April 2, 2026

State Budget Negotiations Extend Into April

The April 1 deadline for the NYS budget has come and gone, and the Governor and Legislature continue to negotiate the FY2027 budget. On Tuesday, Governor Hochul signed a budget extender, which will fund state operations through April 7. We expect to see additional extensions until the budget is passed, which may not be until late April or early May.

It's important for us to keep our budget asks top-of-mind as negotiations continue!

Our message to the Governor and Legislature 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!

Disability Advocates Descend on Washington

The Arc New York joined nearly 1,000 disability advocates in Washington,D.C. for The Arc US Disability Policy Seminar last week. Participants engaged in a full day of learning, networking, and strategizing about critical policy issues for people with disabilities before taking our advocacy directly to Capitol Hill. We heard from advocates, and members of Congress and the Trump Administration on key topics, including healthcare, education, and funding for essential programs Americans with disabilities rely on. Check out the DPS primer videos for quick overviews of each issue. 

The Arc New York State Office staff, Chapter representatives, and other DPS advocates from New York state held in-person meetings with congressional offices spanning all corners of the state. It was clear our voices matter now more than ever. Policy makers need to hear directly from us about what is happening in New York, and how federal decisions are truly impacting people with disabilities.

Take Action on Federal Issues

Couldn’t join us in Washington? Advocate from home!

Your advocacy can influence federal policy, and your voices need to be heard. Check out these fact sheets and videos developed by The Arc US and Disability Policy Seminar staff to get up to speed on the most pressing issues facing people with disabilities. You can also share your story and message with members of Congress through The Arc Action Center. Please take a moment to complete all four of the one-click campaigns today!

2026 National Convention Call for Proposals

The call for proposals for The Arc’s 2026 National Convention is now open! This November, self-advocates, family members, chapter leaders, disability professionals, and national partners will come together in Portland, Oregon to share fresh ideas and strategies they can take back to their communities. 

You have 4 weeks to submit your session idea for one of the most engaged and influential audiences in the disability community. 

If you have a lesson, strategy, or perspective that could help others improve their programs and practices or take action, The Arc wants to hear from you. Your session could be a case study, a panel discussion, a playbook, or an honest assessment of what you've tried and what you learned. You can present on your own or as part of a team.

To submit your idea:

• Visit convention.thearc.org
• Review the tracks and proposal guidelines
• Choose a 25-minute or 60-minute session
• Submit your proposal by Monday, April 27

If you’re wondering whether your idea is strong enough, it probably is. Your proposal doesn’t need to be perfect to be valuable! 

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.