1. Election Day
Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3! You can still vote early through Sunday, November 1. Now is the time to make your plan to vote and encourage your friends, family, and fellow members to do the same. Let’s finish strong and make sure everyone is ready to vote!
Make sure to check your polling location and review CSEA’s endorsed candidates before going to the polls!
2. CSEA Endorsement Highlight: Governor Kathy Hochul
CSEA is proud to endorse Governor Kathy Hochul for reelection.
Hochul has a proven record of delivering results for CSEA members. She has enacted significant reforms to Tier 6 three separate times, increased funding to local governments and state agencies, delivered the most generous state contract in decades, and much more.
With a strong partner in the governor’s office, CSEA members can keep building on these wins. No one agrees with any governor on everything, but endorsements are about the record, and Governor Hochul’s record speaks for itself. She has stood with us, and now it’s our turn to stand with her.
See all of CSEA’s endorsements on our website.
3. Local Sales Tax Receipts
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced this week that local sales tax collections from January to September 2026 totalted $19.6 billion, up 7.6% over last year. Increased year-over-year growth was seen in every region of the state. This is positive news for local governments, who rely on these revenue streams to fund public services and CSEA members’ jobs.
4. School Lunch Program
Last week, Comprtoller Tom DiNapoli published a report showing that the provisions of H.R.1 restricting eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are likely to reduce federal aid for New York’s universal free school meal program. In response, this week, Governor Hochul announced that the state will fill in the gaps left by the federal government and fully fund the program. This commitment ensures that all K-12 students will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income.
5. Unemployment Insurance Shutdown
The New York State Department of Labor is shutting down its unemployment insurance system starting November 2, at 5:00 p.m. to replace the 50-year-old processing platform. The system will remain offline for 9 to 12 days. All online and phone unemployment services, including filing new claims or certifying for weekly benefits, will be unavailable during this period. Payments missed during the shutdown will be issued retroactively once the new platform is live.
For more information, visit the Department of Labor’s website.
6. Support CSEA’s Endorsed Candidates
Below is a list of events through Election Day. Please click on the link to register.
Region 1
Labor Walk for Rory Lancman
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: 68 Main St
Port Washington, NY 11050
Labor Walk for Dan Losquadro
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: IBEW 1049
100 Corporate Drive
Holtsville, NY 11742
Region 2
NYC Labor GOTV Brooklyn Day of Action! · New York State AFL-CIO
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 12pm
Location: Lenox Road Baptist Church
1356 Nostrand Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Region 3
Date/Time: Sun, Nov 1st at 10am
Location: 81 NY-59
Nanuet, NY 10954
Region 4
Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 24th at 10am
Location: 411 State Rte 3
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Region 5
Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: Canton, NY 13617
Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: Ogdensburg Public Library
312 Washington St
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Labor Walk for John Mannion, Chris Ryan, and Ian Phillips
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: USW District 4 Office
812 State Fair Blvd
Syracuse, NY 13209
Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien & Jonathan Lipe
Date/Time: Tues, Nov 3rd at 9am
Location: 1721 Black River Blvd. N
Rome, NY 13440
Labor Walk for Blake Gendebien
Date/Time: Tues, Nov 3rd at 5pm
Location: Canton, NY 13617
Region 6
Date/Time: Sat, Oct 31st at 10am
Location: 40 La Riviere Dr
Buffalo, NY 14202
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. A summary of the FY 2027 New York State Budget is available, here.
30/55 for Unified Court System Court Officers
Panic Buttons for Social Services Caseworkers
25-Year Retirement for Emergency Dispatchers
Full Pay and Benefits for Injured Probation Officers
Expanded Work Zone Camera Program