Albany Lawmakers Face Crunch Time as Session Draws to a Close

As the clock runs out on this year’s legislative session in Albany, lawmakers are trying to wrap up key bills and settle budget concerns before heading home for the summer.The State Assembly will stay in Albany through June 17, while the Senate is set to finish by June 12.

To help explain what’s at stake and what it means for local communities, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom.

Aid in Dying vote leads the agenda

One of the biggest issues right now is the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a doctor.
Lombardo said, “This has the potential to be the one big issue that does get done here in Albany.”

While other bills are still in play, Lombardo said it is unlikely that prison reform or environmental bills will make it across the finish line.

Budget cuts could come later

Though the state passed a $250 billion budget this spring, it may face cuts if expected federal funding falls short.
The budget includes language to deal with more than $2 billion in potential federal cuts. But Lombardo said lawmakers might leave the hard decisions to the governor.
“My guess is that the state lawmakers will not necessarily want to own budget cuts. ‘Cause budget cuts are not popular,” he said.
He added, “This is one of those times where the governor is likely gonna have to be the adult in the room, so to speak, and they’ll be the one who is going to lead on these cuts.”

Local lawmakers working for home districts

In the Hudson Valley and Catskills, Assemblymember Paula Kay (D-100th District) is trying to move local bills, such as improving private school transportation in Sullivan County and a bill about bail eligibility for controlled substances.
Lombardo said, “She has a bunch of sort of local interest bills, some in which she carries with Republican State Senator Peter Oberacker.”
Another thing to watch is whether Kay can secure “bullet aid” for local projects.

“In the final days of the legislative session here in Albany, the Assembly will vote on a bunch of resolutions that will include different pots of money that Paula Kay might be able to steer to the 100th Assembly District,” Lombardo said.

State Senator Peter Oberacker (R-51st District) faces even more hurdles in moving big bills.
Lombardo said, “I wouldn’t expect him to be grabbing too many headlines between now and the end of the legislative session, given that he is a Republican in a body ruled by Democrats.”

Delgado’s run could shift politics

Looking ahead to 2026, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is running in the Democratic primary against Governor Hochul.
His platform includes ideas like universal healthcare.
Lombardo said, “If he’s able to gain traction, if he’s able to steer the agenda, if he’s able to steer the media narrative, then sure, I think Governor Hochul is gonna have to be responsive. But he has a long way to go, many mountains to climb before he’s a part of a serious conversation with regards to the gubernatorial election in 2026.”
“Right now, if I’m Governor Kathy Hochul, I’m more concerned with who my potential Republican opponent will be in the general election,” Lombardo added.

Prison reform loses steam

One issue that has lost momentum is prison reform.
Lombardo said, “Six months ago there was a major conversation about prison reform in New York following the death of Robert Brooks at a central New York prison. That conversation has died down to a whimper.”“There’s efforts by progressives in the legislature and in the criminal justice space to bring it back to life… but it really seems unlikely that there’s going to be anything substantive done in that area,” he said.

Final stretch

Lawmakers still need to finish work on hundreds of routine bills—such as local tax extenders—and possibly update the state’s temporary disability insurance and tackle single-use plastic packaging.
But with just days remaining, it remains to be seen how much more they can accomplish. Lombardo said, “There’s only so many days left and so many bills, so many hundreds of bills that they need to get done as a matter of course.”