Gov. Kathy Hochul, center, is pictured with a number of New York state mayors including Kate Wdowiasz from Dunkirk at right.

ALBANY — Mayors of the City of Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Middletown, Dunkirk, and Niagara Falls traveled to the Capitol yesterday to advocate for inclusion of the Governor’s auto insurance proposals in the fiscal year 2027 State Budget.

The Mayors met with key members of the New York State Senate and Assembly to discuss the importance of the proposals, which will save money for everyday New Yorkers. Additionally, they discussed the importance of the proposals to municipalities, which will achieve savings both directly on their municipal vehicles and indirectly on the vehicles of contracted providers. The Mayors also highlighted the importance of the reforms to local small businesses and nonprofits, many of whom rely on vehicles to deliver goods and provide services.

New York drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation, paying more than $4,000 on average toward annual insurance premiums. These high premiums are a result of outdated and anomalous laws that enable fraud and encourage expensive litigation and put New York out of step with other states. Hudson Valley and Western New York communities need the Governor’s common-sense reforms that will align New York with other states, preserve the ability of victims to get the justice they deserve and crack down on the major drivers of auto insurance costs.

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said, “Dunkirk families and businesses are being squeezed by some of the highest auto insurance costs in the country. The Governor’s reforms are practical steps that will lower costs for our residents, reduce expenses for our city fleet, and support the small businesses and nonprofits that rely on vehicles every day. We went to Albany to make it clear: these changes are essential for communities like ours.”