Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) today condemned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to veto a critical bipartisan bill—S.7001/A.7616, a long-overdue reform of New York’s nonprofit contracting system. Maher called the veto a devastating setback for the thousands of charitable organizations that provide essential services to New Yorkers every day.

For years, nonprofits have been sounding the alarm about state contracting delays, underpayments, outdated systems and bureaucratic obstacles that disrupt their operations and jeopardize their ability to serve vulnerable populations. The legislation vetoed by the governor was built in direct partnership with frontline organizations and was widely recognized as a realistic, overdue solution to a system that has been broken for decades.

Maher sharply criticized the governor’s decision, emphasizing the bill represented simple, responsible government practice—developed with direct input from frontline nonprofits—rather than sweeping policy changes.

“These were not radical demands; they were basic, good-government reforms that would have finally aligned state practice with state expectations,” Maher said. “Instead, nonprofits and their workers are once again left to operate under impossible contracting processes that delay millions of dollars in reimbursements and make it nearly impossible to serve the New Yorkers who rely on them.”

Nonprofits across the state continue to face immense financial strain, rising demand for services and ongoing federal uncertainty—all while navigating administrative systems that have failed them for decades.

“There are countless nonprofit organizations that choose not to apply for state funding because they know bureaucracy and red tape will leave them with no money to cover payroll while they wait for approved grant funding that takes months or longer to receive,” said Maher.“This is unacceptable, and if these issues can be solved administratively, the governor should be prepared to field calls from my office on behalf of local nonprofits to test her administrative powers.If these issues are not resolved, I will call on my colleagues to once again push for our bipartisan legislation to be passed and signed into law.”

Maher is looking for the governor to demonstrate her commitment to improving this system administratively, as she stated in her veto message. “We expect clear, timely details in her upcoming State of the State Address. Charitable organizations and the people they serve cannot wait”said Maher. “I encourage everyone to keep contacting the governor’s office at (518) 474-8390 to share how urgently these reforms are needed. Our children and our communities deserve better.”