In one of the few significant environmental victories to come out of the challenging 2010 legislative session in Albany, Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday signed into law the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act.

Suzi Oppenheimer sponsored the bill in the Senate."Sponsored by Sam Hoyt in the Assembly and Suzi Oppenheimer in the State Senate, the new law requires state agencies to evaluate public infrastructure investments based on smart growth criteria. That means infrastructure investments, to the extent practicable, will be made in areas where there is existing infrastructure and open space can be preserved.

An investment in smart, sustainable growth is an investment in the long-term fiscal, economic and environmental sustainability of the state,” Gov. Paterson said. “At a time when I’ve been putting all state spending under a microscope, this bill will promote fiscally sound and economically beneficial investments of taxpayer dollars that will help New York survive and thrive in the new economy.”

The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.This legislation was a key element of the NYLCV Education Fund's 2010 State Policy Agenda. Our thanks to Gov. Paterson, Assemblyman Hoyt and Senator Oppenheimer and all those who supported this effort.