Page 5 - This Year in Albany 2025

STATE OPERATIONS
CIVIL SERVICE
Extends the New York Helps Program through
June 30, 2026. This extension is also applicable
to local governments that have opted-in to this
program.
Waives state civil service exam fees through
December 31, 2027, and authorizes localities to
waive civil services fees during the same time.
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Provides SUNY Downstate University Hospital &
Medical Center with $100 million in operating
assistance and $450 million in capital funding.
This is in addition to the $300 million in capital
funding provided last year.
Provides SUNY Upstate with $450 million in
capital funding to help build a new emergency
department.
Provides a $114 million increase in operating aid
to SUNY State-Operated Campuses.
04
Introduces an optional lag pay program for
state employees hired on or after July 1, 2026.
This is an interim measure as the state
works to fully eliminate the lag payroll for
new employees by 2030.
The program gives new state employees the
option to receive an advance payment
between the employee’s start date and
first paycheck.
This advance will be repaid over the first 14
pay periods.