Albany, N.Y., January 28—State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C--Big Flats), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, is joining legislative colleagues in Albany for what will be a monthlong series of joint Senate-Assembly hearings on Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026-2027 New York State budget. 

Wednesday's hearing is examining the governor’s specific proposals for environmental conservation and energy, which include some of the most hot-button challenges confronting New York. State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton testified and faced questioning from legislators on a range of concerns and issues, particularly on the “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, that continues to drive the state’s overall energy strategy.

From the outset, Senator O’Mara has been an outspoken critic of the CLCPA mandates and timelines, frequently warning that they are not affordable, feasible, or reliable for New Yorkers.  

At today’s hearing, he again asked why the Hochul administration is not putting forth specific proposals to revise the current CLCPA mandates and timelines.

“The (State Energy Plan) doesn’t recommend any changes to the CLCPA, any changes to the timeframes, any real plan on how we’re going to get from here to there. There hasn’t been a plan all along, since the beginning of the CLCPA,” Senator O’Mara said. “The issue has always been: There isn’t a plan. There’s only some goals.”

The senator went on to note that “it’s becoming increasingly clear to New Yorkers, every month in their utility bills” that the current CLCPA mandates and timelines are not affordable, realistic, or reliable. He continued to call for actions to revisit the CLCPA and revise or eliminate altogether current mandates like the All-Electric School Bus mandate and All-Electric Buildings Act, among others.

Watch Senator O'Mara's questioning at today's hearing HERE.

Senator O'Mara has served as the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee since 2021. 

"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 Senator O’Mara, who represents the 58th Senate District comprised of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, and a part of Allegany County. 

Read more and find the full hearings schedule on www.omara.nysenate.gov.