2026 Legislative Program

As New York enters 2026, counties face unprecedented challenges driven by federal policy changes, expanding state mandates, and aging infrastructure. At the same time, counties remain committed to protecting local taxpayers while maintaining the essential services that keep communities safe, healthy, and economically strong.

NYSAC’s 2026 Legislative Program outlines the priorities counties are advancing to meet this moment. Grounded in partnership, efficiency, and innovation, the program sets a clear agenda to make New York more affordable, modernize outdated systems, invest in critical infrastructure, and reform broken policies that drive up local costs.

The program focuses on practical, solution-oriented policies that protect taxpayers while strengthening essential services, including:

• Protecting counties from federal cost shifts to prevent billions in new costs from falling on local property taxpayers
• Preserving the Medicaid cap to safeguard counties from unsustainable mandated healthcare costs
• Supporting counties through federal policy changes with state funding, technical assistance, and modernized systems
• Modernizing outdated procurement laws to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and save taxpayer dollars
• Expanding the county workforce by addressing staffing shortages in public health, emergency services, and human services
• Expanding the County Partnerships Program to unlock economic development, housing, and infrastructure investment statewide
• Investing in water infrastructure through predictable, dedicated state support to protect public health
• Reforming Raise the Age funding to provide predictable, upfront support without penalizing local taxpayers
• Fixing the competency restoration system to reduce costs and ensure appropriate mental health treatment

The Legislative Program serves as NYSAC’s guiding policy roadmap for the year ahead—reflecting a century of bipartisan leadership and a continued commitment to collaboration with the Governor and Legislature to build a stronger, more sustainable New York.