State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that a monthlong series of public hearings on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026-2027 state budget begins Tuesday in Albany.
The first hearing is scheduled for today focuses on the governor’s proposals for Agriculture and Parks and Recreation. The hearings are conducted jointly by the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and can be viewed online at O’Mara’s Senate website and the New York State Senate events page. Archived videos of each hearing will also be available.
The hearings will provide an opportunity for testimony from state agency officials, local government representatives, educators, business leaders, farmers, and other public policy and fiscal experts.
O’Mara, who has served as the top Republican on the Finance Committee since 2021, emphasized the importance of the hearings in shaping the state’s budget and fiscal priorities.
“Senate Republicans will continue to advocate for lower taxes, less regulation, greater accountability, affordability, economic growth, job creation, and more common sense in state fiscal practices,” O’Mara said. “These hearings are a critical opportunity for direct input and critique on policies that will affect the short- and long-term future of our local communities and economies.”
Hearing Schedule:
- Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m. — Agriculture / Parks & Recreation
- Jan. 28, 9:30 a.m. — Environmental Conservation / Energy
- Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m. — Elementary & Secondary Education
- Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m. — Transportation
- Feb. 4, 9:30 a.m. — Mental Hygiene
- Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m. — Human Services / Aging
- Feb. 10, 9:30 a.m. — Health / Medicaid
- Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m. — Local Government / General Government
- Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m. — Public Protection
- Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. — Higher Education
- Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. — Workforce Development / Labor; 12:00 p.m. — Housing
- Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. — Economic Development / Arts; 12:00 p.m. — Taxes
O’Mara stressed the need for fiscal responsibility and economic competitiveness. “We must continue working against policies that burden businesses, manufacturers, and local economies with excessive taxes, red tape, and overregulation,” he said.
Senator O’Mara represents the 58th Senate District, including Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Yates counties, and part of Allegany County.
