Last weekend, the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo finalized a progressive state budget for Fiscal Year 2020, establishing several important environmental policies including congestion pricing in Manhattan, a ban on carry-out plastic bags, and legislation to reduce food waste in New York.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it will make $85 million available in grants through the Low or No (Low-no) Emission Vehicle Program.

As part of our efforts to advocate for congestion pricing to be included in this year’s state budget, we released new digital tools for state legislators to show their support for fixing our region’s public transportation system while fighting climate change and improving air quality.

To the outrage of groups across the country, the Trump Administration recently released its Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal which slashes funding for important environmental programs and agencies. So what does this mean for New Yorkers?

NYLCV recently joined The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and Moms Clean Air Force as part of the Fix Our Transit Coalition to urge lawmakers in Albany to include a comprehensive congestion pricing plan in this year’s budget. The groups released a fact sheet of numerous environmental and public health benefits that congestion pricing would bring.

In his State of the City Address, Mayor Bill De Blasio revealed his plan for improvements to New York City’s public transportation system, which included steps towards making the City’s buses run faster and expanding the NYC ferry service. Unfortunately, the MTA this month announced that the busway on 14th Street in Manhattan would not continue as originally planned. NYLCV believes that DOT should continue with the busway as originally proposed to accommodate the nights and weekend service changes.