Politics News

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.

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?

Earlier this year, State Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assembly Member Englebright proposed legislation to expand the state's bottle deposit refund program to several types of bottles and cans that are not currently included in the program like wine, liquor, and hard cider bottles.

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.

Late last month, Congress permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the largest public lands bill in a decade, representing a major win for environmentalists and recreatalionists nationwide.

A special election for NYC Public Advocate will occur on February 26th. While NYLCV has decided not to make an endorsement in this race, we reviewed candidates’ records and solicited answers to an environmental questionnaire.

NYLCV President Julie Tighe testified before the New York State Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation's hearing on the Climate & Community Protection Act.