February 26, 2026
Outlook: Mid-30s, cloudy with chance of flurries
LEAD STORY: Rep. Lawler's Housing Agenda — Development, PFAS, and Politics
Rep. Mike Lawler introduced three new housing bills this week, signaling a major legislative push on a topic central to Westchester's affordability crisis. The three measures tackle different aspects of housing barriers, but it's the third that has immediate local implications: the Superfund Area Facts and Exposure Act, which would require the GAO to study homes within one mile of federally designated contamination sites.
Why it matters: The Amawalk Reservoir in northern Yorktown is contaminated with PFAS at 4.6 parts per trillion—above the federal limit of 4 ppt. That contaminated water system serves 95,000 Westchester residents. At the same time, developer Suelain Realty is proposing the Granite Pointe subdivision with 23 homes bordering that same reservoir. Lawler's bill could provide critical data on exposure risks.
The other two bills address zoning transparency (H.R. 7597) and housing for elderly and disabled residents (H.R. 7596). Lawler also celebrated House passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act, which passed 390-9 with bipartisan support and includes his Section 8 voucher reform.
The political backdrop: Lawler is one of only three Republicans holding seats in districts that voted for Vice President Harris in 2024. NY-17 is a swing district, and eight Democrats are now competing in the June 23 primary to challenge him for reelection. Whether these bills are pure policy solutions or part of a reelection messaging strategy—the answer is probably both.
Listen to the full story on The Westchester Brief.
QUICK HITS
Essential Plan Coverage Cliff: Starting July 1, New York will eliminate $7.5 billion in annual federal Essential Plan funding. Approximately 470,000 New Yorkers—many lawfully present immigrants—will lose zero-premium coverage. Replacement marketplace plans cost up to $250/month with $2,500 deductibles. Open Door Family Medical Centers, which serve 60,000+ low-income patients in Westchester, are preparing for a surge in uninsured patients.
NY-17 Primary Heats Up: Eight Democrats are now competing in the June 23 primary to challenge Rep. Lawler. Key candidates include Cait Conley (former CISA official and Army veteran), Beth Davidson (endorsed by Mondaire Jones), and Jessica Reinmann (914Cares founder). The Feb. 14 party enrollment deadline was the last chance to switch parties for the primary.
SALT Cap Increases to $40,400: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raised the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,400 for 2026. For households earning $250,000 with $25,000 in property taxes and $14,000 in state income tax, that's roughly $7,000-$8,500 in annual federal tax savings. Households earning $600,000+ receive zero relief. The provision sunsets after 2029.
Tariffs Exceed Tax Cut Benefits: A New York Federal Reserve study confirms that 90% of tariff costs are borne by U.S. consumers. The Tax Foundation estimates tariffs will cost households $1,300 in 2026—more than the estimated $1,000 tax cut benefit. The average effective tariff rate is 13.5%, the highest since 1946. The NYC metro area, including Westchester, faces approximately $4,200 in added annual costs.
ONE MORE THING
With the Essential Plan changes and tariff impacts hitting household budgets, we want to hear from you: What's the biggest financial pressure on your family right now? Reply to this email or send us a message on Instagram. Your stories help us understand what matters most to Westchester families.
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