NYCOM'S END-OF-SESSION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

VIEW UPDATE (added 6-10-26) 

UNTIL JUNE 30, 2027

The extension of New York's cooperative purchasing ("piggybacking") authority is great news for municipalities looking to save time and money on procurement. Keep in mind that the extension comes with an important asterisk.

Just weeks earlier, the Third Department Appellate Division issued a significant ruling in Lynch v. Maine-Endwell Central School District, making clear that piggybacking is only a legal alternative to competitive bidding for purchase contracts.

Meaning, piggybacking under GML 103(16) cannot be used for public works contracts. Importantly, this ruling does not impact a municipality's ability to “piggyback” off of county public works contracts.

JULY 21 (11AM-12PM)

REGISTER NOW

Join us for a briefing with the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) and the New York State Court Facilities Capital Review Board counsel and staff to discuss the evolving relationship between the Judiciary and cities regarding court facilities capital planning.

New York law and court rules continue to define the respective responsibilities of the State, OCA, and political subdivisions for court facility cleaning, maintenance, capital improvements, and reimbursement processes. This briefing will provide an opportunity to hear directly from OCA and Board counsel and staff about the court facilities planning process, what cities should expect in the years ahead, and how local governments can position themselves to maximize reimbursement opportunities.

Under contracts with the Unified Court System, the State reimburses political subdivisions for actual expenditures for cleaning court facilities, subject to applicable standards and budget submission requirements. State oversight reports have also found that reimbursement programs can be affected by inconsistent documentation and local claims practices, making advance planning and clear procedures especially important for cities seeking full allowable reimbursement.

In addition, New York law provides for a court facilities capital review board and capital planning requirements for court facilities, which makes coordination between cities and the Judiciary especially important as future facility needs are identified and evaluated.

This webinar is FREE to NYCOM members, although registration is required. A recording of the webinar will be provided to registrants following completion of the webinar.

Please Note: In order to complete your registration for the webinar, you must click 'Place Order'. You will receive a confirmation email upon successful registration.

If you have any questions, please contact Wade Beltramo, NYCOM General Counsel, at 518-463-1185 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

OVERVIEW OF THE 2026-27 ADOPTED STATE BUDGET AND PENDING LEGISLATION OF INTEREST

VIEW UPDATE (added 5-29-26) 

2026-27 STATE BUDGET: PENSION BENEFIT CHANGES FACT SHEET

VIEW CHANGES (added 6-24-26)

JOINT STATEMENT FROM NYCOM AND NYAOT ON THE TIER 6 REFORM IN THE FINAL STATE BUDGET

VIEW STATEMENT (added 5-27-26)

NLC RESOURCES, TOOLKITS AND WAYS TO CELEBRATE

The National League of Cities is excited about the unique opportunity this milestone presents for local communities across the country.

This historic occasion is not only a time to reflect on the past—it is a chance to inspire civic pride, strengthen community engagement and create a vision for the next 250 years together. 

On this page, you can find inspiration for your A250 activities, ideas for partnership and resources to support your journey.

SIGN OUR PROCLAMATION

NYCOM is proud to embrace the America250 initiative and ensure that municipalities across New York are recognized as an integral part of this once-in-a-generation commemoration.

This milestone recognizes the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring ideals of liberty, democracy and civic engagement that continue to guide our cities and villages today. It also presents an opportunity to highlight the important role municipalities have played in shaping our State and our nation.

We are asking municipal leaders to use this survey link to sign onto a unified proclamation supporting the America250 commemoration and affirming your municipality's participation in this historical effort.

With the unified support of New York's cities and villages, we can ensure local governments are recognized as central to this national milestone and demonstrate the leadership of our communities in honoring our shared history. Thank you for adding your municipality's name in support of this initiative.

3 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED LOCALLY

As we enter 2026 and mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, communities across New York have a unique opportunity to celebrate our shared history while creating something meaningful for future generations. To help get your planning started, NYCOM has developed three simple, impactful ideas that cities and villages can easily bring to life locally.

1. Create an America250 Time Capsule
Communities are invited to assemble a time capsule filled with items that reflect life today and their local history, then bury it at city or village hall to be opened during the nation’s 300th anniversary. This is a powerful way to connect today’s residents with future generations through a shared civic legacy.

2. Host an “America’s Potluck” Food Drive
We encourage you to adapt the America250 “America’s Potluck” idea - originally conceived as a nationwide communal-meal event - into a benefit for those in need. Instead of just a shared meal among neighbors, consider hosting a community-wide food drive where residents can drop off nonperishable goods, and combine it with a potluck or communal meal, as your municipality sees fit. Leveraging a recognized national initiative can foster connection and civic pride while also providing meaningful support to those facing food insecurity. 

3. Plant a Liberty Tree or Create a Liberty Garden
Planting a Liberty Tree or establishing a small Liberty Garden in your community offers a lasting, visible tribute to America250. These projects enhance beautification, support sustainability, and expand green space while creating an enduring symbol of civic pride.

Each of these ideas is designed to be flexible and low-cost, allowing you to tailor it to the size and capacity of your community. Participation can be as simple or as robust as you choose.

NYCOM looks forward to celebrating America 250 with our members across the State. We encourage you to consider participating in one or more of these initiatives and to share your efforts with us so we can help spotlight your community’s work.

If you have questions or would like additional guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

What’s in the Farm Bill for Cities? (added 527-26)

What Congress Needs to Advance on Transportation for America's Communities (added 4-28-26)

NLC Responds to U.S. DOJ’s Decision to Extend Compliance Deadline of Website Accessibility Rule for State and Local Governments (added 4-20-26)

Call Congress: Stop New Unfunded Mandates on Permitting and Franchising (added 4-20-26)

FY27 Federal Budget

What the FY27 Federal Budget Proposal Could Mean for Local Governments (added 4-20-26)

Correspondence on Federal Budget Issues

• Urge Congress to Fund Water Infrastructure Programs for FY2026 (added 8-26-25)
• NYCOM FirstNet Letter to Congress: NYCOM Letter Urges Congress To Ensure The Continued Operation of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Beyond its Current Expiration in February 2027 (added 7-8-25)
• 247 Mayors Sign Letter to Congress Opposing Proposed HUD Cuts (added 6-5-25)

Information on Final Passage of "One Big, Beautiful Bill" (H.R.1)

• NLC Summary of the One Big Beautiful Bill (published 7-11-25)
• U.S. Congress Passes Reconciliation Bill: What it Means for Counties (published 7-3-25)
• How Washington’s Budget Bill Will Affect Health Care in New York (published 7-3-25)
• By the Numbers: H.R. 1 Would Have Devastating Impacts on New York Health Care Providers, Patients, Employees and Communities (published 7-1-25)

UPCOMING WEBINARS AND ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS

REGISTER FOR FREE WEBINARS

Upcoming webinars include:

• 7/22/26 - Budgeting for Department Heads (for all)
• 8/5/26 - Accounting for Interfund Transactions (for all)
• 9/9/26 - Fiscal Stress Monitoring System Briefing for 12/31 Filers

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REGISTER FOR ONLINE ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS

Upcoming 2026 Fall accounting school schedule:

• Introduction to Governmental Accounting - September 2-3
• Accounting Principles and Procedures - October 7-8
• Introduction to Governmental Accounting - November 18-19
• Accounting Principles and Procedures - December 9-10

Cost: $85 per local government official/employee per class (includes coursebook). Registrations close 3 weeks prior to class date. We accept check or money order.

JUNE 9, 10, 16, 23, 26, 30

Join EFC's Community Assistance Teams in June for our Q&A sessions and a Lunch and Learn webinar series with partner agencies. Meet the expert staff who run the State's water infrastructure funding programs, learn what type of work is eligible, ask questions, and get tips and next steps to submit competitive applications.

• JUNE 9, 1-2 P.M., Lunch and Learn with EFC and the Department of Health: State Revolving Funds, Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant Programs, and additional programs for wastewater and stormwater projects
• JUNE 10, 11 A.M.-NOON, Q&A session with EFC and the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, State, and the Office of Homes and Community Renewal
• JUNE 16, 1-2 P.M., Lunch and Learn with the Office of Homes and Community Renewal: Community Development Block Grants
• JUNE 23, 1-2 P.M., Lunch and Learn with the Department of State: Local Government Efficiency Program, Northern Border Regional Commission, and Appalachian Regional Commission
• JUNE 26, 11 A.M.-NOON, Q&A session with EFC and the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, State, and the Office of Homes and Community Renewal
• JUNE 30, 1-2 P.M., Lunch and Learn with the Department of Environmental Conservation: Water Quality Improvement Project Program and Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant

NYCOM’S OFFICIAL STOREFRONT IS OPEN! 

Explore apparel, accessories, and member favorites designed with NYCOM colors and branding. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, or your staff, our new NYCOM Storefront has what you need to show your municipal pride.

SHOP HERE

NYSERDA Building Cleaner Communities Competition
DUE 8-14-26

NYSERDA has announced $25 million in funding through its Building Cleaner Communities Competition to support regionally significant projects that advance clean energy, resiliency, and economic development goals. Municipalities may apply for funding for new construction, adaptive reuse, deep retrofits, and major renovations designed to achieve carbon neutral or net-zero energy performance. The program places a strong emphasis on projects that can serve as replicable models for communities across New York, particularly those located in disadvantaged or low-to-moderate income areas.

Eligible projects are encouraged to incorporate resiliency features such as backup power, thermal energy networks, and strategies that reduce peak energy demand.

Awards of up to $1.5 million for individual buildings and up to $3 million for multi-building projects are available.

APPLICATIONS are due August 14, 2026

An informational webinar will be hosted on June 16th at 10:00 AM EST

The development of our Legislative Program occurs each fall at NYCOM's Virtual Legislative Priorities Meeting when city and village members discuss and prioritize legislative issues for the ensuing legislative session. Following a discussion of specific policy issues, the members in attendance vote on the top priorities for the upcoming year.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR 2026 PRIORITIES AND PROGRAM.