Greater Rochester Chamber Releases Statement on Enacted FY27 New York State Budget
May 28, 2026 (ROCHESTER, NY) – New York State passed its $268 billion FY27 budget on Thursday, May 28. This budget encompasses investments in infrastructure and economic development, childcare and workforce development, affordability measures, and more, all of which hold significant implications for our region's growth and prosperity.
"New York State's enacted budget is one that delivers for Greater Rochester, and for communities like ours across New York State. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and our Greater Rochester delegation for their leadership in crafting a spending and priority plan that addresses New York's ongoing affordability crisis and other pressing needs. Thoughtful decisions to revise the CLCPA to reflect our current reality and support investment and development through SEQRA modernization and regulatory reforms will have significant ramifications all across New York State, helping us to capitalize on the generational opportunity ahead of us,” said Bob Duffy, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “And, investments including $225 million to support the Rochester Monroe Transformation Initiative, $75 million to develop High Falls State Park, and $20 million to pilot universal childcare in Monroe County, will be felt deeply in our local communities across Greater Rochester. We are encouraged at the results of this budget on our region, are eager to continue collaboration and partnership to move our state towards its shared goals.”
As the primary advocate for the Finger Lakes Region’s business community, we are committed to advocating strongly for an environment that promotes the success of our members and of our economy at the local, state, and federal level, and will update our community on what these proposals mean for our region and its businesses.
In the coming days, Greater Rochester Chamber will continue to interpret and analyze the specific impacts of budget decisions on our region and its business community. We were proud to have a voice in key conversations during budget negotiations this year to advocate for our members and their concerns.