
How does Ostroff Associates differ from other government affairs firms?
Ostroff Associates uses a true team-based model for every client, bringing together professionals with complementary expertise in legislation, budget advocacy, and communications to support your priorities from multiple angles. Our team members dig deep into each client’s issues to learn the operational details, financial pressures, and sector-specific nuances so that we can anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and deliver the most substantive, informed advocacy possible.
In addition to our client-facing teams, Ostroff Associates is supported by a robust infrastructure of legislative analysts who track hearings, monitor legislative activity, and conduct in‑depth policy and fiscal research for every engagement. This behind‑the‑scenes capacity allows our professionals to move quickly, brief clients and policymakers with precision, and stay ahead of fast‑moving developments.
We also maintain dedicated lobbying compliance support to help clients navigate New York’s regulatory environment with confidence. This includes proactive guidance and assistance to ensure that registrations, reports, and related filings meet the requirements of the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, reducing risk while allowing clients to stay focused on their advocacy goals.
What kind of clients does Ostroff Associates work with?
Our clients range from some of the largest Fortune 500 companies to small regional trade associations and community‑based organizations, including many facing particularly complex, high‑stakes policy and regulatory challenges. We are actively involved in nearly every sector of industry, including economic development, education, energy, entertainment, healthcare and behavioral health, human services, manufacturing, real estate, technology, and transportation.
We work across all levels of government, federal, state, and local, to provide clients with comprehensive coverage for their government affairs needs, from intricate budget and regulatory matters to multi‑agency initiatives that require careful coordination and long‑term strategy. This breadth allows us to support organizations whose issues cut across sectors, statutes, and jurisdictions, and who need a partner capable of navigating that complexity effectively.
When is the New York State legislative session?
The 2026 Legislative Session begins on Wednesday, January 7th and is scheduled to end on Thursday, June 4th. Governor Kathy Hochul will host her annual State of the State address on Tuesday, January 13th. Establishing the State’s fiscal plan is one of the most important tasks that legislators and the Governor undertake each year. The Executive Budget must be submitted by Tuesday, January 20th. The Senate and Assembly will release their One-House Budgets in response to the proposed Executive Budget in the first or second week of March. The finalized State Budget is tentatively due by April 1st, but that deadline can be extended if more time is needed for negotiations. A link to the 2026 Legislative calendar can be found at: https://nyassembly.gov/leg/calendar/
When is the best time to engage policymakers?
At Ostroff Associates, we believe in developing a year‑round strategy for engaging key stakeholders. Although most policy decisions are made during the January–June legislative session, development of the state financial plan and the Governor’s policy agenda often occurs in the off‑session months. As a result, the most effective advocacy usually starts before the legislative session begins in January, and we work with the Legislature and Executive Branch throughout the year to position our clients for success at every stage. Importantly, it is never too late to engage; even when issues surface unexpectedly or late in the process, we help clients assess their options, mitigate risks, and identify realistic paths for influence.