Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we remember and honor the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the lives that have been forever impacted. We also provide updates on 2027 health insurance rates, rural health transformation funding, recent actions by Governor Kathy Hochul, auto insurance reforms and more.  

Governor Kathy Hochul Honors Victims, Survivors, and First Responders of 9/11 

Today, Governor Kathy Hochul honored 9/11 victims, survivors, and first responders. “What began as a beautiful morning 25 years ago gave way to an unfathomable tragedy. New York will never forget those we lost, those who lived, and the families that were left behind,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we honor their memory and the courage of a city that held strong in the face of immense tragedy.”

Flags will be flown at half-staff, and state landmarks will be lit red, white and blue tonight. She also announced $2.2 million in funding for the 9/11 memorial and museum to expand free admission to every Sunday for New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul also signed three pieces of legislation to support victims and first responders.

• Extends the deadline to submit documentation with the state’s retirement systems and the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board detailing an individual’s participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and clean-up operations (A.11531 / S.10605)
• Extends the expansion of eligibility for World Trade Center death and disability benefits for members of New York’s National Guard and their beneficiaries (A.11538 / S.10650)
• Extends the 25-year presumptive eligibility period for certain retirement benefits for injuries or illnesses related to World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup (A.11213A/S.10085A)

She said, “None of us will ever forget the horrific attacks on our state and nation on that day in 2001 — nor will we ever forget the unflinching bravery and sacrifice of civilians and first responders whose lives were devastated. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, we sign these three laws to support and honor those whose lives were transformed on that terrible day.”

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide an overview of recent legislative activity, response to proposed health insurance rate increases, updates on temporary protected status decisions, the alleged plot to attack the Capitol and other items.  

Post-Session Governor Action on Bills 

Since the last scheduled day of the 2026 legislative session in June, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed 144 bills into law. She currently has 21 bills on her desk awaiting action, while an additional 467 bills have passed both houses and are awaiting delivery to her desk.

Hochul has generally taken action on legislation in thematic packages, signing multiple bills on related topics at the same time. Recent packages of bills signed have included bills addressing:

• Peace officer status for certain security officers and other personnel
• Real property tax exemptions
• Naming or dedicating sections of highways to individuals
• Local occupancy, hotel and motel taxes, including permits and authorizations
• School speed-zone camera demonstration programs
• Department of Environmental Conservation’s authority to manage certain marine life
• Alcohol licenses and exemptions for sales near or at certain premises

Greetings from Albany, NY  

Surprise! We’re sharing an additional edition of Capital Brief this week. We’ve adjusted our cadence for the remainder of the year and will be back in two weeks with our next edition.

In this edition, we provide an overview of the president’s executive order on childhood vaccinations, highlight a few of the state comptroller’s recent audits, and share updates on the pied-à-terre tax rollout, as well as the Essential Plan and Medicaid changes we’ve been keeping an eye on. 

Presidential Executive Order Related to Childhood Vaccination 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 10 calling for changes to the childhood vaccine recommendations. The order addresses the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children, reducing the number of diseases covered from 18 to 11, calls for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to be given as three separate shots once those products are domestically available and for childhood vaccines to be administered at separate medical visits. Experts warn that requiring more appointments could make it harder for families to keep up with vaccinations, increasing the risk that children miss or delay needed immunizations.

However, the executive order does not automatically change state immunization requirements. States establish their own requirements for school and child care enrollment, meaning any changes to federal recommendations would need to be considered separately at the state level.

In New York, Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “This executive order doesn’t change New York State’s immunization requirements or recommendations. To be clear: no new research was presented.” He added, “Here in New York, we will continue to be guided by the science.” The state’s broader immunization efforts include a statewide public media campaign encouraging families to keep children up to date on recommended vaccines.

National health experts have also raised concerns about the changes. Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called the executive order disheartening and dangerous, adding that, “There is no new evidence to justify significant changes to childhood immunization guidance.” New York State and New York City endorsed the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics childhood and adolescent immunization schedule earlier this year, while maintaining existing school immunization requirements (signed into law as Chapters 114 and 115 of 2026).

The World Health Organization similarly emphasized that its vaccination recommendations are based on more than 60 years of research conducted by international authorities and independent expert groups.

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide updates on a Senate Democratic leadership change, the new Medicaid Revalidation and Enrollment changes, the Department of Justice Olmstead guidance, and other important topics.  

New Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair 

Senator Shelley Mayer, a Democrat representing parts of Westchester County (D-37), has been named the new chair of the DSCC, effective today, Aug. 7.

She takes over the role from Senator Michael Gianaris, who has chaired the fundraising committee for more than a decade. Today marks Gianaris’s final day serving in the New York State Senate, though he will remain in an advisory role with the DSCC to help ensure a smooth transition. No announcement has been made yet about who will succeed him as Senate Deputy Majority Leader.

Mayer, who was elected to the State Senate in 2018, has chaired the Senate Education Committee since 2019. She also chairs the Ethics and Internal Governance Committee and serves on the Senate Elections, Finance, Judiciary, Labor, and Rules Committees. She previously served in the NYS Assembly from 2013 to 2017.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins praised Mayer’s appointment, saying, “Shelley is an exceptional leader, a proven fighter for the people, and someone who understands what it takes to win campaigns.”

Throughout her time in the Senate, Mayer has focused on expanding access to universal pre-kindergarten and affordable child care, strengthening public education, protecting reproductive rights, supporting immigrant communities, and advancing policies that benefit working families. Her legislative priorities have also included increasing school funding, expanding voter access, improving health care reimbursement rates, and strengthening maternal health care services.

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we cover updates from the June primary election, Medicaid changes, and other important topics. 

Primary Election Result Updates

Senate District 22 – Brooklyn 

This republican primary race remains undecided between Carl Caller and Bernard Vaiselberg. Unofficial results show Caller leading by seven votes, 513 to 506.

Vaiselberg has filed a lawsuit seeking a full manual recount, arguing the narrow margin requires one under NYS Election Law. He is also challenging the handling of ballots after alleging a scanner malfunction at a polling site in the 45th Assembly District, a claim the Board of Elections has rejected.

Assembly District 30 - Queens 

Patrick Martinez won the democratic primary by just seven votes. A local district leader and member of Queens Community Board 2, Martinez was backed by the Queens County Democratic Party. He defeated former NYPD detective Shamsul Haque and will face republican Brandon Castro in November. The winner will succeed Assemblymember Steven Raga, who lost his bid for the State Senate.

Assembly District 66 – Manhattan 

In the race to succeed retiring Assemblywoman Debrah Glick, attorney David Siffert won the democratic primary by 15 votes, defeating Jeannine Kiely, who was endorsed by Glick. If elected in November, Siffert would become the first openly nonbinary member of the New York State Legislature.

Assembly District 120 – Parts of Cayuga, Jefferson & Oswego Counties 

Tim Allers won the democratic primary by 28 votes, defeating Jim Cannon. He will face republican nominee Jim Weatherup, chair of the Oswego County Legislature, in November. The winner will succeed Assemblyman Will Barclay, the former Assembly Minority Leader, who did not seek re-election.

Assembly District 130 – Parts of Monroe & Wayne Counties 

Carl Fitzsimmons won the democratic primary by 54 votes, defeating Joe Lamana. Lamana says he will remain on the November ballot on a third-party line. The winner of the general election will succeed republican Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, who did not seek re-election.

Report on Enacted Budget and Financial Plan – State Fiscal Year 2027

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has released his analysis of New York’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.

The $277 billion spending plan represents a 7% increase from last year and includes additional funding for school aid, Medicaid, child care, and aid to NYC and local governments. The Comptroller’s report noted that healthcare and education is driving much of the spending, and the state is projected to spend more than $7 billion above its revenues this year, with cumulative budget gaps exceeding $31 billion over the next three fiscal years.

DiNapoli warns the state’s finances remain vulnerable to federal funding cuts and economic downturns, while local governments face growing pressure to provide essential services amid rising costs.

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Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide an update on primary election results, committee chairs and leadership changes, Medicaid news, and other important announcements.

Primary Election Results- Updates 

We’re still keeping an eye out for official results on a few of the close primary challenges. Thus far, one more race has been called. Assemblymember William Magnarelli (D, AD-129) lost the primary election to Democratic Socialist of America candidate Maurice “Mo” Brown. Assemblyman Magnarelli was elected to the Syracuse Common Council in 1995 and officially took office as an Assemblymember in 1999.

Mo Brown was born in 1992 and became interested in politics in 2015 after learning about Bernie Sanders and his presidential campaign. He gained experience in grassroots organizing and currently serves as the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee of the Onondaga County Legislature, playing a key role in budget oversight and financial decision-making.

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide a look at the unofficial primary results, major upsets, the forces shaping this year’s contests, and an overview of the Governor’s first wave of regulatory relief measures. 

Governor Hochul’s EXPRESS NY Regulatory Relief Initiative  

Last fall, Governor Hochul launched an initiative inviting state agencies and New Yorkers to identify regulations and rules that could be revised or eliminated to improve government services. The effort generated more than 4,000 submissions.

To date, her administration has announced 50 actions across 22 state agencies aimed at modifying or eliminating regulations to improve efficiency and reduce burdens on residents and businesses. Governor Hochul indicated that a second wave of regulatory relief measures is expected later this year.

According to the announcement, the reforms are projected to save New Yorkers tens of millions of dollars in fees and more than one million hours annually, with an estimated 1.5 million residents expected to benefit.

This wave of reforms is wide ranging, but centers on a few key themes:

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide a recap of the end of the NYS Legislative Session and a brief overview of the upcoming primary elections on June 23.

Scheduled Session Has Ended

The NYS Legislature has officially concluded its regular session, with the Senate adjourning at 1:30 a.m. last Friday morning and the Assembly following at 8:20 p.m. last Friday night. Although legislators could be called back to Albany for a Special Session, the evening of Friday, June 5th marked the close of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session!

With more than 22,000 bills introduced in this legislative session, there was a plethora of issues that could have been taken up and debated by the Legislature. The extended budget process delayed action on non-budget legislation for much of the session, leaving only six scheduled days for lawmakers to consider and advance the remaining legislative priorities after the budget was enacted. By the final week of session, there was a noticeable sense of frustration throughout the Capitol as members, staff, advocates, and stakeholders worked through a significant volume of legislation on a highly compressed timeline. Many issues that would normally be debated and negotiated over several weeks were ultimately resolved in a matter of days.

Among the session’s most significant legislation that passed both houses this year were constitutional amendments to modify the State’s redistricting process; a one-year moratorium on the construction of new AI data centers; a five-year moratorium on the sale of toys incorporating AI powered chatbots; the Health Information Privacy Act which would protect digital healthcare information by adding additional rights and protections related to the sale and use of consumers’ health information; and a ban on surveillance pricing, which would prohibit companies from using consumers’ personal data to set individual real-time prices.

Several closely watched proposals, including the 340B Prescription Drug Anti-Discrimination Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, did not advance before adjournment.

Greetings from Albany, NY  

In this edition, we provide an update on the enacted NYS budget and what to expect during the last week of session.

We Have a Budget 

Just shy of midnight on Wednesday, the $286.5 billion New York State budget passed both houses of the Legislature. The Governor has already signed into law the Article VII legislation, while the remaining appropriations measures are on her desk awaiting signature, with action due by June 9.

This is the latest budget since 2010, leaving the Legislature with just six scheduled session days to address remaining priorities (four days after today).

Overall, the budget delivers major investments in education and infrastructure, while advancing auto insurance reforms, expanding child care access and affordable housing initiatives, and strengthening worker and immigrant protections. It also includes enhancements to public safety, changes to the Tier 6 pension system, and a new tax on nicotine pouches. In addition, it enacts a NYC pied-à-terre tax, pushes back the timeline for key climate measures and objectives, and delays the electric school bus mandate, among other provisions.

Governor Hochul stated, “This Budget includes sweeping changes to lower costs, enhance public safety, protect our communities from federal overreach, and invest in the future of New York families.” 

Several high-profile policy issues emerged as major sticking points throughout this year’s negotiations. Here’s where each issue ultimately landed:

• Immigration protections
  • Prohibits formal working agreements between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local law enforcement, allows New Yorkers to pursue claims for constitutional rights violations, and designates sensitive locations where ICE cannot enter without a signed warrant;
• Auto insurance reforms
  • Prohibits insurers from using consumer data like zip code, education level and homeownership to set individual premiums, redefines serious injury, among other provisions;
• Housing and infrastructure environmental quality review process
  • Streamlines the review process and exempts certain entities from the review process;
• Modifications to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA)
  • Delays the deadline to implement required regulations to reach designated climate goals;
•  Pied-à-terre tax in NYC
  • Imposes a surcharge on luxury second homes valued at $5 million or more and condominiums valued at $1 million or more;
• Tier 6 pension reform
  • Allows teachers statewide to retire at age 58 after 30 years of service instead of 63, reduces pension contribution requirements for state and public workers, and increases the amount of overtime that can count toward retirement benefits.

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