The 2007 legislative session ended in Albany with several victories for New York's environment. But little progress would have been possible if it weren't for the leadership of six elected officials from around the state who went above and beyond to ensure that New Yorkers can enjoy cleaner air, more open space and a better quality of life.

Those six legislators -- working on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of the Legislature -- have been named Environmental Stars of 2007 by the New York League of Conservation Voters.

They are:

Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-89th District, Westchester County): Bradley sponsored the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act (CPA) and was instrumental in shepherding it through the Assembly. The Hudson Valley CPA authorizes county within the Hudson Valley region to enact a Community Preservation Fund, which will help local communities struggling with overdevelopment to save farmland, retain community character and preserve historic buildings.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-144th District, Erie County). Hoyt sponsored three important bills: the Industrial Development Agency Reform, Smart Growth Infrastructure Act and the Historic Preservation Tax Credit. Although these bills did not pass, the IDA reform and historic preservation credit have an excellent chance of being negotiated and moving forward eventually. As chairman of the Assembly's Local Governments Committee, Hoyt elevated Albany's discussion of smart growth to an unprecedented level.

Senator Vincent Leibell (R-40th District, Dutchess/Westchester/Putnam Counties). Leibell sponsored the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act in the Senate, and worked until the last day of session to ensure that the bill was a priority for his conference and passed the house. He also worked closely with the local governments that were impacted by the new law to ensure that each of them were comfortable with the legislation and passed Home Rule messages.

Senator Carl Marcellino (R-5th District, Nassau/Suffolk Counties). As the Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, Marcellino sponsored legislation to create Global Warming Index Labels, the New York Sea Level Rise Task Force, the New York Climate Change Task Force, the New York Invasive Species Council and led the fight to expand the Environmental Protection Fund by $50 million. By forging a good working relationship with his counterpart on the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee, Marcellino was able to craft and execute an effective environmental agenda.

Senator Dean Skelos (R-9th District, Nassau County). Skelos sponsored a bill to exempt the sale of hybrid vehicles from all state sales taxes. After he pushed the hybrid tax exemption through the senate, he worked with his counterparts to push the legislation through the assembly where it eventually stalled. He also played a critical role in the passage of the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act. His strong support in the final hours of the session was instrumental in its eventual passage.

Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-11th District, Suffolk County). As the newly appointed chairman of the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee, Sweeney sponsored the Environmental Protection Fund Expansion Act, Global Warming Index Labels, the New York State Sea Level Rise Task Force and New York State Climate Change Task Force, and the New York Invasive Species Council. He worked very closely with his counterpart in the Senate to enact effective environmental policy and leave the 2007 session with a record of success.

NYLCV salutes each of the Environmental Stars of 2007 and we look forward to working with them in the coming months.

Newsletter Issue

• 2006 Spring EcoPolitics