Even as she confronted the statistics in a speech Tuesday, Gov. Hochul appeared to be grappling with the ugly reality of bias crimes plaguing New York State.

“It breaks my heart to know that the number of anti-Semitic acts — hate crimes — have more than doubled, more than doubled, if that’s possible,” Hochul said before a packed, diverse audience at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

“We stand here today recommitted to two words: No more, no more, no more hate in our state,” she said.

What You Need To Know

  • Legislation would strengthen hate crime reporting and investigation on college campuses

  • Hochul announced the two measures at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

  • Governor warns that anti-Semitic violence is intensified by social media

The governor announced two measures to help combat the hate: legislation impacting college campuses and an infusion of security grants.

“Over $51 million, the most ever in our state’s history, dedicated to eradicate hate, to organizations, to over a thousand organizations, starting today,” she said.

The funds for houses of worship, cultural centers and other venues, she said, were targeted by virtue of their mere existence can be used to improve cybersecurity, train staff and bring on more staff.

Hochul also signed legislation requiring colleges to post campus crime statistics on their website, implement a plan for investigating hate crimes and inform new students about prevention measures.

The bill’s sponsors are State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and outgoing State Assemblyman Dan Rosenthal.

“Discrimination and antisemitism have begun to seep into our institutions of higher education, leaving students feeling unsafe while they’re in school,” Rosenthal said.

Hochul warned Tuesday about the proliferation of hate in a modern era.

“Imagine a world where social media was available during Hitler’s time on this earth,” she said. “I’ve spoken to many Holocaust survivors and they see the same winds starting to swirl around.”