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Riverkeeper reacts to Governor Hochul’s State of the State 2024

Governor Hochul gave her annual State of the State address in Albany, laying out her vision for New York Government in 2024.

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Riverkeeper announces second annual Legislative Agenda – supporting critical opportunities to advance policies that will positively impact the environment for generations

Riverkeeper is proud to announce the release of its second annual New York State Legislative Agenda for the 2024 legislative session, which encompasses a range of legislative and budgetary measures aimed at improving water quality and water infrastructure.

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Riverkeeper reacts to the passage of the Environmental Bond Act

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On Tuesday, November 8, New York voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 1, the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Bond Act of 2022. Funds from the bond act will support capital improvements across the state including vital water infrastructure upgrades, water quality improvements, dam removals, environmental justice projects, and renewable energy all while creating 100,000 good paying jobs. Riverkeeper is a proud member of the Clean Water and Jobs coalition, a 300+ member coalition made up of environmental and conservation groups, labor and healthcare, faith, and good government […]

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Riverkeeper on the passage of the New York State 2023 Budget

Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature have enacted a state budget for the next fiscal year with substantial environmental funding and policy wins. The following are statements from Riverkeeper's President, Tracy Brown and Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Jeremy Cherson.

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Riverkeeper reacts to the passage of the New York State budget

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State leaders passed a budget with a clear focus on protecting clean water and restoring wildlife habitat. The final budget that passed today will continue to make progress through a $500 million Clean Water Infrastructure Act, $300 million Environmental Protection Fund and the approval of a $3 billion environmental bond act ballot initiative set for the November 2022 general election. Riverkeeper Legislative Advocacy Manager Jeremy Cherson responded to the passage of the state budget. “The new funding — including the $3 billion bond act ballot […]

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Riverkeeper reacts to Governor Cuomo’s 2022 Executive Budget

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released the 2022 Executive Budget proposal this afternoon at the state capitol in Albany. In the address, the Governor outlined a clean water and jobs focused budget that will continue to make progress on cleaning up our waterways and protecting wildlife across New York. Riverkeeper Legislative Advocacy Manager Jeremy Cherson responded to two proposals: The Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the Environmental Protection Fund. Clean Water Infrastructure Act “We’re grateful for the Governor’s commitment to water infrastructure funding in this challenging […]

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Riverkeeper statement on the decision not to go forward with the “Restore Mother Nature” Bond Act in November

Riverkeeper issues the following statement from its President, Paul Gallay:  “We are deeply disappointed with the Cuomo Administration’s decision to pull the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act from the November ballot. This Bond Act would have addressed time-sensitive challenges all New Yorkers face in connection with climate change, the need for safe drinking water and growing threats to biodiversity. The sooner the state starts the projects that would have been funded by the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, the better prepared New York will be to meet difficult times ahead. […]

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Riverkeeper reacts to Governor Cuomo’s 2020 Executive Budget

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released the 2020 Executive Budget proposal this afternoon at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

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Statement on environmental priorities in the New York State budget

ALBANY — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New York lawmakers passed their $175 billion state budget including a ban on single-use plastic bags and $500 million in funding for clean water projects that includes repairing and upgrading water infrastructure, protecting drinking water at its source, and responding to sources of toxic contamination such as PFAS and toxic algal outbreaks. Additionally, the Governor and lawmakers rejected the proposed language to raid the Environmental Protection Fund and instead continued to fund the state’s dedicated environmental program at $300 million. The single-use plastic […]

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Congress Rejects Trump’s EPA Budget Cuts

New York – Today, Congress approved the Omnibus spending bill that maintains funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 2017 levels ($8 billion). In addition, the bill includes a $700 million increase for water infrastructure projects. By agreeing to a fully-funded EPA, Congressional leaders not only rejected President Trump proposal, but also earlier versions from Senate and House leaders. Members of the New York Campaign to Save The EPA celebrated the vote, and thanked members of both the House and Senate for siding with public health and the environment. […]

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Tell Gov. Hochul to block invasive species at the Erie and Champlain canals
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