Albany, N.Y., January 26—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, today said that a monthlong series of public hearings on Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026-2027 proposed state budget gets underway this week in Albany.

The first budget hearing is being held on Tuesday, January 27, with an examination of the governor’s Agriculture, and Parks and Recreation proposals. The hearings can be viewed on O’Mara’s state Senate website and on the main Senate website. Archived video of each hearing will be available.   

Conducted jointly by the Senate Finance Committee, and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the forums will examine the governor’s proposals in detail and solicit testimony from state agency officials, public policy and fiscal experts, local government representatives, business leaders, educators, farmers, and other advocates. 

O’Mara has served as the top Republican on the Finance Committee since 2021. He said he looks forward to having a direct voice on the legislative committee most responsible for overseeing the adoption of the state’s annual budget and setting the course for New York’s short- and long-term fiscal practices and responsibilities.

“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. I 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.

The following hearings are scheduled:

January 27, beginning at 12:30 p.m., Agriculture/Parks and Recreation

January 28, 9:30 a.m., Environmental Conservation/Energy

January 29, 9:30 a.m., Elementary and Secondary Education

February 3, 9:30 a.m., Transportation

February 4, 9:30 a.m., Mental Hygiene

February 5, 9:30 a.m., Human Services/Aging

February 10, 9:30 a.m., Health/Medicaid

February 11, 9:30 a.m., Local Government/General Government

February 12, 9:30 a.m., Public Protection

February 24, 9:30 a.m., Higher Education

February 25, 9:30 a.m., Workforce Development/Labor and at 12:00 p.m., Housing 

February 26, 9:30 a.m., Economic Development/Arts and 12:00 p.m., Taxes

O’Mara said, “We need to keep working against a New York State tax and regulatory mindset that puts our businesses and manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, imposes red tape that strangles local economies, or prioritizes higher and higher spending, overtaxing, outrageous mandates, and burdensome overregulation.”