Orange County Chamber to Host State Budget Briefing for Local Businesses

Walter Mosley, commissioner of the New York State Department of State, will address Orange County business owners Monday morning at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, presenting Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 priorities and the state's legislative agenda in a members-only briefing hosted by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 16 at 240 Main Street, Goshen. Mosley's presentation will cover the state's policy initiatives and strategic focus for the year ahead, and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss how those issues may affect businesses and communities across New York. The event is free for Chamber members, with registration available at OrangeNY.com.

The briefing arrives as county officials and Chamber leadership have been navigating the intersection of state and local fiscal policy. Heather Bell, president and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, has been direct about the friction between Albany and county government. "County Executive Neuhaus has a terrific team that works diligently to put together a budget to benefit County residents and businesses," Bell said. "Despite the continuing challenges that the state creates with its unfunded mandates, Neuhaus and his capable administration consistently deliver budgets that prioritize the taxpayers, both individuals and businesses."

County Executive Neuhaus's proposed 2026 budget has drawn praise from his own administration for its scope of investment. Deb Slesinski, director of Orange County's Budget Department, pointed to infrastructure spending and service commitments as evidence of fiscal discipline. "This budget reflects County Executive Neuhaus' commitment to fiscal responsibility, while meeting the needs of our residents," Slesinski said. "The County continues to make strategic investments in infrastructure and services that are helping to keep Orange County strong."

The county's 2026 budget includes a range of new programs. On transportation, the county launched the GoGoGrandparent ride service for seniors, with a GoGoVeterans equivalent in development. A new summer internship program has been created for high school and college students, while mental health services for first responders have been expanded through peer counseling and the appointment of the county's first Peer Support Coordinator. The county also hosted its first Cybersecurity Summit and has helped preserve more than 125,000 acres of open land. Two significant acquisitions are also moving forward: Camp LaGuardia, which will become a new county park, and the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, which will become a county-owned venue.

Monday's state-level briefing gives Chamber members a timely window into how Albany's agenda may shape the operating environment for Orange County businesses in the months ahead. Registration is open at OrangeNY.com.