2026 Advocacy Materials
In advance of the upcoming 2026 state budget and legislative season, NYSSBA has published our official 2026 Legislative Priorities booklet. The document includes a wide range of issues NYSSBA has already begun advocacy on, as well as a variety of topics in line with NYSSBA’s official positions that we feel are impactful to share. The booklet will be delivered to all state legislators, the Governor’s office and other education policymakers in the state.
NYSSBA’s 2026 Legislative Priorities
In addition, NYSSBA has updated our official position statement brochure to include new positions that were adopted by voting delegates during our annual business meeting in October.
NYSSBA’s 2026 Position Statements
Further, NYSSBA has shared our 2026-27 executive budget recommendations with the Governor’s staff and other state policymakers. Recommendations are divided between those with a policy focus and those with more of a fiscal focus. NYSSBA has had, and is having, conversations with elected officials and staff about these recommendations in hopes for inclusion in the 2026-27 state budget.
NYSSBA 2026-27 Executive Budget Policy Recommendations
NYSSBA 2026-27 Executive Budget Fiscal Recommendations
Lastly, we want to provide a reminder about the variety of resources NYSSBA has on our Advocacy website, to keep you informed and to support your local advocacy efforts. Please let us know if we can help you find something or provide you with any additional information.
Become an Advocacy Liaison!
With a new state budget and legislative season nearly upon us, now is a great time to make sure your board has a NYSSBA Advocacy Liaison. The Advocacy Liaison serves as the direct link for sharing important legislative information with board colleagues and helps lawmakers understand the challenges your schools face.
The perks of being an Advocacy Liaison include:
- First to receive invitations to Lobby Days, and Virtual or In-Person meetings with state and federal legislators
- Monthly e-newsletter specifically for Advocacy Liaisons
- Opportunities to attend NYSSBA advocacy events (with Board approval)
- Detailed information to brief your board on NYSSBA advocacy activities
No prior experience is needed, just enthusiasm for advocating on behalf of your board and NYSSBA. Learn more about the NYSSBA Advocacy Liaison program here or by contacting NYSSBA’s Grassroots Advocacy Manager Danielle Grasso at advocacy@nyssba.org.
Member Advocacy Opportunities
February 1-3, 2026 – NSBA National Advocacy Institute
We invite you to join us in Washington, DC for the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Annual Advocacy Institute. The event is focused on advocacy skills and federal priorities along with a Hill Day. Several members of the Governmental Relations Department will be on hand attending sessions and we will be scheduling meetings with members of the New York Delegation. To join us, you can find details here.
Friday, February 6, 2026 – NYSSBA Annual Capital Conference (Virtual)
Sponsored by Utica National Insurance Group
This half-day morning live virtual advocacy conference will feature conversations with state policymakers, a review of the executive budget proposal and other important information to support your local advocacy efforts. As we have done in the past, the event will be recorded and shared with our members.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – NYSSBA Annual Lobby Day (In-Person)
Join us for our annual Lobby Day at the NYS Capitol. We will provide a light breakfast, coffee, and talking points. Legislative meetings are scheduled by attendees.
Congress Passes Whole Milk in Schools Legislation
Since 2012, whole milk and reduced-fat milk have not been permissible components of federal school meals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has required schools to offer fat-free and low-fat (1 percent fat) milk, flavored and unflavored, in reimbursable school lunches and breakfasts.
During NYSSBA’s 2025 Annual Business Meeting this past October, voting delegates from around the state adopted a resolution directing the Association to advocate for the reinstatement of whole milk in school meals. Shortly after Senate passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 in November, NYSSBA distributed a support memo to members of the New York Congressional Delegation, as well as the bill’s sponsor and other national counterparts. On Monday, after weeks of our continued push for the bill to advance in Congress, the House of Representatives passed the legislation. We expect the President to sign the bi-partisan bill into law. NYSSBA is thrilled that one of our positions is on the verge of successful completion just two short months after its adoption.