ASSEMBLYMAN SLATER, LEADER BARCLAY PRESENT POLICY AGENDA FOR THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Minority Conference Unveils ‘Fight for New York’ Agenda,

With Focus On Creating a More Affordable, Safe, Prosperous Empire State

On the first day of the 2026 Legislative Session, the New York State Assembly Minority Conference unveiled its comprehensive legislative platform for the coming year, Fight For New York, with policies focused on delivering fiscal relief, protecting taxpayers, creating economic growth and job opportunities and improving the quality of life for 20 million New Yorkers.

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown) was elected chair of the Assembly Republican Policy Committee last year by the New York State Assembly Republican Conference, tasked with leading efforts to establish and advance key policy positions for the conference. 

“Each new legislative session brings renewed energy and an opportunity to fix what hasn’t worked, build on what has and address the concerns facing New Yorkers in our district and across the state. As always, Albany faces no shortage of challenges, but we’re back in session and excited to get to work on the priorities New Yorkers have made clear they want addressed,” said Slater. “As policy chair, I’m proud to help craft policies that reflect the needs and values of New Yorkers all across the state.”

“New Yorkers deserve a brighter future and a better direction than what Albany’s One-Party Rule is providing. Our 2026 legislative agenda is built on common-sense legislation that reflects the needs and concerns of families across the state. For too long here, people have been paying too much and getting too little in return. Our plan removes barriers so all New Yorkers can grow and thrive in the Empire State,” said Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski).

The key pillars of the Assembly Minority’s 2026 agenda include:

• Facing the Affordability Crisis – Address one of the nation’s highest tax burdens, lower costs for families and rein in runaway state spending that has increased by more than $50 billion since 2021.

• Responsible Energy Policy – Review and reset unworkable climate mandates in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to lower energy costs, preserve energy choice and maintain the reliability of the state’s energy grid. 

• Health Care Reimagined – Provide affordable and innovative options to expand access to critical health care services and ease burdens to enrollment. 

• Prioritize Public Safety – Implement common-sense fixes to failing laws that continue to undermine our criminal justice system; make the overdue changes to correctional system policies to help support a workforce in crisis. 

• Expand Job Opportunities & Workforce Development – Advance initiatives to expand job training and apprenticeship programs; remove barriers to employment and facilitate economic growth by eliminating red tape and regulatory burdens. 

• Combatting Antisemitism – Stand together in support of the Jewish community to reinforce the message that antisemitism will not be tolerated; ensure public dollars are not used in support of groups or institutions that spread hate.

• Child Care – Make child care more affordable by expanding access to early childhood education programs, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on providers and improving transparency through the child care database adopted in last year’s state budget.

The Assembly Minority Conference has also launched a new website, nygoppolicy.com, which highlights the conference’s “Fight for New York” 2026 agenda and priority issue areas with accompanying legislative proposals. The online resource features issue summaries and easy-to-read information explaining key priorities, along with video remarks from Assembly Republican Members. Visitors can also find news updates, task force information and ways to connect and stay involved on state legislative issues.