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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (January 10, 2025 - January 16, 2025) January 16, 2025 18 Community G ov.-elect Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that Kris Kolluri, president and chief execu- tive officer of NJ TRANSIT, will continue in that role while also being nominated as executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, placing both of the state’s largest transportation agencies under a single leader. Sherrill said the dual appointment is in- tended to improve coordination between transit and highway systems, reduce bureaucratic silos and modernize how people move throughout the state. Kolluri will oversee day-to-day operations at both agencies and will receive a $1 salary from the Turnpike Authority, according to the announcement. “We need a collaborative and creative approach when it comes to addressing challenges and opportunities affecting our state, which is especially true as we update New Jersey’s approach to transit,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Kris Kolluri brings decades of experience with every major transit agency in the region, and his leadership will be key as we rethink the future of transportation in New Jersey.” Sherrill also cited preparations for the 2026 FIFAWorld Cup, which will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the region, saying Kolluri’s leadership will help ensure safety and efficiency across buses, trains and highways. Kolluri said overseeing both agencies will allow New Jersey to better prepare for large-scale events while improving every- day service for commuters. “New Jersey’s success relies on the Turnpike and NJ TRANSIT working to- gether,” Kolluri said. “By overseeing both agencies, particularly for a major security event like theWorld Cup, I’ll be able to en- sure we eliminate silos and provide better service to residents and visitors alike.” Fran O’Connor, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transpor- tation, praised the appointment and thanked outgoing Turnpike Authority Executive Director Jim Carone for more than four decades of service. “With an event as large as theWorld Cup coming to our state, New Jersey needs strong leadership that can streamline oversight and communication,” O’Connor said. “Kris brings decades of experi- ence and will be able to make real-time decisions to ensure efficiency and public safety.” Kolluri was appointed president and CEO of NJ TRANSIT effective Jan. 16, 2025. He leads the nation’s largest state- wide public transportation system, which employs more than 11,000 people and provides nearly 945,000 weekday trips across bus, rail, light rail and paratransit services. Previously, Kolluri served as chief executive officer of the Gateway Develop- ment Commission, overseeing the $16.1 billion Hudson Tunnel Project. During his tenure, the project secured the largest federal investment ever made in a mass transit project and began construction on the first new heavy rail tunnels under the Hudson River in more than a century. His career also includes serving as New Jersey transportation commissioner from 2006 to 2008, chief executive officer of the New Jersey Schools Development Author- ity, and head of several higher education and community development organiza- tions. Earlier in his career, Kolluri worked for more than a decade on Capitol Hill, including as a senior policy adviser to former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. Kolluri holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a law degree from Georgetown University. Gov.-Elect Sherrill Taps Kolluri To Lead NJ Transit, Turnpike Authority By a StaffWriter G ov. Kathy Hochul and NewYork City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, announced a sweeping new plan to provide free child care for 2-year-olds in NewYork City, a major step toward universal child care that state and city leaders say will ease costs for families and strengthen the economy. Under the plan, NewYork State will fully fund the launch of “2-Care,” a universal child care program for 2-year-olds proposed by Mamdani during his mayoral campaign. The program is expected to serve about 2,000 children this fall, with capacity expanding annually until all 2-year-olds in the city are eligible within four years. Hochul said the state will commit funding for multiple years, an unusual move aimed at ensuring the program’s long-term stability as the city builds capacity and hires workers. “The era of empty promises ends with the two of us right here, right now,” Hochul said at an event at the Flatbush YMCA in Brooklyn. “Every child will have the same opportunity to get the same head start, and no working parent will have to sacrifice their paycheck or their career.” The announcement comes as child care costs in New York City routinely exceed $25,000 a year, rivaling college tuition and forcing many parents to cut back on work, delay having children or leave the state altogether. Hochul said the state’s total child care investment will reach $4.5 billion this year, including $1.7 billion in new recurring spending. That includes expanded child care subsidies, new community-based daycare pilots for chil- dren from birth to age 3, and funding to increase reim- bursement rates and stabilize the child care workforce. Mamdani, now in his first days in office, called the an- nouncement a defining moment for working families. “Today, we take one step toward realizing a city where every NewYorker can afford to keep calling it their home,” Mamdani said. “This is what it looks like when government chooses collaboration over dysfunction and delivers real results.” The mayor said the city will also invest $100 million to fix long-standing problems in the existing 3-K program, including uneven seat availability that has forced some families to travel across boroughs for placements. The new 2-Care program will build on existing city contracts with both center-based and home-based child care pro- viders. Officials said children with disabilities and children living in shelters will be included in the expansion. Beyond NewYork City, Hochul announced $470 mil- lion to support universal prekindergarten statewide, with the goal of guaranteeing access for all 4-year-olds by 2028. She also unveiled a pilot program to expand full-day, year-round child care for infants and toddlers in selected counties outside the city. “We have to look out for everybody,” Hochul said. “There’s more to NewYork State than just NewYork City.” The governor framed the initiative as both a family- support policy and an economic necessity, arguing that affordable child care allows parents to remain in the workforce and supports businesses across the state. Advocates and providers welcomed the announce- ment. Sharon Levy, a senior vice president at the YMCA of Greater NewYork, said universal child care would help families stay in the city long-term. “My job doesn’t end in June and restart in September,” Levy said. “Year-round, affordable care is what families actually need.” Parents also spoke about the challenges of navigat- ing high costs and limited availability. Soyona Dawes, whose child attends 3-K at the Flatbush YMCA, said many families are forced into “impossible tradeoffs” between careers and child care. During a question-and-answer session, Hochul said the program would not be affected by the federal govern- ment’s recent move to withhold billions of dollars in child care and social service funding from NewYork. She said the state is preparing legal action to restore the funds. “This will not affect these commitments here today,” Hochul said. Mamdani said the first year of the 2-Care program will cost about $75 million, with costs rising as enrollment expands. State officials declined to project long-term costs beyond the next two budget cycles but said they are committed to making the program universal. “No one is asking for life in NewYork City to be easy,” Mamdani said. “They just want it to be a little less hard.” PHOTO:(NYC.GOV) PHOTO:LinkedIn Hochul, Mamdani Announce Free Child Care For 2-Year-Olds In New York City By a StaffWriter Gov. Kathy Hochul, left, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announce free child care for 2-year-olds in New York City on Jan. 9, 2026. Kris Kolluri