ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul RALLIEd WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO “CRACK DOWN AGAINST RETAIL THEFT.”  

SHE HIGHLIGHTS HER $45 MILLION BUDGET PLAN ON THE ISSUE INCLUDING $25 MILLION TO ESTABLISH A RETAIL THEFT TEAM WITHIN THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE.  

THE GOVERNOR SAid RETAIL THEFT POSES A REAL THREAT TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.  

“I’m not going to stand by and watch brazen thieves wreak havoc in their shops and dismantle, destroy everything they’ve built,” she said. 

THE GOVERNOR IS ALSO PUSHING FOR LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ASSAULTING RETAIL WORKERS.