The following article is from the February 2007 issue of
In December, the League set forth a bold 100-day agenda for Governor Eliot Spitzer. The agenda reflects some of the state's most pressing environmental concerns -- ones we believe resonate with all New Yorkers.
The agenda contains action steps the governor should take to set Albany on the right course for moving the state's environmental agenda. They fall under six major issue areas: fighting climate change [0]; tackling New York's energy challenges [0]; supporting environmental programs [0]; committing to environmental justice [0]; promoting statewide smart growth-led economic development [0]; and reducing traffic congestion and pollution [0].
Read the full agenda HERE [0].
In his January 31 executive budget proposal, Governor Spitzer put forward an environmental agenda that addresses nearly all of the League's priority issues. The governor laid out a new smart growth strategy that will help foster economic growth in upstate urban centers, curb extensive suburban sprawl, and protect farming and farmlands. Budget highlights on smart growth were:
- $2 million for smart growth programs
- $5 million increase over last year to preserve farmland
- A commitment of 25 percent of funding for local parks and waterfront redevelopment to go to underserved communities
- $300 million to ESDC for an upstate New Investment Fund, which would provide support for green industry, renewables, and clean technology
- $500,000 in the agriculture and markets budget to open a NYC wholesale market using locally grown food
The governor's budget also proposed a bold new plan for environmental funding. It calls for an update of the bottle bill and the expansion of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by at least $100 million over two years.
Other important new budget items that could help move the environmental agenda were:
- Creation of a new climate change office at DEC to implement and expand RGGI
- Bolstering the capacity of DEC, OPRHP, and the Adirondack Park Agency by restoring 166 staff positions
- Including $2.2 billion in the MTA operating budget to offset the need for fare increases
While Governor Spitzer earned high marks on his budget, the League is taking its 100-day agenda seriously, and in April, we'll be measuring progress on how well it is being addressed.