Manufacturing Advocacy Day 2026: A Pro-Manufacturing Agenda for New York
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
On February 24th, MACNY and our Manufacturers Alliance partners from across New York State traveled to Albany to advocate for policies that will strengthen, grow, and sustain manufacturing in our state.
The opportunity before us is extraordinary. From semiconductor expansion and advanced manufacturing reshoring to supply chain realignment and workforce development, New York has the potential to lead. However, what happens in Albany directly affects whether that opportunity becomes reality.
More than 60 manufacturing and business leaders joined us this year. Their participation demonstrates a deep commitment to shaping policy rather than reacting to it. Advocacy matters. Legislators need to hear directly from employers about how policy decisions affect hiring, expansion, pricing, and long-term investment decisions. Real-world examples carry weight.
During our visit, we conducted over 30 meetings with legislators and senior staff. Our priorities were clear: competitive tax policy, modernized labor and HR regulations, sustained investments in workforce development initiatives such as MACNY’s Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs, and practical implementation of energy policy.
One immediate issue is tax compliance with federal immediate expensing provisions. Manufacturers make long-term capital investments in equipment, technology, automation, and facilities. Federal immediate expensing allows companies to deduct those investments up front, improving cash flow and encouraging reinvestment. New York must not decouple from these provisions. Decoupling would increase effective tax burdens, discourage capital formation, and send a negative signal to manufacturers deciding where to invest and expand. Alignment with federal expensing provisions is a necessity for competitiveness.
Equally critical is maintaining an affordable, reliable, and diverse energy grid. Manufacturing is energy-intensive. Advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, and other industrial processes will only increase electricity demand in the coming years. Policy must ensure that reliability remains paramount and that energy costs remain competitive with those of other states. A diverse energy mix — including renewables, nuclear, natural gas, and emerging technologies — provides resilience and stability. Manufacturers can’t operate effectively in the face of price volatility or grid instability. Economic growth and climate goals must move forward together.
Workforce development remains another cornerstone of our advocacy. Programs like the Registered Apprentice Program, as well as our Real Rosies® and Advance 2 Apprenticeship®, are producing measurable results by connecting individuals to meaningful manufacturing careers, while helping companies meet their talent needs. Continued and expanded state investment in apprenticeship, technical education, and upskilling is essential if we’re to meet the demands of large-scale projects and organic manufacturing growth across the state.
As manufacturing and business leaders, we can’t sit on the sidelines. MACNY is committed to leading statewide advocacy efforts, but success depends on member engagement. Throughout the remainder of the legislative session, we encourage participation in both in-person and virtual meetings with policymakers. Facility visits, roundtables, and direct conversations allow elected officials to see firsthand the scale, innovation, and economic impact of manufacturing in their districts.
Bill Brower, our Director of Public Policy and Community Impact, and Courtney Kless, our Government Relations Specialist, continue to coordinate these efforts. In my roles as President & CEO and Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, I remain focused on advancing a pro-manufacturing, pro-investment agenda for Central New York and the entire state.
Manufacturing drives economic prosperity. It supports millions of New Yorkers, strengthens communities, anchors supply chains, and creates upward mobility. With the right policies — competitive tax alignment, smart workforce investment, streamlined regulation, and a reliable, affordable energy system — New York can lead the next era of American manufacturing growth.
The opportunity is here. Now we must ensure policy aligns with progress.