1. State Revenue Consensus
The State Assembly, Senate, and Governor have come to agreement on projections for state revenues. The consensus revenue estimates for FY 2026 and FY 2027 totaled $700 million to $800 million above the Executive Budget estimate. These additional revenues may provide meaningful resources to support programs CSEA members rely on and advance priority initiatives such as Tier 6 reform.
2. Supreme Court Halts NY-11 Redistricting
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme court ordered a pause on all efforts to redraw New York’s 11th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Nicole Malliotakis. The court will continue to consider the facts of the case, but the district will not be redrawn ahead of the elections held later this year. This decision comes after two state courts found that the district’s current map is unconstitutional.
3. Federal Labor Rights
On Wednesday, several unions representing federal workers, including AFSCME and the AFL-CIO, filed suit against the Trump Administration for their proposed regulation to create the “Schedule Policy/Career” designation for federal employees. This regulation would allow the administration to reclassify about 50,000 federal employees under a new category where agencies could “swiftly remove employees…without lengthy procedural hurdles.”
This is the most recent effort of the administration to undercut collective bargaining rights and reduce the federal workforce. Since taking office, President Trump has signed Executive Orders stripping more than one million federal employees of their collective bargaining rights, moved to terminate existing collective bargaining agreements with several federal agencies, instituted a hiring freeze and large-scale reductions in force, threatened imminent mass firings of federal workers during the government shutdown, and more.
4. Farm Bill Advances
Every five years, Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill, a sweeping legislative package that governs the nation’s food and agricultural systems, including funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP). This week, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture voted to advance a version of the bill that would allow states to privatize SNAP eligibility functions, work currently performed by CSEA members in New York. CSEA is pushing back against this provision, as well as the bill’s failure to reverse deep SNAP cuts enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation will now proceed to the House floor for a full vote.
5. Take Action on CSEA Priorities
As budget negotiations continue, lawmakers are making decisions that will directly impact CSEA members’ jobs, safety, and the services they provide every day. Now is the time to make sure your voice is part of that conversation. Click the links below to send a message to your legislators on CSEA’s budget priorities:
- Fix Tier 6: Reduce employee contribution rates for Tier 6 members.
- Keep Highway Workers Safe: Expand the work zone camera program to all state-owned highways.
- Protect DMV Employees from Assault: Increase the penalties for assaulting DMV employees.
- Support Child Care Providers: Lower the age of supervision for infants in home-based settings.
- Protect Caseworkers: Provide social services caseworkers with panic buttons.
- Fair Retirement for Emergency Dispatchers: Provide 911 and emergency dispatchers with the ability to retire after 25-years of service.
- Improve Pensions for Court Officers: Allow Court Officers and Peace Officers employed by the Unified Court System to retire after 30 years of service at age 55.
- Stand up for Retirees: Reject the governor’s proposal to eliminate the state’s IRMAA reimbursement.
6. Volunteer for Tom DiNapoli
New York’s public employees and retirees deserve a Comptroller who will fight every day to protect their hard-earned pensions. CSEA has proudly endorsed Tom DiNapoli because he has done that for decades, safeguarding the retirement fund and making sure your retirement security is never left to chance.
Now it’s our turn to step up. Whether you can knock on doors, make phone calls, talk to coworkers, or help spread the word online, every action matters.
Sign up to help re-elect Tom DiNapoli as New York State Comptroller!
7. Tier 6 Rally
On Sunday, March 8, unions will come together at in Albany for a statewide Fix Tier 6 Rally! Hosted by NYS AFL-CIO, CSEA is supporting the event alongside other labor affiliates.
Where: MVP Arena in Albany.
When: Doors open at 10:30 a.m., with the rally running from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Attendees will not be admitted without a ticket
Registrations are now closed. If you registered to attend, you should have received your ticket via email. If you have not, no worries. When you arrive, physical tickets will be available for CSEA members at the HELP desk at the top of the escalators.
8. Next Week
The State Legislature will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
9. 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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