Make no mistake: Assemblymember Brian Maher (R-101) is a Republican and supports significant parts of former President Trump’s agenda. But when you look closely at his priorities in the New York State Assembly, it’s clear he is also a strong proponent of increased funding for key infrastructure tied to human services, highways, and education.

While the outcome of the 2025–26 state budget is still being negotiated in Albany, the 39-year-old Maher played a key role in shaping the Assembly’s $257 billion budget resolution. In an interview with The Overlook, Maher expressed pride in helping ensure the budget includes a 7.8% cost-of-living salary adjustment for thousands of direct support professional (DSP) positions—essential human services jobs in mental health, addiction counseling, and support for people with disabilities.

“We are losing great people who believe in the work they do. Yet the state has not adequately funded these positions for many years, and our nonprofits are getting screwed,” Maher said.

According to Maher, state funding for the DSP program is distributed to counties, which then contract with local nonprofit providers. In The Overlook Region (TOR), there are hundreds of DSP jobs.

A Montgomery resident, Maher was first elected in 2022 after previously serving as town supervisor and mayor of the village of Walden.

His Assembly district spans six counties—Delaware, Madison, Orange, Otsego, Sullivan and Ulster—due to the 2022 redistricting. While most Ulster County residents are represented by Democrat Sarahana Shrestha, those in western and southern Ulster are represented by Maher. His district includes parts of TOR, stretching from Shandaken west into Delaware County. Maher ran unopposed in the 2024 election, after defeating Democrat Matthew Mackey in 2022 with 56% of the Ulster County vote.

During our conversation, Maher reflected on the early weeks of Trump’s second term. While he acknowledged concerns about “feeling certain pinches” from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he praised the administration’s stance on immigration, spending cuts, and last week’s executive order “to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to states and communities.”

Maher believes fewer federal mandates and greater local control over education are essential. He also supports efforts to change how schools are funded in New York.

“I’d like to see New York move away from relying on property taxes to fund schools and instead rely on a mix of sales and income taxes. In doing so, every New Yorker would get a massive tax break,” he said.

When asked whether he believes blue states like New York are being targeted by the Trump administration, Maher said it’s less about how states voted and more about the policies they enact.

“The president has made it very clear that he cares about the lives of children and families,” he said.

Maher added that when he has concerns about federal actions, he has “happily communicated with the administration and members of Congress, and they have been very open-minded.”

Turning back to the state budget, Maher noted that the Assembly’s proposal includes $250 million in additional funding for highways and winter storm recovery. That money would flow through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). Since 87% of New York’s roads are state-owned and maintained, Maher said, “You probably drove on at least one of them on your way to work, school, or the store today.”

He hopes the increase remains in the final budget, noting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal included no such bump. Maher said his Hudson Valley/Catskills district—part of the Department of Transportation’s Region 8—needs $100 million annually for basic road and bridge maintenance.

“What’s getting done now is patchwork, and that makes no sense long-term,” he said.

Another of Maher’s top priorities is increasing the reimbursement rate for the state’s universal pre-K program to $10,000 per child.

“This is a big issue for our families,” he said, adding that he also supports expanding the free universal school meals program to reach every student in his district. Currently, about 85% of students are covered.

“The school meals program is so important to our kids, and it creates less opportunity for bullying because it discourages the shaming that sometimes happens,” said Maher, who noted he has partnered with other TOR legislators—Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, D-103rd District, and State Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D-Saugerties)—on what he called “bipartisan common-sense issues.”

On the topic of political civility, Maher said he strives to set an example of respectful discourse—something he learned from working for the late state Sen. William Larkin Jr. (R-New Windsor).

“My number one responsibility as a member of the Assembly is to make meaningful relationships with my Democratic colleagues. You can disagree, but we need to hear each other out,” he said.

Other highlights from our conversation included:

• Congestion pricing: Maher supports eliminating the program in New York City. “This is nothing more than a new tax to support the failing MTA, which loses $800 million annually due to fare evasion,” he said. He instead called for incentives to reduce vehicle traffic, especially for essential workers like police and firefighters who commute into the city.
  
• Medicaid cuts: Maher urged caution on pending federal budget cuts that could affect Medicaid. “We have a very imperfect health care system, but let’s see the full picture before we jump to react,” he said, criticizing partisan rhetoric and media sensationalism.
  
• Inflation refund: Maher said he supports the governor’s plan to send $300 checks to most individuals and $500 to families—though he called it a “gimmick.” Still, he added, “I would never oppose giving taxpayers money back they have already paid.”
  
• 2026 governor’s race: Maher said he supports Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who is expected to seek the Republican nomination for governor and potentially challenge Hochul.
  
• Corrections officer firings: Maher blasted Hochul’s attempt to fire 2,000 corrections officers who participated in a 22-day strike at state prisons. He called the move “immoral and horrifying,” especially in light of her proposal to bar them from future public employment.
  

In the coming weeks, The Overlook will profile additional state and federal representatives to offer readers deeper insights into their priorities and perspectives.

Scott Widmeyer is co-founder of The Overlook. Reach him at scott@theoverlooknews.com.