PLATTSBURGH — North Country leaders shared mixed reactions to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recently passed $268.1 billion Executive Budget for 2026-27.
Affordability, green energy mandates and Medicaid spending were some of the top concerns shared by local leaders after the budget was passed Thursday.
In a statement, State Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) said at its best, a state budget should “lay out a responsible framework for the financial direction of our state and meet the needs of our hardworking families, seniors and small business owners.”
“The massive $268 billion plan that passed this week after nearly two months of delays is decidedly not a budget at its best,” Stec said.
“Right now, two of the major issues facing New York state are escalating energy prices and out-of-control Medicaid spending. This budget pays lip service to the former and ignores the latter.
“Our residents are paying, on average, 70% above the national average for energy, and Medicaid spending is nearly 80% higher than the national average. This is unsustainable.”
However, Stec supports the slight reforms made to the CLCPA Green New Deal in the budget, which pauses electric school bus mandates for districts from 2027 to 2032.
Stec sees this measure as providing an “immediate benefit.” The $12.5 million allocation to the Village of Tupper Lake to address wastewater infrastructure needs is another.
“The Death Gamble protections for correction officers is something I’ve spent years advocating for, and its inclusion in the budget is welcome news. After years of outreach and negotiations, the reforms to address the Tier VI pension system will help public sector employees and local governments alike,” Stec said.
“While these are things I’ve fought for and are improvements upon the status quo, the bad far outweighs the good in this budget.
“At a time when New York state’s affordability climate and economic outlook lag nationally, Governor Hochul and Democrat legislative leaders’ exponential spending increase only exacerbates those conditions and fails to substantively improve our state.”
Assemblymember Matt Simpson (R-Adirondack) shared similar viewpoints, saying New Yorkers’ top priority right now is affordability, and this budget does not address that.
“Families are struggling with one of the highest tax burdens in the country and skyrocketing utility bills. Yet, instead of addressing these pressures, Albany continues to pass massive budgets that reflect a clear spending problem, not a revenue problem,” Simpson said.
“If we keep chasing New Yorkers out of the state with costly green mandates and excessive taxation, we will eventually create a real revenue problem. We have already lost over a million residents this decade alone.
“To remain economically competitive, we must stop shrinking our tax base and start keeping hardworking New Yorkers and businesses here.
“Our farmers are increasingly being boxed into leasing agreements with foreign energy giants simply to survive. While the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) continues to rubber-stamp large-scale projects, Albany refuses to allow responsible development of nuclear and natural gas resources that are right under our feet.”
Simpson said if state leaders were “truly serious” about affordability, they would “stop protecting green energy special interests.”
“And instead pursue practical solutions that protect open spaces, lower energy costs and account for local concerns,” he said.
“At best, this budget brings modest changes to flawed policies, bringing undue pressure to North Country households and communities, like walking back CLCPA mandates and delaying the EV bus mandate.
“At its worst, this budget is more of the same, with record spending, ignoring fundamental policy failures and more policy red tape than ever.”
As the energy crisis in New York persists, the budget also allotted $1 billion for one-time energy rebate checks to help provide relief.
The program will provide $200 to joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 to joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000.
However, with these measures, Stec said Hochul and the Democratic Legislative leaders have acknowledged what he has been saying for years: “The CLCPA Green New Deal has unrealistic goals and timelines, and its implementation is exacerbating the rise in energy costs.”
“Instead of substantively addressing this with a pause on the CLCPA mandates and a cost-benefit analysis, they’ve opted for milquetoast ‘reforms,’ a blue-ribbon commission and $150 gimmick rebate checks as solutions.”
Stec also drew issue with the budget funneling additional money into the Medicaid system and not taking action against the $20 billion the state loses annually in Medicaid payments to people not eligible to receive them.
“Instead of enacting basic oversight protocols to stop this preventable waste and abuse of taxpayer funds and ensuring that state Medicaid funds go to the eligible New Yorkers in need of these vital healthcare services, the governor and Democrat leaders continue to funnel tens of billions in additional funding into the system,” he said.
“The failure to rein in these costs just puts further financial strain on local governments, recipients, caregivers, taxpayers and the Medicaid system as a whole.
“In addition to energy and Medicaid costs, this state budget gives New York City Mayor (Zohran) Mamdani a taxpayer-funded golden parachute for his city’s fiscal mismanagement. It extends further sanctuary city and state protections to illegal immigrants at a time when it’s more apparent than ever that these policies are disastrous and unpopular.
“And just as important as what’s included in this budget is what’s not: urgently needed reforms to address the ongoing safety and officer staffing crises inside correctional facilities.”
Assemblymember Michael Cashman (D-Plattsburgh) said there is no perfect state budget.
“While there are many aspects of these budget bills I do not agree with, we cannot ignore the positives: Pausing the electric bus mandate, bringing $12.5 million to Tupper Lake’s water system for much-needed repairs, Death Gamble protections for our correction officers and beneficial changes to Tier 6,” Cashman said.
“Our region has a wide range of needs, and the work is far from over. I will continue to prioritize what benefits the people of the North Country as this legislative session wraps up and will continue to lift our region’s voice in the legislature.”