On Wednesday, Agudath Israel of America held its third 2026 Albany Advocacy Day, with yeshiva leaders and community advocates joining Agudah staff and board members to meet with legislators and push for key initiatives on behalf of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community.

The highlight of the day was a meeting with Governor Kathy Hochul, during which she engaged in a meaningful discussion with Agudah leaders and community representatives about the pressing issues facing the Orthodox Jewish community. Governor Hochul reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to be a voice in pushing backs against rising antisemitism.

The delegation urged her to opt-in to the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) to ensure that New Yorkers can fully benefit from the law and expand educational opportunities for families across the state. Starting in 2027, the FSTC allows individual taxpayers to contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit worth up to $1700. The SGO then pools the funds and distributes scholarships to eligible students for a wide range of K-12 educational expenses including private school tuition. However, in order for SGOs to be approved, the state in which they are located must opt in to the tax credit.

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 to retain the $90 million allocation as proposed in the executive budget.

A key priority was preserving the reimbursement for Mandated Services Aid (MSA), the largest source of nonpublic school funding in New York, which reimburses nonpublic schools for services mandated by the state. During the past two budget cycles, Mandated Services Aid has been underfunded by approximately $20 million, leaving schools unreimbursed for mandated services that the state is legally obligated to cover. Delegates asked for language allowing the release of the funding from the prior shortfall to be released immediately upon passage of the budget. At the same time delegates asked legislators to consider expanding funding for nonpublic school record-keeping of student immunization data to include the entire state, not just the three cities that previously received this allocation

Another important priority was the protection of due process rights for students with special needs to ensure they do not lose vital services because they attend a nonpublic school. To that end, legislators were asked to support important legislation proposed by Assemblymember Robert Carroll and Senator Jessica Scarcell-Spanton which would enshrine this right into law.

Over 25 Senators and Assemblymembers joined the delegation for lunch, hosted by Assemblymember David Weprin (D-24). Many of the legislators addressed the delegates, committing to support New York’s Jewish community.

Delegates met with the offices of Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-12), Assemblymembers Jeffery Dinowitz (D-81), Simcha Eichenstein (D-48), Alec Brook Krasny (R-46), David Weprin (D-24), Kalman Yeger (D-41), Maritza Davila (D-53), Mike Benedetto (D-82), William Colton (D-47), Amy Paulin (D-88), Alex Bores (D-73), Jamie Williams (D-59), Latrice Walker (D-55), Charles Fall (D-61), Sarah Clark (D-136), Al Taylor (D-71), as well as State Senators Julia Salazar (D-18), Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-23), Zelnor Myrie (D-20), Sam Sutton (D-22), Samra Brouk (D-55), Roxanne Persaud (D-19), Brian Kavanagh (D-27), Steve Chan (R-17).