Albany, N.Y., January 27—State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C--Big Flats), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, said that joint Senate-Assembly hearings on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026-2027 New York State budget get underway today with a review of the governor's proposals for Agriculture, and Parks and Recreation.

Tuesday's forum kicks off a monthlong schedule of joint Senate-Assembly hearings on the proposed budget. See the full schedule HERE. 

Today's hearing on Agriculture/Parks and Recreation can be viewed HERE beginning at 12:30 PM.

Archived videos of each hearing will be available following each of the upcoming hearings.

During the hearings members of the Legislature’s fiscal committees will hear testimony from top Hochul administration officials, state agency heads, local leaders, and representatives of the wide range of stakeholders impacted by the state’s annual budget.

“Senate Republicans will continue to be a voice for lower taxes, less regulation, greater accountability, affordability, economic growth, job creation, and more common sense on state fiscal practices. We welcome the start of this year’s budget hearings, at this critical time, for direct input and critique on a range of policy areas that will decide the short- and long-term future and strength of our local communities and economies,” said O’Mara, who represents the 58th Senate District comprised of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, and a part of Allegany County.