Firefighters Association of the State of New York (2026)

Albany Strategic Advisors secured another win with our longtime client, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), with the passage of S.6233-A (Martinez) / A.6790-A (McMahon), landmark legislation that delivers the first increase to New York's Volunteer Firefighter and Volunteer Ambulance Worker Income Tax Credit since it was created nearly two decades ago. The legislation also removes an outdated restriction that forced volunteers to choose between receiving the state income tax credit or a locally authorized property tax exemption, allowing them to benefit from both incentives for the first time.

From the outset, ASA worked with FASNY to position the legislation not simply as a tax proposal, but as a public safety and workforce issue. Building on the recommendations of FASNY's Volunteer Optimization Legislative Initiative (VOLI), we helped develop a strategy centered on New York's ongoing volunteer recruitment and retention crisis, framing around the premise that strengthening incentives for volunteers is one of the most cost-effective investments the State can make to protect communities.

Throughout the legislative session, ASA coordinated advocacy across both houses of the Legislature, developed supporting materials, informed rank and file and mobilized their efforts in district, organized testimony before the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Public Protection, and worked to build broad bipartisan support. We also helped unify New York's major statewide fire service organizations behind a single message, ensuring lawmakers consistently heard from trusted stakeholders representing volunteer firefighters, fire chiefs, fire districts, and fire coordinators across the state. ASA is proud of our work for this Association of 90,000 volunteer firefighters.

The result was overwhelming bipartisan passage in both the Senate and Assembly of legislation that modernizes a long-stagnant incentive and provides meaningful support to the volunteers who deliver the vast majority of New York's fire and emergency response. The bill now awaits action by the Governor before years end, and Albany Strategic Advisors continues to work with FASNY to advocate persuasively through grassroots activation and elected officials to encourage the Governor to lend her approval to the measure.