1. DOCCS Announces Facility Closures
The Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has announced closure and consolidation at two facilities. Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County will close on March 11, 2026, but remain in ready status should the agency need it in the future. Some staff will stay on site for maintenance. No layoffs are expected.
Additionally, Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County will consolidate operations from with no staff impact. Inmate movement and bed reconfiguration will occur in the coming weeks.
2. Elected Officials Not Running
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees, announced she will not seek re-election in 2026. Pheffer Amato has represented parts of Brooklyn in the 23rd Assembly District since 2017.
Additionally, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who represents parts of Brooklyn in New York’s 7th Congressional District, will not seek re-election in 2026. Rep. Velazquez has served in Congress for 34 years.
3. OSC Posts Pension Returns
The estimated value of the New York State Common Retirement Fund was $291.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of State Fiscal Year 2026. Fund investments returned an estimated 4.13 percent for the quarter and 9.82 percent for the first half of the fiscal year. This is well above the fund’s long-term expected rate of return, which is 5.9 percent.
In a statement, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said, “Our diversification strategy, long-term perspective and effective management strongly positions the Fund to ensure that state and local government employees will receive the retirement benefits they have earned, even amid any market fluctuations.”
4. Artificial Intelligence Executive Order
President Trump is expected to sign an Executive Order (EO) that would override state-level Artificial Intelligence (AI) laws. The EO would:
- Direct the U.S. Attorney General to begin challenging state laws that regulate AI.
- Direct the U.S. Department of Commerce to withhold federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds from states that enforce AI regulations. BEAD is a more than $42 billion program that supports state efforts to expand broadband infrastructure.
This EO is a direct threat to New York, where Governor Hochul has taken lead in enacting some of the country’s strongest AI safeguards to protect kids, workers, and consumers. Earlier this year, she signed legislation to protect employees of state agencies and public authorities from displacement due to AI. A related bill is awaiting action by the Governor to extend protections to employees in SUNY, local governments, and school districts. If this EO is issued, these protections would be at risk.
5. Department of Education
On Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced a plan to continue dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The proposal would transfer several of DOE’s key responsibilities to other federal agencies. Most notably, Elementary and Secondary Education and Postsecondary Education programs, which include federal support for K–12 schools, higher education funding, and grant programs, would move to the U.S. Department of Labor. Shifting these duties away from DOE aligns with President Trump’s stated goal of ultimately closing the agency. DOE has already laid off about 2,000 employees since January, which is roughly half of its workforce.
6. Happy Thanksgiving
Sending warm wishes for a happy and restful Thanksgiving to all CSEA members and their families. Because of the holiday, there will be no newsletter next week. Regular updates will resume the following week.
7. 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 2025-2026 New York State Budget.
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