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 make the case to the legislature in Albany, and the Governor, that a clean, healthy environment is paramount to quality of life in New York.

The first quarter of each year, we spend a lot of time in conversation with partner organizations and those at the state capitol, working to ensure that money is allocated to important programs that help us in our ongoing efforts to defend the valley.

What's Our Vision?

We are proud that New York ranks in the top three states for spending on environmental initiatives, but we are thinking bigger. We want New York, and especially the Hudson Valley, to set the standard for clean air and water, land protection, environmental justice, and climate resilience.

What's the Status

Despite proposed cuts to critical environmental programs, the FY 2024-25 budget maintains historic funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, State Parks capital improvements, and clean water infrastructure projects across the state.

Scenic Hudson applauds these final state budget provisions:

$400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund with no $25 million “offload,” which would have diverted EPF project monies to underwrite state agency staffing costs
$300 million for State Parks capital improvements
$500 million for clean water infrastructure
Climate and flood resiliency funding
- $250 million from the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act to promote voluntary home buyouts in communities most vulnerable to flooding
- $40 million to launch the Resilient and Ready program, which will support low- and moderate-income homeowners with resiliency improvements and assist with repairs in the event of a catastrophic event
$150 million for NY SWIMS, including funding for the development of a swimming facility at Sojourner Truth State Park
$289,000 to the City of Kingston and $33,000 to the Town of Ulster to address decreased tax revenue from the creation of Sojourner Truth State Park

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 made by the Legislature about how to allocate funds are called appropriations.

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 the coming fiscal year to the state legislature. It is called an executive budget because the governor’s office falls under the executive branch of the state’s government.

Alliance for New York’s Farmland
New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs Coalition
New York Clean Water Coalition
Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing & Conservation
NY is Not Disposable

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

The SFY 2024-25 budget session has just concluded, and we would encourage everyone to thank our elected officials for their support of the many forward-leaning programs funded this year to address our compelling environmental challenges. Call them, email them, or Tweet at them to let them know we appreciate their dedication to protecting our land, water, and air, and vulnerable environmental justice and disadvantaged communities.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL: Email her here, or tweet at her @GovKathyHochul
STATE SENATOR: Find your Senator here
STATE ASSEMBLY: Find your Assembly member here

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

Explore campaigns

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.

Stop Toxic Barges

Commercial shipping is crucial for the Hudson Valley’s economy, but that activity can’t put the water, wildlife, and people of the Hudson Valley at risk.

Stop the Plant

Owners of the Danskammer power plant on the Hudson River in the Town of Newburgh want to replace the current facility — which operates only a few days a year — with a new gas plant that will run nearly all the time.

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 Environmental Justice Protecting Land Connecting Communities Clean Air & Water Climate Solutions