OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For almost 10 years, the Huddle has worked to pass bills that align with our progressive values. To do this, we work with organizations that have the resources to plan rallies, advocacy days with legislators, and calling and writing to our legislators and the governor.
NY Renews is a multi-racial, cross-class coalition of hundreds of climate, labor, youth, and community groups across the state. Together, we organize for clean energy, union jobs, and a healthier, more affordable New York.
Campaign for New York Health is a coalition of regional HUBs that fight for legislation that will create the NY Health plan for universal health care for all residents and full-time employees in New York.
Beyond Plastics brings together the wisdom and experience of environmental policy experts with the energy and creativity of grassroots advocates to build a vibrant and effective movement to end plastic pollution.
Let NY Vote is a nonpartisan, state-wide coalition working to improve our elections by making voting more accessible, secure, and equitable for every New York voter.
LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES AND MORE
-
The "More links" spreadsheet has lists related to the state legislature and organizations that advocate for change in areas such as climate change and the environment, election reform, health reform, and gun safety, among others.
-
See our NY Legislation Tracker for specific bills and their status. Read more about the tracker below.
The New York Legislation Tracker
The Huddle's NY Legislation Tracker is a Google Sheet listing bills that are part of the Huddle’s legislative priorities, including:
Immigration
Single-payer Healthcare
Environment and Climate
Election Reform
Tax Reform
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Universal Childcare
Note: The bills listed do not include all bills endorsed by progressive groups. Inclusion of a bill does not constitute an endorsement by the Bethlehem Morning Voice Huddle.
Contents of the Tracker
-
“Useful links” includes links to the legislature's websites and advocacy groups that work to pass these bills.
-
There is one sheet for each priority issue.
-
The Senate and Assembly introduce their own version of a bill. For each bill, you’ll find: the title, description, and the link to the bill; and its current status, the bill sponsors and co-sponsors, and when the entry was last updated.
-
If an entry seems outdated, use the link to the bill and check “Actions" on the Senate/Assembly webiste.
How a Bill Becomes a Law summarizes the steps in the NY Senate from where the idea for a bill originates to how it makes its way to the senate floor. This also tells you where the public and advocacy groups can have input into the content of a law.
"About the New York state budget process"
Division of the Budget
New York State’s budget process uses an executive budget model. Under this system, the Executive is responsible for developing and preparing a comprehensive, balanced budget proposal, which the Legislature modifies and enacts into law.
To read the full explanation of the budget process, go to the Division of the Budget's Citizen's Guide.
More about the budget process
"About the New York state budget process" is what the state tells you how the budget works. In fact, it's a completely non-transparent process that is negotiated between the governor, the senate speaker, and the assembly majority leader.
In addition to the budget, the governor attempts to include policy and weaken existing laws. In 2026, Governor Hochul is attempting to weaken the 2019 Climate Law. By law, the budget for the following year is due on April 1. As of 5/12/2026, the budget has yet to be passed.
Read more about the history of how why the governor has so much power over the budget process. Heastie doesn’t hate the budget player, but hates the budget game. (City & State, 4/23/2026) From the article: "...the governor in New York holds immense power in the budgeting process. The executive-heavy process leaves the state Legislature with little negotiating leverage or statutory authority as governors have increasingly used their influence to get both spending and policy priorities jammed through."