Joint Statement from NYCETC & NYATEP on the FY 2027 Executive Budget

Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027 underscores the growing responsibility New York now bears as the federal government scales back its role in supporting critical investments. Against the backdrop of Washington’s disinvestment in our state, estimated to be $10.3 billion in federal operating funds, the budget offers a measured and fiscally responsible framework that protects core systems New Yorkers rely on. It preserves New York’s commitment to systems that sustain families and communities through investments in K-12 and higher education, childcare, and Medicaid.

We particularly commend the Governor’s pledge to expand childcare—an economic force multiplier that helps more parents join the labor force with confidence—as well as increased support for postsecondary access and career readiness at CUNY and SUNY through current and newly proposed initiatives such as Reconnect and New York Career Connect.

As the budget process and legislative session unfold, we urge state legislators—together with Governor Hochul—to build on this foundation by translating high-level commitments into sustained, coordinated workforce investments that deliver real support for New York’s workers, jobseekers, and employers. The State of the State address and Executive Budget proposal mark an important starting point, but they must be paired with long-term strategies.

In the face of diminishing federal funds, state leaders must step forward to protect and advance New York’s jobseekers, workers, and employers. This session must move beyond one-year budget decisions toward sustained, coordinated investments that strengthen workforce systems, reduce fragmentation, and create lasting pathways to economic mobility in communities across the state.

—Gregory J. Morris, Chief Executive Officer of New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) and David Fischer, Interim Executive Director of New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP)

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