ALBANY, NY - Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference today unveiled “Save New York,” a comprehensive legislative agenda of policy goals for 2026 aimed at combating Democrat one-party rule in New York State. The Senate Republican agenda prioritizes hardworking New Yorkers – the New Yorkers left behind by radical, progressive policies coming out of Albany.

 

New York State is in a time of crisis. The decisions made and policies pushed by Albany’s ruling party have delivered a state that is among the, if not the most unaffordable states in the nation. A state that drives existing businesses out and discourages new opportunity at every turn. A state where the priorities of career criminals are placed above the needs of the law-abiding citizen. A state in a downward spiral. This is not the recipe for a sustainable future. The Senate Republican Conference is offering a common sense alternative– a plan based in reality that will deliver a better New York for its hardworking citizens.

 

“New York is one of the most beautiful states in the nation, and we should have people lining up who want to live and do business here - instead, people are leaving thanks to dangerous and out-of-touch policies championed by far-left lawmakers that have turned our state into a dystopian nightmare. The Republican conference stands ready to Save New York and restore sanity through common-sense policies,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

 

“New York leftist wing Democratic policies have made New York virtually unaffordable.  These policies have brought higher taxes, higher electricity costs, higher heating costs, higher home costs, and higher grocery costs.  In sum, Democrat policies just cost New Yorkers too much. The Senate Republican plan, led by Leader Ortt, would reverse these costs and make New York a better place for all,” said Senate Deputy Republican Leader Andrew Lanza.

 

“Save New York” is a plan to improve affordability, enhance public safety, and build a stronger New York for today and future generations:

 

More details of the New York State Senate Republicans’ “Save New York,” 2026 legislative agenda will be unveiled in the coming weeks. To read more, click here.

 

“Senate Democrats’ signature climate and energy law has spiked utility bills and eroded grid reliability. We emit more carbon today than the day it passed. We are 20th in healthcare quality and 33rd in educational attainment. We are first in per capita public health and public education spending.  Forty percent of families can’t afford their regular grocery bill. We lead the nation in outmigration. There is no excuse for something to be incredibly expensive and extremely disappointing. Democrats should embrace bipartisanship and common sense. They should collaborate with us to turn their good intentions into workable policy,” said Senator Jake Ashby, SD 43rd. 

 

“For too long, one-party rule in Albany has made New York less affordable and less safe, and hardworking families are paying the price. Instead of changing course, Democrats are moving even further to the left and now seem determined to embrace the socialist ideas coming out of New York City. Their 2026 priorities include doubling down on reckless sanctuary policies, raising taxes on the very businesses that keep our communities running, shortening prison sentences, and forcing a costly climate agenda on New Yorkers that is unrealistic and incapable of meeting our energy needs. The Senate Republican ‘Save New York’ agenda is about reversing these harmful policies, restoring common sense, standing up for law-abiding New Yorkers, and making this state affordable, safe, and competitive again,” said Senator George Borrello, SD 57th. 

 

“The affordability crisis we are currently in didn’t happen by accident - it’s the direct result of years of one-party rule that raised taxes, piled on regulations, and drove up the cost of living. From housing and energy to groceries and childcare, Senate Democrat policies continue to make everyday life more expensive for New Yorkers. Families and small businesses don’t need more mandates or higher taxes, they need a different approach that taxes less, regulates less, and puts affordability back within reach. Our Republican Conference agenda does exactly that,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, SD 9th.

 

“Across my district and the entire state, families continue to struggle with rising costs, high taxes, declining public safety, and no clear path to address any problems that we are facing every day. New Yorkers deserve a government that works for them, not against them. A government that protects families, not criminals. A government that makes life affordable, not impossible. I’ve spent my entire career fighting for my community, and in Albany this session, I will fight every single day to stop New York from collapsing under radical, reckless leadership,” said Senator Steve Chan, SD 17th.

 

“We must prioritize affordability and public safety this legislative session. New York continues to rank among the least affordable states in the nation because of high taxes, rising health care costs, excessive government spending, and increasing energy costs. We must work together to adopt policies and programs to address these issues for both families and businesses. Likewise, we can make our state safer for everyone and keep violent criminals and repeat offenders off the streets by repealing the reckless changes made in recent years to our criminal justice laws,” said Senator Patrick Gallivan, SD 60th.

 

“One-party control of state government has resulted in problematic and flawed policies that have further burdened New Yorkers who are already struggling. As a result, we have seen far too many residents flee the state in search of better opportunities elsewhere. New Yorkers need real change, real action and real relief. Our ‘Save New York’ legislative agenda will provide for this by advancing policies that will make the state more affordable, safer and accountable to those it represents while also improving the quality of life for the state’s hardworking citizens and their families,” said Senator Joseph Griffo, SD 53rd.

 

“New Yorkers are demanding relief, not higher costs. Workers, families, and seniors cannot keep paying more for taxes, utilities, childcare, healthcare, housing, and everyday necessities. As Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, my goal is to put more money back in your pockets, advance the PROTECT Act to remove repeat and dangerous criminals from our streets, and tackle the rising costs of utilities and housing. Our “Save New York” plan delivers the common-sense solutions people are looking for and that Albany Democrats have failed to provide,” said Senator Pam Helming, Chair of the Republican Conference, SD 54th.
 

“Hardworking New Yorkers deserve a state that is affordable, safe, and full of opportunity.  The 'Save New York' agenda is our commitment to restore accountability and common sense to government so that New York can once again be a place people want to live, work, and stay to raise a family,” said Senator Jack M. Martins, Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, SD 7th.

 

“New York State is in desperate need of a new direction and a return to rational, common-sense leadership that puts people ahead of politics.  That is why I am proud to stand with Leader Ortt and my colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference to advance solutions that address the serious challenges facing our state.  From restoring public safety policies that protect our communities to making New York more affordable so our youngest families and oldest residents can live and thrive here, this plan delivers the crucial reforms New Yorkers need and deserve.  Right now, the Senate Republican Conference is the last line of defense for our residents and we are focused on action - not political games - and we have a plan that will lead our state in a better direction,” said Senator Mario R. Mattera, SD 2nd.
 

“The mass exodus of New Yorkers to other parts of the country is the clearest sign that we need to move this state in a new direction. Seven straight years of total Democrat control has made New York completely unaffordable and a place where people no longer want to live. This is why we must pass and implement our plan to reverse course and Save New York,” said Senator Dean Murray, SD 3rd.

 

“New York’s affordability crisis has been sending New Yorkers packing. We have lost hundreds of thousands, primarily low and middle income, families to more affordable states around the country. While Democrats remain beholden to failed ideology and continue to drive costs up for New Yorkers, the Republican conference will fight every day to make New York affordable while creating economic opportunity for everyone,” said Senator Peter Oberacker, SD 51st.

 

“Albany Democrats talk about New York State's affordability crisis but their actions continue to show that they have no interest in reining in out-of-control spending, eliminating taxes, lowering costs, cutting burdensome regulations and mandates, or restoring public safety. Their vision for New York remains a vision built on irresponsibly spending billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars to increase handouts to their base. We need to save New York by restoring the right priorities, rebuilding stronger and safer communities, and working toward a more responsible and sustainable future for middle-class communities, families, workers, businesses, industries, and taxpayers. It's time to save New Yorkers from waking up every day worried about making ends meet in a state that has become less safe, less affordable, less free, less economically competitive, less responsible, and far less hopeful for the future,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, SD 58th.

 

“New York State is a highly taxed, unaffordable state which continues to lead the nation in outmigration and has the lowest homeownership rates in the country. It is also completely controlled by Democrat Leadership in Albany and has been for nearly a decade. Now, after years of pushing through radical policies that have led to higher costs on everything from groceries, to owning a home and utility bills, they are claiming to care about affordability. Yet the only solution they offer is more government spending and higher taxes on the middle class to pay for it. It's time to SAVE NY and enact a legislative agenda that will actually benefit the hardworking, taxpaying men and women who call New York home,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo, SD 1st.

 

“Hard working New Yorkers are doing everything right - working long hours, raising families, building small businesses and playing by the rules.  Under one-party Democratic rule in Albany, however, those efforts are continually punished by a State government crushing residents and businesses under the weight of failed policies, senseless mandates, high taxes and burdensome regulations which have made our State less safe, less affordable and less competitive.  The result is predictable.  New Yorkers are voting with their feet - taking their talent, economic activity and job-creating power with them to other states.  
 

The Senate Republican “Save New York” Agenda - including the largest personal income tax cut in the history of New York State - is about restoring prosperity, safety, accountability and the American Dream.  We will fight to put this government back on the side of the hard-working men and women who make the Empire State run,” said Senator Steven Rhoads, SD 5th.

 

“The Hudson Valley deserves solutions that make life more affordable and our communities safer. The Senate Republican Conference’s Save New York agenda is focused on delivering real results for hardworking families — easing the cost of living, supporting local businesses and ensuring public safety policies put residents first. This agenda reflects the priorities I hear every day from Hudson Valley families and lays out a clear path toward a stronger, more sustainable future for our region and our state,” said Senator Rob Rolison, SD 39th.
 

“From the economy and energy prices to public safety, Democrat leadership has repeatedly failed our families and businesses. I’m proud to stand with my Senate Republican colleagues in an effort to Save New York. Our robust agenda would immediately make our communities more affordable and safer, as well as ensure our energy grid is more reliable. For too long, one party rule has failed our state. It’s time for a new vision and new policies,” said Senator Dan Stec, SD 45th. 

 

“New York is a beautiful state with amazing and talented citizens. Unfortunately, under one-party rule, it’s become too expensive for many people to afford to live and work in, which has led to a mass escape from New York over the past few years.  Nothing illustrates this clearer than the fact that a recent National Taxpayers Union Foundation study ranks New York number two for interstate migration with someone permanently leaving the Empire State every 2 minutes and 23 seconds. --- only California is seeing greater loss of taxpayers. We need to save New York by holding state government accountable to taxpayers and making it a safer and more affordable place to work and call home,” said Senator Jim Tedisco, SD 44th.
 

“New York is a state rich in potential, yet the misguided priorities of the current leadership have left far too many New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet. It’s time for a change. We must invest in our communities, prioritize public safety, and create opportunities that allow our families to thrive. The future of our state demands policies that reflect our values and support the hardworking people of New York,” said Senator Mark Walczyk, SD 49th.

 

“New York residents are being crushed by some of the highest taxes in the nation, yet our roads are crumbling, public safety is suffering, and essential services like childcare are falling through the cracks. Law enforcement and correction officers are disrespected, while political favoritism determines which districts receive fair treatment. Short-sighted endorsements made for self-preservation—not public safety—are fueling more crime and deeper division. It’s time to put politics aside and Save New York, together. The alternative is continued outmigration and crime at levels our state has never seen before,” said Senator Bill Weber, SD 38th.
 

“Blue state, one-party rule lawmaking is broken down into three steps. Step one is to pass legislation that creates a problem. Once that problem dominates the headlines, step two is to blame the problem on “them,” who are generally defined as Republicans, capitalists, or corporations. Step three is to announce solutions to the problem that will only make the problem worse. Every single problem we are talking about today, especially the outrageous cost of living and lack of economic opportunity driving residents out of our state, can be traced to party-line votes taken by the Democrats during their failed one-party rule of New York. Your new reality is their pie in the sky fantasy agenda come to life. I am proud to stand with the Senate Republican Conference to offer these commonsense solutions to the disastrous one-party rule our state has been subjected to since 2019,” said Senator Alexis Weik, SD 8th.