State Reconsiders Massive Cuts to State Parks and the EPF

Help Us Ensure Conservation Funding Survives Final Budget Negotiations

Just after advocates and volunteers from several prominent Long Island environmental groups returned from a one-day advocacy mission to Albany, we learned state leaders decided to reconsider proposed massive cuts in funding for state parks and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). We would not have been successful without the support of over 70 members, who quickly responded to our first action alert e-mail on March 23rd. As final budget negotiations take place, we need your help once more to make a final push for restored funding for state parks and the EPF.

Senate Proposal Saves Parks, Restores EPF, and Calls for Payback of $500 million
The New York State Senate has adopted a budget proposal that would fund the EPF at $222 million for the coming year (maintaining last year’s funding levels), and begin a repayment process to recover nearly $500 million in EPF funds that have been transferred to other non-environmental programs over the last seven years.

Assembly Proposal Increases EPF Funding, Yet Falls $50 million Short of 2009
The New York State Assembly has a budget plan to add $25 million to the EPF and protect parks, but has not yet proposed a payback provision for past raids on the EPF and still leaves the EPF $54 million short of last year’s funding allocation.

Keep Pressure on State Leaders During Final Budget Negotiations
In the coming weeks, the State Legislature will begin intensive negotiations and any progress made could quickly be lost if public pressure is not sustained on key issues. To that end, we urge you to take action today and let the state’s key officials know that you support a fully funded Environmental Protection Fund at $222 million, that you want to see New York State Parks remain open and that you want to see the EPF paid back for the millions it has already given to patch the state budget.  Also, be sure to thank them for all the progress that has been made to date.

TAKE ACTION

E-mail Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver

E-mail Senator John Sampson - Democratic Conference Leader