Monday, marked the launch of Agudath Israel of America’s Albany advocacy day series with a delegation from the Hudson Valley region visiting the State Capitol. Constituents traveled from Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties to meet with their legislators and discuss issues of importance for the upcoming legislative session.

At the forefront of the agenda was the issue of rising antisemitism. New York is home to the largest population of Jews in the United States, and with over 500 Jewish schools, is unfortunately no stranger to antisemitism. The statistics are sobering, and fresh stories continue to litter our newsfeeds.

Agudath Israel is proud to support S.8599/A.9335, legislation establishing a buffer zone in front of houses of worship to ensure safe and unobstructed access. The enactment of this legislation would ensure that individuals can enter houses of worship without violence or intimidation. While 25 feet is a meaningful first step, we encourage continued legislative efforts to expand safeguards.

One of the most helpful tools for ensuring children’s security is the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant (NPSE) program which reimburses nonpublic schools in New York State for certain safety and security equipment and services. Agudah advocates encouraged all the legislators they met with to support the proposal from New York Governor Kathy Hochul to fund the NPSE at $90 million in her Executive budget.

Other priorities included securing an increase in funding for nonpublic school recordkeeping of student health data, which was previously funded at just $1 million, far below the estimated $11. million required statewide; reaffirming due process protections for students with special needs to ensure they do not lose vital services because they attend a nonpublic school; and preserving the reimbursement for Mandated Services Aid, the largest source of nonpublic school funding in New York, which reimburses nonpublic schools for services mandated by the state.

Finally, the legislators were informed how Rockland County is now facing a critical funding shortfall that has left eligible families without access to childcare assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

The delegation met with Assemblymembers Scott Bendett (R-107), Karl Brabenec (R-98), Chris Eachus (D-99), Paula Kay (D-100), Dana Levenberg (D-95), Aron Wieder (D-97), and Senators Peter Harckham (D-40), Shelley Mayer (D-37), Peter Oberacker (R-51), and Bill Weber (R-38). Meetings were also held with staff for Assemblymembers Patrick Carroll (D-96), Brian Maher (R-101), and Senators Michelle Hinchey (D-41), and James Skoufis (D-42).

The post Agudath Israel Begins 2026 Albany Advocacy Days with Hudson Valley Visit appeared first on Monsey Scoop.