ECO-LOGIC: Greening New York's Budget

ECO-LOGIC

Greening New York’s Budget

What's the Issue?

Every year, New York State passes a budget that includes funding for environmental, community, and climate change initiatives. And each year, as costs increase and other issues clamor for attention and limited dollars, we must again make the case to the Governor and State Legislature that a clean, healthy environment is paramount to quality of life in New York.

In the first quarter of the year, we spend a considerable amount of time talking with partner organizations and lawmakers to ensure that money is allocated to important programs that help us continue to defend the valley.

What's Our Vision?

We are proud that New York is one of the top states in the country when it comes to investing in environmental initiatives, but there is still more to do. We want New York — especially the Hudson Valley — to lead the nation in clean air and water, land protection, environmental justice, and climate resilience.

What's the Status

To achieve these goals for all New Yorkers, Scenic Hudson, along with various coalition partners, supports the following initiatives for the 2026-2027 budget session:

Maintain at least $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) — New York’s only dedicated capital investment program for the environment — and work toward $500 million in the future. Priorities include restoring funding for the Hudson River Estuary, maintaining investments in climate resilient farming, adding dedicated funds for greenway trails, and increasing support for land transfers to the State.
Provide $200 million in capital funds for New York State Parks and increase capital funds for the Department of Environmental Conservation to $100 million. Amidst record-setting park visits, these investments would improve recreational outdoor spaces to protect the environment and people of New York.
Increase the Clean Water Infrastructure Act allocation to $700 million — including $200 million redirected from proposed development projects — to enable New York State to tackle longstanding and emerging threats to clean water and the communities that depend on it.
Include specific language in the state budget to support small-scale solar power and native plants.
Support the Governor’s proposed Sun and Soil Program to fund innovative solutions — such as agrivoltaics — to challenges related to land use, energy, and farm viability.

State Legislature
The New York State Legislature consists of two houses: the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly. The Senate currently has 63 members, and the Assembly has 150 members.

Executive Budget
In New York, the Governor submits a budget plan for each fiscal year to the State Legislature. The current state fiscal year runs from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.

Appropriations
After the governor proposes her executive budget to the New York State Legislature, there is healthy debate and discussion about it. The final decisions about how to allocate funds, made jointly by the Legislature and the Governor, are called appropriations.

KEEP NY GREEN

Become a Valley Defender to get updates and take action to make sure your voice is heard in Albany.

What can you do now?

REACH OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS

Tell your elected officials to support important programs that help us in our ongoing efforts to defend the valley.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL: Email her here, or find her on social media @GovKathyHochul
STATE SENATOR: Find your Senator here
STATE ASSEMBLY: Find your Assembly member here

ATTEND A LOBBY DAY

Throughout the budget process, lobby days are held by various organizations and coalitions to bring diverse and passionate voices to Albany. This is one way to ensure that political leaders in Albany hear directly from the people they represent, about the issues they care about. During a lobby day, you can meet directly with legislators and their staffers to discuss a variety of issues that affect your communities with the help of trained advocates. See below to register for this year’s environmentally-focused advocacy days:

February 24 — Hudson River Advocacy Day (Register)
February 25 — Park Advocacy Day (Register)

ADD YOUR VOICE! We bring the voices of the Hudson Valley directly to the decision makers and policy makers shaping our future.

Explore campaigns

Farms & Food for Life

Helping ensure that everyone has access to healthy food and understands the role farms can play in land conservation and in fighting climate change.

Federal Farm Bill

The U.S. Farm Bill is up for renewal in 2024. We’re making the case to Congressional leaders to include more support for our farms and farmers in the Northeast, and to include climate and environmental justice provisions in the new legislation.

Community Preservation Fund

CPFs allow certain Hudson Valley towns to set up funds to protect the land and historical buildings that maintain their unique identity. Find out if your town qualifies and how to get the support you need to make it happen.

New York Bond Act

The Bond Act, which was passed in November 2022, provides $4.2 billion for environmental and community projects across New York State.

River Access

On both shores of the Hudson, railroad tracks prevent communities from accessing their waterfronts and taking advantage of the river’s recreational, scenic, and economic potential. We must continue to protect and enhance river access for all.

Heal the Hudson

We need sustained citizen action to heal the Hudson River and restore the health and full economic potential of the valley’s most important natural resource.

Committed to Protecting Land Connecting Communities Clean Air & Water Climate Solutions