New York State Bar Association President Reacts to the Governor’s Budget
1.21.2026
New York State Bar Association President Kathleen M. Sweet issued the following statement on the Governor’s Executive Budget:
“As the New York State Bar Association continues to analyze the 2027 Executive Budget proposals, we commend Governor Hochul for strengthening funding for the Judiciary, proposing to ban illegal homegrown firearms (ghost guns), and protecting the integrity of elections by criminalizing the knowing dissemination of false information intended to mislead voters. These priorities have long been advanced by NYSBA through its task force and committee work, which called for measures to prevent the manufacture and circulation of ghost guns and for stronger penalties to deter deceptive practices that suppress voter participation.
“NYSBA notes that the Executive Budget also includes proposals that present concerns for the legal community, including legislative caps on non-economic damages and the diversion of critical funding from the Office of Indigent Legal Services.
“NYSBA has long opposed statutory caps on non-economic damages in tort actions. The tort system is designed to make victims whole by compensating not only economic losses but also real, though intangible, harms such as pain and suffering. Capping non-economic damages unjustly discriminates against those who suffer the most severe injuries.
“NYSBA is also strongly opposed to the sweep of funding from the Office of Indigent Legal Services that is not related to public defense and calls on the Governor to reconsider this action in the budget amendment process.
“As the budget process moves forward, NYSBA will continue to engage with policymakers and provide balanced, experience-based analysis, guided by our mission to support access to justice and the rule of law.”
For further information on the Report of the NYSBA Task Force on Mass Shootings and Assault Weapons, please click here.
For further information on the Report of the NYSBA Special Committee on Voter Participation, please click here.
