New York's state budget process starts this week

And Stefanik says she won't distance herself from President Donald J. Trump.

Good afternoon — It’s Monday and World Science Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• The first conversation on next year’s state budget will be held at the state Capitol this week. Here’s what’s happening.

• U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik said Monday she won’t lean away from her close relationship with President Donald J. Trump in her run for governor.

• The state Assembly is scheduled to hold a hearing in Albany this week.

• A new bill seeks to overhaul how corporations in New York would be allowed to participate in politics.

• Hochul will soon decide if New York will end the option of filing anonymous reports of suspected child abuse.

• This Week in New York History: The first hydropower plant, Mary Walker and streetcars in the city.

Names in today’s CapCon: Elise Stefanik, Kathy Hochul, Donald J. Trump, Mike Lawler, Bruce Blakeman, Blake Washington, Micah Lasher

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Stefanik in early 2024 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

☑️ Stefanik says she won’t shy away from Trump’s support

When U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik released a video to announce her campaign for governor Friday, her critics noted that President Donald J. Trump wasn’t in it.

Stefanik has been a close ally to Trump. She was his first nominee for ambassador to the United Nations this year before that plan was reversed and, as far as we know, they’re aligned on politics and policy as well.

Just in the past three days, it’s become clear that Democrats plan to use that relationship against her in the race, which could also impact down-ballot elections.

That plan was bolstered when Democrats marked several flips from Republicans in local races around the state last week. They’ve viewed those results as a referendum on the first 10 months of Trump’s second term.

But Stefanik said Monday that she won’t distance herself from Trump, who’s also suggested that she could join his administration in the future.