Assembly leaders open 2026 session with competing priorities: affordability, health care, and tax proposals

The New York State Assembly's opening session included extended floor remarks from the presiding officer and a response from the House Republican leader laying out contrasting priorities for the 2026 session.

The presiding officer (name not specified in the transcript) framed the majority's agenda around lowering costs for families, investing in housing and childcare, expanding measures such as the Empire Child Tax Credit and universal school lunch, and defending state health and environmental policies against federal rollbacks. The speaker said recent federal actions ‘‘jeopardize the health care coverage of 1,500,000 New Yorkers, including 750,000 children,’’ and urged the state’s congressional delegation to walk back those federal changes before they take effect. The speaker also cited an asserted $2,100,000,000 in tax relief over three years tied to enhancements of the Empire Child Tax Credit.

Minority Leader Will Barclay delivered remarks emphasizing the economic burdens New Yorkers face, including high state and local taxes and energy costs. Barclay proposed Republican priorities for the coming session: suspending the state sales tax on everyday household items, broadening tax credits, eliminating taxes on tips, and capping state spending growth to inflation. He said those proposals are aimed at slowing out‑migration and lowering the cost of living for families.

Both leaders positioned housing affordability and child care as key areas for action in 2026, while framing opposing views about the appropriate role of state policy in responding to federal actions. The session also recognized new Assembly interns and staff program leaders.

Next procedural step: floor members approved organizational motions to carry or refer bills into committee and adjourn the 2025 session; the Assembly will reconvene Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.