The New York State Association of Counties has released its 2026 Legislative Program, outlining policy priorities aimed at protecting local taxpayers and strengthening essential county services ahead of the upcoming state legislative session.
The association said New York’s 62 counties are facing increasing fiscal pressure due to uncertainty surrounding federal funding for programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, expanding state mandates, and aging infrastructure. Counties administer many state and federal programs, including public health, public safety, elections and social services.
NYSAC President Phil Church, the Oswego County administrator, said counties play a central role in delivering services while balancing affordability for residents.
“New York’s counties turn policy into action, supporting public health and public safety, administering elections, and caring for our most vulnerable residents,” Church said. “At a time of enormous uncertainty, our Legislative Program demonstrates how affordability and service delivery go hand in hand.”
The 2026 program identifies 10 core priorities, including protecting counties from federal cost shifts, preserving the Medicaid cap, modernizing procurement and workforce laws, investing in water and local infrastructure, reforming criminal justice and mental health systems, and eliminating taxpayer subsidies for packaging waste.
The legislative program is developed through NYSAC’s standing committees, which are made up of county elected officials from across the state.
The full 2026 NYSAC Legislative Program is available here.
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