Blog

Jan 28 2020

Political Updates

Senator James Seward, announced this week that he would not be seeking re-election. Senator Seward, long-time Chair and Ranker of the Senate Insurance committee, has held his seat since 1987. The Senator has been an oustanding ally to Unshackle Upstate. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him all the best in retirement. […]


Jan 28 2020

Updates, Reminders & Links

City & State NY’s Winners & Losers here. City & State NY’s 2020 Health Power 100 here. City & State NY’s Who’s Facing A 2020 Primary Challenge In The State Legislature here


Jan 28 2020

Coming Up

The 2020-21 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health/Medicaid will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday, January 29th in Hearing Room B, Legislative Office Building. The 2020-21 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Human Services will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 30th in Hearing Room B, Legislative Office Building. The 2020-21 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Mental Hygiene will be held […]


Dec 11 2019

Updates, Reminders and Links

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here. Assembly Speaker suggests raising revenue is the way to close the upcoming budget gap. New York Medicaid Gap an “Achilles Heel” here.  


Dec 11 2019

Coming Up

The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on December 12. The Assembly will hold a public hearing to examine capital funding for arts and cultural organizations on December 12. The Senate will hold a public hearing on real estate agents’ discrimination of home buyers on December 12. The Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology will hold a public hearing on […]


Nov 26 2019

Mid-Year Financial Plan Update Released

The Division of Budget released their mid-year update to the State’s Financial Plan which projects a shortfall of over $6 billion for the next fiscal year. The report points to Medicaid cost overruns as the culprit, specifically singling out increases in the minimum wage for health care providers, a phase out of enhanced funding by the federal […]


Nov 26 2019

Challengers to State Legislators Announce Campaigns

This week, announcements were made signaling intentions to challenge sitting members of the legislature. Among the members that will now have a race is Assemblyman Jeff Aubry from Queens. Hiram Monserrate, a former state senator who was removed from office for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction announced he would be challenging Aubry to a primary. Monserrate […]


Nov 26 2019

Updates Reminders & Links

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here. City & State NY’s 2019 Women Power 100 here. Unshackle Upstate Survey Finds Pessimistic Outlook for 2020 here.


Nov 26 2019

Coming Up

**POSTPONED TDB** The Senate and Assembly will hold a joint public hearing on natural gas moratoriums has been postponed – new date to be determined.  The Senate Committee on Mental Health has schedule a public hearing on OPWDD transition to managed care for December 2. The Senate Education and Budget and Revenue Committees will hold a public hearing to examine the distribution […]


Nov 19 2019

Governor Signs Package of Veterans Bills

This week, Governor Cuomo signed a package of bills to support New Yorkers who serve or have served in the armed forces. The package consists of 14 bills that protect the rights of active duty military members and veterans in a number of areas, including access to education, employment, voting, discharge status protection, and general services and benefits. In addition […]