New York Note: NYC Budget Gap, NYS Minority Leader, Client Spotlights

February 17, 2026

New York State to Contribute $1.5 Billion to Address New York City Budget Gap

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced yesterday that New York State will allocate an additional $1.5 billion in operating expenses over two years to help address New York City’s fiscal challenges. The funding announcement comes after Mayor Mamdani appeared before the state legislature in Albany where he called for an end to fiscal “imbalance” in the State.The funding will help close the City’s $12.5 billion budget gap estimated by Comptroller Mark Levine in January—a gap that Mayor Mamdani later noted had narrowed to $7 billion due to an improved economic forecast, which reflected higher‑than‑expected revenues including Wall Street bonuses, and what he described as an “aggressive posture on savings” in the City’s own budget. The Mayor plans to release the Preliminary Budget proposal this afternoon.

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Assemblymember Ed Ra appointed Minority Leader Following Assemblymember Will Barclay’s resignation

Last Monday, Assembly Republicans unanimously voted to appoint Assemblymember Edward Ra as Minority Leader. Former Minority Leader Will Barclay, who recently announced  he would not seek another term, stepped down early from his position as Minority Leader to support a “smooth transition” of leadership. Barclay is one of several NYS lawmakers who recently announced they will retire or not seek reelection. Others include Senate Deputy Minority Leader Michael Gianaris and Senator Brian Kavanaugh, and Assemblymembers Deborah Glick,  Stacey Pheffer Amato, Donna Lupardo, Marianne Buttenschon, Nader Sayegh, Vivian Cook, Kenneth Blankenbush, Brian Manktelow, and Angelo Morinello.

Client Spotlight: Bid Association Welcomes New Member in Coney Island

On February 15th, the Business Improvement District (BID)  Association welcomed Coney Island as the newest member to the Association, following Mayor Mamdani’s signing of the Certificate of Incorporation. The Coney Island BID will deliver supplemental services to strengthen small businesses, improve neighborhood livability, promote growth, and create vibrant public spaces that support year-round economic activity. Mayor Mamdani, along with the NYC Department of Small Business Services, celebrated the formation of the new Coney Island BID, stating “today is the opportunity for the city to join hands and say that not only will we establish this BID, but that we are so excited for everything that it will bring.”

Client Spotlight: VNS Health and Federation of Nurses/UFT Ratify New RN Labor Agreement

The Federation of Nurses/UFT have ratified a new agreement covering more than 600 registered nurses at the nonprofit VNS Health. The agreement is grounded in a good-faith bargaining process and reflects shared priorities such as, supporting nurses, strengthening the care experience for patients and families, and ensuring that VNS Health can continue to deliver the reliable, high-quality care patients depend on. VNS Health looks forward to moving ahead with a strong labor-management partnership that supports our nurses and the thousands of patients they care for every day.

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About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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