This Year’s Platform: ‘Fight for New York’
By Hank Russell
As the state legislators head back to Albany as this year’s session begins, some of the members of the Assembly minority are also offering their thoughts on what their fellow Republicans should focus on.
On January 7, the New York State Assembly Minority Conference unveiled its comprehensive legislative platform for the coming year, “Fight For New York.” They said these policies will focus on delivering fiscal relief, protecting taxpayers, creating economic growth and job opportunities, and improving the quality of life for 20 million New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers deserve a brighter future and a better direction than what Albany’s One-Party Rule is providing,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski). “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.”
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 of 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.
Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) said affordability is the main issue for him. “Too many residents are being squeezed by rising property taxes, higher energy bills and the everyday cost of living, while Albany continues to push policies that make it harder for working families, seniors and small businesses to get by,” he said. “Long Islanders deserve a government that works for them, not against them.”
Like Brown, Daniel Norber (R,C-Great Neck) said he would like to see a more affordable quality of life for New Yorkers, but added that he also supports the last item on the platform, which addresses fighting antisemitism.
“[I will stand] firmly against radicalism and antisemitism by protecting Jewish communities, strengthening public safety and making clear that hate has no place in New York,” said Norber.
Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) said he would like to see the state spend less. He said spending increased by $13 billion last year, $81 billion in the past five years and the budget gap is at $4.2 billion.
“The … budget gap didn’t appear overnight,” Ra said. “It is the predictable result of budgets built on expanding government, not sustainable priorities, something the Republican conference has warned about for years.” He said the growth of spending is “simply not sustainable.”
“New Yorkers are being asked to believe the contradiction that record spending will somehow make life more affordable,” Ra said. “It hasn’t, and it won’t.”
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 Barclay and Assembly Republican members. Visitors can also find news updates, task force information, and ways to connect and stay involved on state legislative issues.
“Assembly Republicans are excited and ready to work on these priorities. The start of a new legislative session provides the opportunity to make overdue changes that put New York on a more prosperous path,” Barclay said. “Our policy agenda outlines areas where New York can do better – and we have a responsibility to deliver.”