New York Assembly members are back in Albany to mark the start of the 2026 legislative session. This year, the state budget and affordability are front and center. The budget is due in March, and lawmakers will have to navigate a $4 million gap in federal support to fund state programs creating challenges in the healthcare and energy sectors.For the start of the session, 114th and 115th district Assemblymen Matt Simpsons and Michael Cashman said their top priority is affordability for the northern part of the state. Cashman has already proposed two bills to work toward this goal. The first bill would cap fees that electric companies can charge, and audit companies to lower utility bills. The second bill suggests regional approaches to electrification, so each region can work towards the state’s clean energy goals in a way that’s feasible. “Making sure that the companies, aren’t charging excessive fees, and that executives aren’t taking advantage of the fee structures … The current electrification goals for New York state will not work here in the North Country. So, we need to create a framework that works, for anything that the state is looking to implement,” aid Cashman.In a statement, Simpson echoed Cashman’s sentiment. “The legislature needs to focus on making everyday life more affordable for New Yorkers.. That starts with lowering the cost of energy and taking a realistic approach to electrification,” he said.Gov. Kathy Hochul will announce her policy goals next week on Jan. 14, during her State of the State address in Albany. These will include changes to state healthcare and expansion of the child tax credit. NBC5 will be covering the State of the State address live and will provide detailed analysis.

ALBANY, N.Y. —

New York Assembly members are back in Albany to mark the start of the 2026 legislative session. This year, the state budget and affordability are front and center. The budget is due in March, and lawmakers will have to navigate a $4 million gap in federal support to fund state programs creating challenges in the healthcare and energy sectors.

For the start of the session, 114th and 115th district Assemblymen Matt Simpsons and Michael Cashman said their top priority is affordability for the northern part of the state.

Cashman has already proposed two bills to work toward this goal. The first bill would cap fees that electric companies can charge, and audit companies to lower utility bills. The second bill suggests regional approaches to electrification, so each region can work towards the state’s clean energy goals in a way that’s feasible.

“Making sure that the companies, aren’t charging excessive fees, and that executives aren’t taking advantage of the fee structures [is important] … The current electrification goals for New York state will not work here in the North Country. So, we need to create a framework that works, for anything that the state is looking to implement,” aid Cashman.

In a statement, Simpson echoed Cashman’s sentiment.

“The legislature needs to focus on making everyday life more affordable for New Yorkers.. That starts with lowering the cost of energy and taking a realistic approach to electrification,” he said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul will announce her policy goals next week on Jan. 14, during her State of the State address in Albany. These will include changes to state healthcare and expansion of the child tax credit.

NBC5 will be covering the State of the State address live and will provide detailed analysis.