1. Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget
This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her $260 billion Executive Budget proposal. Due to higher-than-expected tax revenues, the plan projects a $3.5 billion surplus in fiscal year 2027 and includes several positive items for CSEA members. Highlights include:
- $1.7 billion in new investments to work towards achieving universal childcare in New York State.
- $39.3 billion in school aid, a $1.6 billion increase over last year
- $100 million in operating funding for SUNY Downstate Hospital to help ensure its continued operation.
- $174 million in new support for SUNY state-operated campuses.
- Maintain full funding for SUNY Community Colleges. Without this action, these community colleges would face a $61 million loss in formula aid due to enrollment declines.
- $330 million in new operating funds for safety-net hospitals.
- $50 million in additional assistance for cities, towns, and villages.
The budget also includes legislative proposals CSEA is prioritizing this year, including:
- Authorizing the use of body scanning technology to screen for contraband in juvenile detention facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services.
- Expanding the work zone camera program to include roadways beyond “controlled access” highways.
- Increasing penalties for assaulting DMV Representatives and License Examiners, highway workers, as well as other transportation titles.
- Creating a new offense for intruding into an active work zone.
A full summary of the proposal is available, here. In addition to these proposals, CSEA will be focused on securing meaningful reforms to Tier 6 in this budget. A full list of CSEA’s priorities for this year can be found on our website.
2. Retirement Fund Update
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an independent review confirming the New York State Common Retirement Fund is managed with strong oversight, transparency and accountability. The report found the fund is managed solely for the benefit of more than 1.2 million members, retirees and beneficiaries, and is 92.2% funded as of March 31, 2025—among the highest-funded plans in the nation. The findings reinforce DiNapoli’s record as a trusted steward of CSEA members’ retirement security.
3. Federal Funding Under Review
The Trump administration has ordered all federal agencies, except the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, to review federal funding provided to 14 Democratic states, including New York. Federal agencies are tasked with compiling data on grants, loans and other federal funds provided to the State and local governments, along with colleges, universities, and nonprofits. President Trump said in a press conference on Tuesday that he intends to cut funding to these states.
4. Redistricting Court Decision
This week, a state judge in Manhattan ruled that New York’s 11th Congressional District, currently represented by Nicole Malliotakis, is unconstitutional and must be redrawn. This decision came after four Staten Island residents filed a lawsuit in October, arguing that the congressional seat diluted the voting power of Black and Latino residents in the district, in violation of the state constitution. The ruling will impact the races for both the 11th and 10th Congressional Districts, the latter of which is represented by Dan Goldman.
5. Next Week
The State Legislature is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
6. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our legislative successes. Click the icons below for informational documents that you can print, share, and post on social media to spread the news. You can also check out our summary of the 2025 legislative session.
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