This Week in Albany – September 11, 2026

1. CSEA Priority Bill Signed 

On Wednesday, Governor Hochul signed A.10835-A (Griffin) into law, a bill that allows the Attorney General to seek damages from individuals fraudulently presenting themselves as a union representative. Fraudsters who attempt to impersonate unions can mislead workers and undermine representation. This law will ban false impersonation of employee organizations and protect the integrity of union communications.

2. Employer Pension Contributions

State Comptroller DiNapoli announced employer contribution rates for the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for State Fiscal Year 2027-28 will decrease from 17.6% to 17.3% of payroll for the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS). These rates are determined by investment performance, plan options selected by employers, and legislative reform to tiers 5 and 6.

Comptroller DiNapoli also announced that NYSLRS is 97% funded as of March 31, 2026, making it one of the best-funded public retirement systems in the country. This is why we support his re-election for State Comptroller this November.

3. Energy Rebate Checks

The state has begun issuing one-time energy rebate checks, which will provide qualifying New Yorkers with money to combat rising energy costs. Joint filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $200; joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive $150. Single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100. The rebates will be issued as advanced credit checks and will be mailed out between September and December.

4. CLARITY Act

On September 15, the U.S. Senate will hold an early test vote on the CLARITY Act, a bill that would expose public pensions to extreme volatility and unnecessary risk associated with cryptocurrency markets. The vote will not decide whether the bill passes – it decides whether the U.S. Senate will take up the bill for debate at all. Under Senate rules, that step needs 60 of the 100 senators to vote yes. Since Republicans hold 53 seats, at least seven Democrats or independents would need to join them for the bill to move forward. The U.S. House already passed the bill last year.

Crypto is an inherently volatile asset that has already caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to public pension funds. With this legislation, the cryptocurrency industry stands to benefit enormously while workers bear the financial risk. CSEA has sent a letter to our U.S. Senators urging them to vote NO on this measure, but we need your help! Tell Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to vote no on H.R. 3633 to protect our pensions.

5. Remembering September 11, 2001

Today marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a day that forever changed our nation and the lives of countless New Yorkers.

As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, CSEA remembers the members we lost that day and honors all those who responded in the days, weeks and months that followed. Dorothy Temple, Florence Cohen, Harry Goody, Marian “Marty”, Hrycak and Yvette Anderson.

We also recognize those who continue to live with the lasting effects of the attacks and reaffirm our commitment to never forget.

6. Next Week

“This Week in Albany” will resume publishing on a weekly basis week through Election Day. The next edition will be in your inbox on September 18.

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.