2026 NYS Legislative Agenda: What We're Fighting For

Our 2026 Campaign to Build a Stronger New York for Working Families!

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Agenda:

1. Raise revenue to fill federal budget cuts and fund affordability agenda 

New York stands to lose $5.8 billion in federal funding next year and $14.3 billion by 2030 as a result of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”  Meanwhile, the richest New Yorkers will receive a collective $12 billion per year in federal tax breaks from the same bill. 

We must raise revenue by making corporations pay their fair share in order to cover federal cuts and invest in programs that make New York more affordable for working families. 

2. Pass Universal Childcare 

The average New Yorker pays $22K per year in childcare costs. Skyrocketing childcare costs are one of the key drivers of the affordability crisis. 

We are fighting for funding that puts New York on the path to:

  • Fully fund the first two years of free child care for 2-year-olds across New York City
  • Fill the gaps in New York City’s existing 3-K program
  • Guarantee universal Pre-K and 3-K across New York State

3. Codify Fee Waiver Language for SUNY Graduate Student Workers 

In 2022, we won a commitment to fund phasing out mandatory broad-based fees for SUNY graduate student workers, the backbone workforce of the SUNY system. While we’ve successfully obtained the first three installments, and have commitments for the full phase out this year.

We are fighting to codify this language to ensure graduate students are protected in perpetuity. 

4. Fix Tier 6 and Secure Fair Pensions for Public Employees

Tier 6 was added to the state pension system in 2012, drastically reducing retirement benefits for public employees. Tier 6 employees must pay into the retirement system their entire careers and contribute more as their pay increases, disincentivizing people from working in the public sector.

We are fighting for a solution to fix Tier 6 and secure fair pensions for all public employees.

5. Increase funding for the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies 

SLU is specifically dedicated to public service and social justice, providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare the next generation of labor and community leaders.

We are fighting for $8M in funding for SLU.

Legislative Agenda:

1. State Oversight of Broadband (Ryan / Rozic)

Due to decades of deregulation, policymakers have few tools to require the universal deployment of broadband, and broadband providers face little public accountability for service quality, outdated infrastructure, or failure to respond appropriately to natural disasters.

This legislation would explicitly authorize and direct the Public Service Commission to exercise oversight of broadband in areas of resiliency, public safety, data collection, and consumer protection. This oversight is crucial to achieving reliable broadband access for all.

2. Protecting Workers in the Age of A.I. 

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly across the industries where CWA members work. Government policy should support collective bargaining and worker consultation in the adoption of AI and other emerging technologies, and aim to strengthen and complement workers’ bargaining power with baseline policy protections for all workers. Workers are the experts on their jobs and workplaces, and are best positioned to identify risks and guardrails needed.

  1. The Bossware and Oppressive Technology (BOT) Act (Alvarez) would regulate exploitative surveillance, protect workers from discriminatory algorithms in hiring, and give workers input in the use of these technologies in the workplace
  2. The FAIR News Act (S8451 Fahy / A8962 Rozic) would establish critical AI protections for both journalists working in New York’s news industry and the broader public.

3. Protecting All Healthcare Workers from Mandatory Overtime - (S4465 Mayer / A1903 Paulin

Frontline healthcare workers like nursing assistants, patient care technicians, respiratory therapists and MRI technicians are critical to patient care. Yet, unlike RNs, these workers do not have any protections against mandatory overtime. Too many workers are forced to work beyond scheduled hours, leading to fatigue and burnout—and increasing the likelihood of medical errors. 

This bill would protect direct patient care workers from being forced to work beyond their regularly scheduled hours.