As the new year rang in, it brought with it a new Congress filled with many new, promising faces. Both the state and federal legislatures returned to their respective capitols last week with newly elected members taking their seats.

“2022, marked by adjudicated district lines, high legislator turnover and even a 10-way primary, proved to be a tumultuous year in government with 2023 showing no sign of cooling,” said Kristina Persaud, Director of Governmental Affairs, New York Credit Union Association. “Already proving to be a historic year, this is set to be a contentious year filled with political gridlock, making it that much more important that we speak with a loud, undeterred voice to advance credit union initiatives.”

The New York Credit Union Association wasted no time meeting with policymakers, old and new, to ensure that New York’s credit unions have a voice in government. Last week, the Association met with 14 Congressional offices including eight incoming “freshman” members, both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s staff, and staff from the House Financial Services Committee.

In Albany, Association staff attended State of the State events, meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul, State Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and members of the State Senate and Assembly.

With good initial groundwork laid, the Association will forge ahead to advocate for credit union initiatives both in Albany and Washington. We encourage you to join us in our endeavors. You can register for CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. and the Association’s State Government Affairs Conference in Albany, or reach out to the Association directly.