New York Governor Kathy Hochul is under fire for refusing to disclose how much taxpayer money is being spent on a fuzzy, cartoon-like mascot dubbed “Frankie Focus.” The character, part of a campaign to promote cellphone bans in public schools, debuted last week at a Brooklyn middle school. Critics across the political spectrum are blasting the initiative as wasteful and “tone-deaf.”
While Hochul’s office confirmed that “Frankie Focus” is part of a $13.5 million public awareness campaign, officials would not say exactly how much was spent to create, costume, and promote the mascot. The campaign includes $4 million directed to the New York City Department of Education. Despite repeated requests, no itemized budget for “Frankie” has been released.
Educators and parents alike are pushing back. Queens high school teacher Moshe Spern said the approach misses the mark. “We all agree that the cellphone ban would be great for students and learning,” Spern told the New York Post. “But having a silly cartoon character be the focus of the promotion loses the target audience: middle school and high school students.”
Parents also voiced frustration. Yiatin Chu said, “The use of a mascot doesn’t appeal to parents and certainly not high school students. It doesn’t appeal to me.” Another parent echoed those concerns, saying, “I don’t know any 13- to 18-year-old who could be convinced with a mascot like that.”
Despite the backlash, Hochul’s office has stood by the mascot. A spokesman jokingly told reporters, “Frankie just kind of showed up at our office last week and did this perfect double backflip, which was pretty wild.” He added that the character is unaffiliated with any brand and is committed to discouraging smartphone use in schools.
The initiative is part of Hochul’s broader push to ban cellphone use from the opening bell to the final dismissal. While many support the policy itself, the mascot’s rollout has raised serious questions about government spending priorities and the administration’s ability to connect with its constituents.
Calls for transparency are growing, with critics demanding Hochul release a full breakdown of how the $13.5 million was allocated—including how much went into producing “Frankie Focus.” Until then, taxpayers are left wondering how much they’re paying for a puppet.
