequacy of the new rules compared to a previous mask ban, which was eliminated in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The repeal had been influenced by public health needs and fears of potential misuse by law enforcement.
“There’s no disputing the fact that this is a compromise that comes far too late,” Yeger said, adding that there has been ongoing pressure to rectify the past decision.
Assemblyman Sam Berger remarked that while compromises can be necessary in legislation, this particular measure feels more like a placation than a genuine solution to the problem of antisemitism in the state, which boasts one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel.
Berger expressed hope that the state legislature would revisit additional measures aimed at combating antisemitism before the conclusion of this year’s session in mid-June.
Despite the criticisms of the mask measure, Hochul and her administration attempted to navigate the delicate issue in hopes of finding common ground among lawmakers. Initially, a stronger penalty targeting masked harassment was proposed but faced significant opposition from within her own party.
State Senator Jim Skoufis, who crafted the earlier proposal, acknowledged the compromises made, reiterating that while the outcome may not be ideal, it represents the best possible path forward under the current circumstances.
Lawmakers and community leaders continue to call for more effective strategies to address rising concerns around public safety and the rise of hate-fueled incidents, with many arguing that the recent legislation is not sufficient to protect New Yorkers adequately.