Democratic lawmakers are sounding the alarm on what they said has been the One Big Beautiful bill's impact on social services.

Over the past 25 years, the number of Westchester residents receiving SNAP benefits has nearly doubled, reaching over 77,000 individuals in 2022, lawmakers said. They worry that any cuts to SNAP benefits will increase the demand for food pantries, forcing even more people to rely on these already-strained volunteer efforts.

"The Big Ugly law pushed by House Republicans and President Trump was a victory of ideology over reality. In the real world, this will take food away from working families, seniors, and veterans," Rep. George Latimer said. "It will make life harder and more expensive for many people, increasing the burden on places like Feeding Westchester."

New York may soon change what the state parole board can consider when deciding whether to release people convicted of serious crimes from when they were underage.

The rule before the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision would allow the board to give great weight to "minor offender characteristics" when people are up for parole. This includes a child's ongoing brain development, limited control over their environment, maturity, prior interactions with law enforcement and rehabilitation since.

Supporters of the change say it will expand and more clearly define the factors the parole board has to consider, but opponents worry it could lead to more criminals who were convicted of serious crimes back out in society.

State Sen. Rob Rolison sent a letter to the state Board of Parole chair seeking more clarity.

"The Parole Board’s duty is to protect the public and stand with victims—not to create a path for offenders who have already proven they are capable of unimaginable harm," he said. "Public safety must be the top priority for government, never an afterthought."

The DOCCS referred News 12 to the proposed regulations.