New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs is a broad coalition formed to demonstrate the vast support for New York environmental funding and programs that protect clean water and air, create jobs, and address the climate crisis.
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORKERS FOR CLEAN WATER AND JOBS REGARDING GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2024
Press Contact: Sheila Webb-Halpern | sheila.webb-halpern@tnc.org
ALBANY, NEW YORK: New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs released the following response to Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:
On the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)
“Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposes to offload $25 million of state agency staff costs into the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Functionally, this reduces funding for projects in communities from $400 million to $375 million. We strongly oppose this proposal. The EPF was never intended to pay for state agency staffing costs. This proposal sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to further program reductions in the future. Similar proposals have been rejected by the Assembly and Senate in the past. We urge the Legislature to reject this new proposal, maintain the integrity of the EPF, and restore the EPF programs that were reduced to pay for this raid.”
On the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA)
“Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposes a 50 percent cut to funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. Since 2017, New York State has appropriated $500 million annually to the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) to upgrade water infrastructure and improve water quality. The Executive Budget proposal provides just $250 million. The coalition strongly opposes this cut. Funding for clean water projects is critical as the state’s water infrastructure is deteriorating and failing with serious consequences. At least $80 billion is needed to repair and update New York’s drinking water and sewer infrastructure. We urge the legislature to commit at least $600 million this year, as a first installment in a new $4 billion commitment to clean water funding over the next five years."
On Capital Funding for State Environmental Agencies
“The Executive Budget proposal includes $200 million in annual capital funding for projects in New York State Parks. In addition, the Governor’s budget provides $100 million for Centennial projects as the state celebrates the 100th anniversary of our world-class State Parks system. We support the proposed centennial funding and ask the Senate and Assembly to include $250 million in annual capital funding in addition to the centennial funding in their one-house budget proposals.”
As budget negotiations get underway, New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs urges the Assembly and Senate to include a $400 million EPF with restored program appropriations and no raid, at least $600 million for clean water infrastructure, and $250 million for State Parks annual capital funding in addition to the centennial funds.