1. Hochul Announces Budget Agreement
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced an agreement on several high-profile budget items this week, including:
- $340 million to fund free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 students.
-
A bell-to-bell ban on student smartphone use at schools.
- Reforms to the state’s criminal evidence discovery laws.
- A strengthening of involuntary commitment laws.
- Inflation refund checks of $200 for individuals and $400 for families.
The agreement also includes $2 million in staffing for the Office of Mental Health, $110 million to build and renovate child care facilities, and $50 in additional Aid to Municipalities. Despite the governor’s announcement, negotiations on other budget items continue and we don’t expect a final agreement until at least next week.
The legislature passed its 10th budget extender of the session on Thursday, which ensures state payroll and services are funded through next Wednesday. They’ll need to either pass a final budget or another extender by Wednesday to cover state expenses, including pay for state employees.
2. CSEA Bills Make Progress
Several CSEA priority bills moved out of committee this week, including:
- A.5912 (Bores): Requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews with employees who resign or retire. This would allow agencies to collect data that can help improve recruitment and retention.
- S.4929 (Brouk): Aligns staff-to-child ratios for home-based childcare providers with those already in place for childcare centers. This would allow CSEA VOICE members to care for additional children.
- S.5997 (Gallivan): Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Stephen Ebling, a Thruway Maintenance Supervisor and CSEA member who was killed while working on Interstate 90 in 2024.
CSEA will be working to advance these bills and others before the end of the State Legislative Session in June.
3. Federal Budget Updates
President Trump released his FY2026 budget proposal today, covering the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The proposal calls for $163 billion, or about 20 percent, in cuts to domestic programs, while boosting funding for the military and border security. This proposal is in addition to the cuts and changes being made through the reconciliation process.
This week, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives began reviewing and amending their budget and reconciliation bills. However, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is tasked with making $880 billion in cuts to health care programs like Medicaid, delayed its markups until the week of May 12.
4. AFSCME Virtual Events
AFSCME is holding virtual events next week to give members the opportunity to get organized against federal policies that threaten our union. The sessions will provide specific information about what’s happening in each sector below and what you can do to fight back:
- Wednesday, May 7, 8:00 p.m. ET: Corrections https://mobilize.us/s/lKgNiX
- Thursday, May 8, 8:00 p.m. ET: Health Care https://mobilize.us/s/4WcupM
- Thursday, May 15, 8:00 p.m. p ET: Higher Education https://mobilize.us/s/RzDg76
5. Next Week
The State Legislature will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They must pass either a budget or another extender by Wednesday, May 7.
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 the summary of CSEA’s work during the 2023-2024 legislative session.
Tier 6 Reform: |
Updating Civil Service Exams: |
Counting Provisional Time Towards Promotions: |
|||
|
|
 |
|
|||
| Employee Notice of Records Disclosure: |
Virtual Training for CPS Workers: | Minimum Age & Education Requirements for Exams: |
|||
|
|
|
