1. Sticking Points in the State Budget
Governor Hochul and the State Legislature remain divided on several high-profile issues in State Budget negotiations, including:
- Changes to emissions mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
- Easing environmental regulations to accelerate and lower the cost of housing production.
- Proposals to reduce the cost of auto insurance.
- Prohibiting protests within 25 feet of houses of worship.
- Funding to close New York City’s $5.4 billion budget gap.
While CSEA has not taken a position on these issues, they have arisen as critical sticking points that may delay a final budget agreement beyond the April 1 deadline.
If the budget is not passed by April 1, the Governor and Legislature will need to approve a budget extender to keep state government operating and to ensure paychecks are issued on time. After the start of the new fiscal year, the first paychecks to be issued will be for the Institution payroll on Thursday, April 2. For those checks to be processed and delivered as scheduled, either a final state budget or a budget extender must be enacted by noon on Tuesday, March 31.
2. Take Action on CSEA’s Budget Priorities
Write a letter to your legislators and Governor Hochul on some of CSEA’s budget priorities! We need to keep the pressure on to ensure that these proposals are included in the final budget:
- Support for reforms to Tier 6. 📝
- Authorizing the use of body scanning technology to screen for contraband in OCFS juvenile detention facilities. 📝
- Expanding the work zone camera program to include additional state highways, increasing penalties for failing to abide by the State’s Move Over Law, and increasing penalties for speeding in a work zone. 📝
- Increasing penalties for assaulting DMV Representatives, License Examiners, and highway workers. 📝
- Providing 911 and emergency dispatchers with the ability to retire after 25 years of service. 📝
3. Wall Street Bonuses
At the end of last year, Wall Street bonuses reached a record $49.2 billion, up 9% from the previous year. The tax levied on these bonuses is a critical revenue stream for the state. In fact, in the 24-25 fiscal year, Wall Street accounted for 19.4% of the state’s total tax collections. As a result of this increased bonuses, Comptroller DiNapoli projects an additional $199 million in state income tax revenue compared to the previous year.
4. No Kings Rallies
This Saturday, CSEA members and retirees will join No Kings Day to speak out against policies that favor billionaires while working families face rising costs. For CSEA, the rally is about defending union rights — organizing, collective bargaining and securing a better future. When we stand together, we show our voices matter. It isn’t too late to sign up using this link to AFSCME’s event page.
5. Next Week
The State Legislature will meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The final State Budget is due by Wednesday April 1.
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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