Will Barclay, a member of the New York State Assembly and leader of the Assembly Republican Conference, shared several policy positions on social media on January 8, 2026. His posts highlighted his conference’s legislative priorities for the year and called for action on issues such as childcare and criminal justice reform.
In a post published at 18:59 UTC, Barclay introduced the conference’s legislative agenda by stating, “Our 2026 policy agenda is more than just a name (Fight for New York), it is our Conference’s unwavering belief in legislative action that can put this state back on the right path”.
Later that day at 19:42 UTC, Barclay addressed childcare concerns in New York State. He wrote, “Would urge the governor and the Legislature to consider the @NYS_AM ‘A Blueprint for Childcare’ plan, which offers a more comprehensive approach to childcare issues for both families and providers, including costs and access”.
At 21:10 UTC on January 8, Barclay commented on criminal justice policies affecting young offenders. He stated, “It’s obvious to Republicans, parents and prosecutors that Raise the Age isn’t working. We have introduced reforms directly intended to fix this wrong, starting with holding the most violent and dangerous youthful offenders accountable.”
Barclay has served as Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly since January 2020. The “Raise the Age” law was enacted in New York in 2017 to change how youth aged 16-17 are treated in the criminal justice system; critics have argued about its effectiveness while supporters say it protects minors from adult incarceration. Childcare affordability and accessibility remain key topics within state policy debates as lawmakers seek solutions that support working families across New York.