March 16, 2026



NYS Budget Update and Call to Action

We are about two weeks until the final NYS Budget is due. Since last fall, you have sent letters, made calls, met with legislators, and rallied with us. That has made a HUGE impact on budget decisions to support people with IDD and the providers they rely on. Now we must make the final push.

Last week, both the Senate and Assembly proposed a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) in their one-house budget resolutions, a significantly larger investment than the 1.7% proposed in the Executive Budget. You can view the Senate resolution here and the Assembly resolution here.

Our message to the legislature and governor now is to include the full 4% TII in the Enacted Budget, with no less than 2.7% available for providers to invest in the full spectrum of care costs. A 4% increase will cover inflation over the past year AND continue the progress New York has made to strengthen our system of care. Check out our updated info sheet to learn more.

There has never been a more critical time to keep the pressure up and have our voices heard! Please take a moment to send a letter to the governor and the legislature asking for inclusion of the 4% TII!

What Are Our Next Steps?

The General Budget Conference Committee (AKA the “Mothership”) will hold their initial meeting on Monday, March 16th at 4:30 p.m. to begin the process of reconciling each House’s budget proposal.

The Mental Hygiene subcommittee members listed below have an important role in shaping end-stage budget negotiations, but it will ultimately come down to Governor Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins. If any of these legislators are your representatives, or you have a standing relationship with them, now is the time to reach out about including the 4% TII.

The subcommittee will meet Tuesday, March 17 at 4:00 PM and will stream live here.

Ways to Take Action Today!

1) Tell the Governor and Legislature to Support People with Disabilities in Enacted Budget

Our updated one-click letter campaign is a quick and easy way to send a message to the governor and legislature that includes all of our budget requests. You can send the letter as is, or edit and personalize your message by clicking the “edit” button in the top left corner.

2) Speak Up and Call for Action!

We're continuing our statewide call campaign until the Enacted Budget is inked! We encourage all of you to pick up the phone and call your legislators. If you feel more comfortable calling during nights and weekends to leave a message, that is an equally powerful way to have your voice heard.

The call instructions give you an overview of why we are calling, a step-by-step guide how to participate, and a short script to guide you. Since this is our updated budget ask, please call again if you have done so already.

Once you have completed your call, please let us know so we can keep track by either by filling out this short form or emailing advocacy@thearcny.org.

Thanks for Rallying with Us!

In the past two weeks thousands of advocates have rallied in Central New York, the Hudson-Valley and Long Island, and traveled to Albany to rally at the Capitol. Legislators came to speak and self-advocates, staff, families, and community members have raised their voice to tell decision makers WE MATTER and they need to INVEST IN US!

Thanks to all who joined our rallies from across the state, and to those who joined in virtually through our social media day of action.

You can visit our Facebook page for more photos, and read media coverage here:

• Spectrum News
• lohud
• Hudson Valley News 12
• Rockland County Business Review
• Gothamist

Now we must take that momentum and keep the pressure on until the final budget is signed by the governor!

This and all advocacy updates are archived on The Arc New York website for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information.