Plugged In @ Hinman Straub

February 20, 2026

What’s Inside

Governor Announces Funds to Help Address NYC Fiscal Challenges
Remaining Joint Budget Hearing Schedule
30-Day Amendments to the Executive Budget Released
State Comptroller Issues Report on FY 2027 Proposed Executive Budget
Governor Announces Additional Financial Assistance for Municipalities
Appellate Court Rules In Favor of CD-11 Redistricting
In the News
Coming Up

Governor Announces Funds to Help Address NYC Fiscal Challenges

In light of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s voiced concerns about New York City’s fiscal challenges, this week, Governor Hochul announced that the state will allocate an additional $1.5 billion in operating expenses over two years to help address those concerns.

This additional funding includes $510 million in recurring funding targeted towards costs that had shifted from the state to New York City under prior administrations, including about $300 million for youth programming, a restoration of $150 million in sales tax receipts that would have otherwise been retained by the state, and $60 million for public health. The remaining $500 million will be targeted to shared priorities to be determined in subsequent discussions.

Governor Hochul said:

A strong New York City means a stronger New York State. This investment protects services and puts the city on stable financial footing. New Yorkers expect the state and the city to work together, and I’m proud to partner with the Mayor to deliver for working families.

Mayor Mamdani said:

Working New Yorkers did not create this budget crisis and they should not be the ones to pay for it. After years of staggering fiscal mismanagement under the previous administration, our city deserves responsible and collaborative leadership. I am heartened by this budgetary progress and Governor Hochul’s partnership at this critical moment. This is what it looks like to begin a new, productive, and fair relationship between City Hall and Albany – focused on delivering for working New Yorkers.

Joint Budget Hearing Schedule

Joint budget hearings continue to take place until February 26. This week, the Legislature held three budget hearings: Transportation, Mental Hygiene, and Human Services. The schedule moving forward is as follows:

Higher Education: Tuesday, February 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Labor/Workforce Development: Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Housing: Wednesday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Economic Development/Arts: Thursday, February 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Taxes: Thursday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Please note that requests to testify must be submitted using a Hearing Request Form.

30-Day Amendments to the Executive Budget Released

On February 19, Governor Hochul released formal amendments to the 2027 Fiscal Year Executive Budget, referred to as “30-Day Amendments.” The amendments can be viewed here.

As part of the next steps of the formal budget process, the Senate and Assembly are expected to release their respective one-house budgets within the first two weeks of March. These one-house budget bills are typically composed of each house’s budget priorities and positions with respect to the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal. Once released, the Governor and both houses will work to resolve differences between their respective plans before the April 1 deadline for a timely Enacted Budget.

State Comptroller Issues Report on FY 2027 Proposed Executive Budget

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has issued a report on the FY 2027 Proposed Executive Budget. The report warns that the trajectory of projected state spending is estimated to increase at a rate faster than expected revenues, creating cumulative out-year budget gaps estimated by the Division of Budget (DOB) to total $27.5 billion through SFY 2030. Actions taken in Washington, including federal reductions in aid, create additional fiscal strain that is likely to affect the state’s economy, finances, and safety net.

More information is available in the report here.

Comptroller DiNapoli said:

The Executive Budget for the upcoming state fiscal year comes at a time of unusual fiscal uncertainty, caused largely by federal policies that have injected unnecessary volatility into the state and national economies, and disruptive changes in the state’s relationship with the federal government. These policies will result in lost funding and increased costs to the state, and could deal a devastating blow to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers with the loss of health coverage, nutritional assistance, safety net protections and more. As negotiations commence, policymakers need to proceed with caution as they work on balancing the budget, improving affordability and maintaining vital services for New Yorkers. I oppose the proposals to erode contract oversight by my office for billions in spending of taxpayer money. Independent oversight and broader competition in the procurement process are not obstacles but are essential checks that ensure public funds are spent responsibly and fairly.

Governor Announces Additional Financial Assistance for Municipalities

Following her announcement of additional funds to assist New York City’s financial challenges, this week, Governor Hochul also announced that the state will allocate an additional $150 million in financial assistance for municipalities outside New York City to assist in relieving immediate fiscal stress.

This additional funding includes a $100 million increase in Temporary Municipal Assistance, which will triple the amount of funding that all cities, towns, and villages outside New York City receive from this aid stream. The funding is distributed proportionally to existing Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding, with the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers each receiving the maximum amount of an additional $10 million.

The Governor also set aside an additional $30 million for the City of Buffalo, bringing the total new investment for the City of Buffalo to $40 million. Additionally, the Governor is also including $20 million for fiscally distressed local governments. These new investments build upon the previous Executive Budget proposals, where the Governor included an additional $50 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance to help local governments minimize the burden on taxpayers.

Regional breakdowns of total Temporary Municipal Assistance for cities, towns, and villages included in Governor Hochul’s FY 2027 Executive Budget proposal include:

Capital Region: $17.2 million
Central New York: $20.4 million
Finger Lakes: $18.1 million
Long Island: $6.3 million
Mid-Hudson: $31.2 million
Mohawk Valley: $13.0 million
North Country: $4.0 million
Southern Tier: $8.2 million
Western New York: $31.7 million

Updated total TMA funding for FY 2027 includes:

City of Buffalo: $15 million
City of Rochester: $15 million
City of Syracuse: $15 million
City of Yonkers: $15 million
City of Niagara Falls: $6.2 million
City of Utica: $5.6 million
City of Albany: $4.4 million
City of Troy: $4.3 million
City of Schenectady: $3.9 million
City of Binghamton: $3.2 million
City of Rome: $3.2 million
City of Mount Vernon: $2.5 million
City of New Rochelle: $2.2 million
City of Lackawanna: $2.2 million
City of White Plains: $1.9 million
City of Auburn: $1.7 million
City of Newburgh: $1.6 million
City of Watertown: $1.6 million
City of Jamestown: $1.6 million
City of Elmira: $1.6 million
City of North Tonawanda: $1.5 million
City of Poughkeepsie: $1.5 million
City of Long Beach: $1.1 million

More information can be found here.

Appellate Court Rules In Favor of CD-11 Redistricting

The Appellate Division has ruled in favor of Democrats aiming to modify the 11^th Congressional District, which includes Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The five-member panel unanimously instructed the Independent Redistricting Commission to revise New York’s 11th District.

Current CD-11 Rep. Nicole Malliotakis reacted to the decision, expressing, “I anticipate the Supreme Court will intervene in this matter to maintain the rule of law.” This ruling is expected to be the final determination from New York courts regarding this issue; however, Republicans continue to seek intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent alterations to the political boundaries and map.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has directed Democrats to submit written responses to the Republicans’ appeal by the end of Thursday.

Malliotakis commented on the ruling, stating, “The appellate judges in New York had an obligation to intervene and halt such an obviously unconstitutional decision. The U.S. Supreme Court has been clear: redistricting based on race breaches the U.S. Constitution.”

“I am eager for the Supreme Court’s involvement in this case to uphold the rule of law and maintain the integrity of our elections,” she further stated.

In a public statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned the necessity of starting the process of redrawing the district.

The New York State Constitution ensures fair representation, and individuals in every community across New York deserve this safeguard. Following today’s decision from the Appellate Division, there is now an urgency for the New York Independent Redistricting Commission to initiate the task of amending these maps.