This Week in Albany – October 16, 2026

1. Social Security Increase

The Social Security Administration has announced that Social Security beneficiaries will see a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment beginning in January 2027. This means that on average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by $75 per month. Additional information about 2027 Social Security changes can be found here.

2. National Move Over Day

Saturday, October 17, is National Move Over Day! This day raises awareness about “Slow Down, Move Over” laws that protect workers, emergency personnel, and motorists on the side of the road. In New York, the law requires drivers to move over for ANY vehicle stopped on a roadside. If you can’t move over, you must slow down. Despite this law, workplace danger continues to be a daily occurrence for the CSEA members who maintain our state’s roads and highways. CSEA will continue to fight for stronger protections for these workers.

3. CSEA Endorsement Highlight: Blake Gendebien

CSEA proudly endorses Blake Gendebien for the open seat in Congressional District 21, spanning 15 counties across the North Country and Mohawk Valley. A lifelong North Country resident, Gendebien is a dairy farmer, small business owner, and community leader who has campaigned across the district since 2024 with a focus on affordability. In Congress, Blake will stand with union members to champion good-paying jobs, protect essential federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare, and strengthen rural health care.

See all of CSEA’s endorsements on our website.

We will have many opportunities over the next several weeks for you to support CSEA’s endorsed candidates! There are several events taking place in the next week:

Region 1

Labor Walk for Seila Bynoe, Judy Griffin, and Cynthia Nuñez

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: Lynbrook LIRR Station
10 Saperstein Plaza
Lynbrook, NY 11563

Rally for Tish James and Tom DiNapoli

Date/Time: Wed, Oct 21st at 4pm
Location: 1505 Kellum Place

Mineola, NY 11501

Region 2

Labor Walk for Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Chris McCreight

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: 705 Forest Ave
Staten Island, NY 10310

Labor Walk for Cait Conley
*NYC LABOR IS HEADING TO THE HUDSON VALLEY!*
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: 595 W Hartsdale Ave
White Plains, NY 10607

NYC VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP HERE 

Region 3

Labor Walk for Cait Conley

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: 595 W Hartsdale Ave
White Plains, NY 10607

Labor Walk for Riley/Hinchey/Barrett
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: 227 Warren St
Hudson, NY 12534

Region 4

Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 3:45pm
Location: 411 State Rte 3
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 11am
Location: Schine Memorial Hall
40 N Main St. 2nd Floor
Gloversville, NY 12078

Region 5

Labor Walk for John Mannion, Chris Ryan, and Ian Phillips

Date/Time: Sat, Oct 17th at 10am
Location: USW District 4 Office
812 State Fair Blvd
Syracuse, NY 13209

Labor Walk for Chris Ryan

Date/Time: Sat. Oct. 17, 9:30am

Location:  Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 73

705 E Seneca St.

Oswego, NY 13126

5. Voting Deadlines 

Make sure you’re registered to vote! You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your county board or elections. Applications are due by October 24.

You can also apply for an absentee or early mail ballot online, by mail, or in person through October 24. Completed mail and absentee ballots must be postmarked or received by your county board of elections by November 3. 

Early voting runs from October 24 through November 1. Election Day is November 3.

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. A summary of the FY 2027 New York State Budget is available here.