STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLYMAN WILL BARCLAY ON THE END OF THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

At the conclusion of this legislative session, New York is no better off than when it began, and in many respects, it is worse.

The affordability crisis that Albany paid lip service to earlier this year is still alive and well. Crime and public safety concerns persist with the doubling down of sanctuary policies. And Democrats have shifted the date of local elections and made a move to gut New York’s redistricting protections for obvious partisan gain.

Celebrating yet another record-setting $268 billion budget that was two months late and added $2.5 billion in taxes is fitting for a state where leaders perpetually throw cold water on its potential and neglect policies that would make it safer, more affordable and more competitive.

Albany Democrats may hope the consequences of their policies remain hidden, but a bruise on an apple is often the first visible sign of deeper rot beneath the surface. We cannot ignore the warning signs: residents and businesses are leaving, costs continue to rise, public confidence is eroding.

While we leave this session with many missed opportunities and ignored priorities, Assembly Republicans will not stop working to unlock New York’s full potential and restore confidence in the future of our state.