Scenic Hudson Praises Governor Hochul for Maintaining Environmental Investments in Proposed Budget
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Ned Sullivan, President, 914 489 4630, nsullivan@scenichudson.org
Andy Bicking, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy,
914 489 1568, abicking@scenichudson.org
HUDSON VALLEY — Scenic Hudson today praised Governor Kathy Hochul for a strong budget proposal that maintains the historically high levels of investment that many environmental programs received last year. The budget includes programs that will support Scenic Hudson’s work to preserve land and create parks that connect all people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River and provide myriad health benefits.
Important aspects of the budget proposal include:
- $200 million for State Parks capital improvements (a reduction from current-year budget levels)
- $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund
The governor’s budget proposal also includes funding for a new Cap-and-Invest program that will establish a gradually declining annual cap on the amount of greenhouse gas pollution in New York. This proposal, along with others including the proposal to make state parks energy-independent, will advance groundbreaking renewable energy and emissions-reduction goals outlined in the state’s Climate Scoping Plan.
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “Governor Hochul’s proposed budget delivers a win for the environment, maintaining robust funding to promote climate-resilient agriculture, protect open space, and encourage smart renewable energy development throughout the state. It provides funding that will help shepherd our region into an era of greater environmental quality and equity. While we’re thankful for the governor’s appropriation of $200 million for State Parks capital improvements, we feel that it is important to maintain last year’s level of $250 million to sustain New York’s national leadership in connecting people with nature and meeting diversity and inclusion goals. I look forward to working with the governor and her staff to secure support in the state Legislature for investments critical to ensure New York’s healthy, prosperous future.”
Director of Government Relations and Public Policy Andy Bicking said, “Governor Hochul’s budget proposal maintains New York’s leadership on the environment. We are already seeing more significant storm events and extreme temperatures throughout our state and rising sea levels along our shores, and we must act now to mitigate the potential for further severe impacts of climate change. At the same time, visitation to parks and public spaces remains high, and we must ensure this infrastructure is maintained. In response, the governor’s budget includes forward-thinking environmental programs, creates a new ‘cap and invest’ program, and sustains our state parks system. With the recent passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this budget can utilize these matching funds to start chipping away at the increasing need for environmental project funding. I look forward to reviewing the proposal and advocating in the Legislature for environmental priorities that will benefit all New Yorkers.”
