New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul’s Budget Presentation:
Governor Hochul today delivered her first state budget with a bold vision that makes fighting climate change and building resiliently for the future a key focus. It also includes many policies NYLCV has advocated for, including top priorities in this year’s Policy Agenda, that tackle climate change and building emissions, help us move to zero waste, transition to clean school buses, protect wetlands, and invest record funding for the environment.
We are thrilled to support the landmark $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act; as well as a $400 million Environmental Protection Fund, the largest ever investment in the program; another $500 million for clean water infrastructure; and a nation-leading $500 million investment in the offshore wind supply chain and ports. These are major investments in the innovative, green economy of the future.
This budget, along with existing federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and potentially major investments from Build Back Better, puts us in a position to make once-in-a-lifetime progress for the climate and environment. As the Governor said, we have ambitious, realistic, and achievable goals. Putting this budget into action will get us there.
Major Highlights from the Governor’s Budget:
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The $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
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$500 million investment in ports, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure for offshore wind.
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$500 million for water infrastructure.
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A record level of funding, $400 million, for the environmental protection fund.
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$200M for state parks.
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100% electric school buses statewide by 2035, with all new purchases required to be electric starting in 2027, as well as support for zero-emission bus infrastructure, including charging stations, and purchasing or leasing electric buses.
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Electrifying the State Fleet by 2035 with zero-emission vehicles.
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Extender producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging products, and restricting PFAS chemicals and other toxic substances in packaging.
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Enhanced wetlands protections.
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Multiple projects to reconnect neighborhoods that were harmed by environmental racism in highway siting, including the Cross Bronx Expressway.
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The Central Business District Tolling Plan.
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Extension of the Second Avenue subway, support for East Side Access and the LIRR’s Third Track, and creation of the Interborough Express train line to connect Brooklyn and Queens, plus other MTA capital projects that will allow more New Yorkers to get around without cars.
