One of the first pieces of fiscal fallout to hit New York State as a result of the coronavirus pandemic occurred this summer, as Governor Cuomo announced in late July that the $3 billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act will not appear on the November ballot. While the measure will not be under consideration this year, there is still optimism among advocates across the state that the legislature will authorize the bond act again next year and that the state's fiscal situation will allow the state to make these needed investments in our future.

The proposed environmental bond act would have had the state borrow $3 billion to fund environmental projects aimed at stemming causes of climate change and allowing communities across the state to build resilience against the effects of climate change. The initiative would have provided up to $550 million for open space conservation and recreation projects, with the remainder going to restoration and flood risk reduction ($1 billion), climate change mitigation ($700 million), and water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure ($550 million). The bond act would have been the state’s first environmental bond act to pass since 1996.

Legislation passed in April 2020 approved adding the initiative to the ballot for approval from voters. However, in anticipation of potential issues with the state’s fiscal health, a provision was added that allowed the state budget director to remove the act from the ballot if the debt would adversely affect funding available for other previously authorized essential capital projects and essential government services.

Proposed uses for Bond Act funds had included the development of a new park on formerly industrial land in Kingston and the establishment of a linear, water-based park along the Hudson River from Rensselaer to Hudson, creating recreational opportunities for future generations to enjoy, increasing storm resiliency and enhancing the historic Hudson River corridor. Additionally, funding was slated to be used to acquire over 4,000 acres of land to expand seven existing parks, preserving natural environments for future generations.

Parks & Trails New York joined many other organizations across the state in expressing disappointment over the decision to withdraw the Bond Act from consideration, as we viewed the Bond Act as an opportunity to provide a much needed boost to the economy by creating jobs while conserving natural resources and increasing the state’s resilience against the looming threats posed by climate change. However, the Governor’s apparent willingness to reintroduce the proposal in next year’s budget provides some hope for a second try in 2021, and PTNY looks forward to joining with partners across the state to advocate for this immensely important measure next year.

Public funding to protect clean air and water, create local parks, enhance recreation, and conserve natural resources is critical for the health, safety and economic well-being of all New Yorkers. With the $3 billion Environmental Bond Act no longer on the November 2020 ballot, it is imperative that New York maintains state environmental funding.

However, looming budget shortfalls coupled with increased usage mean this coming year will be a challenging one for our public green spaces. In the past, when the state faced financial crises, the environment has repeatedly taken disproportionate funding cuts.

With this in mind, we are gearing up for some hard-hitting advocacy this fall and winter to convince decision makers that environmental funding is essential and must be maintained, even during difficult financial times.

We are particularly focused on protecting the $300 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which annually generates $40 billion in economic activity and supports 350,000 jobs. This coming year protecting the EPF will be even more important, as the projects and programs it funds directly address issues facing the state and local communities as they struggle with impacts from the pandemic and fiscal crisis.

The Parks 2020 Program, which has funded $1 billion in upgrades to New York’s world-class state parks system since 2019, is of equal concern. A study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York reveals every dollar invested in state parks generates $5 of economic activity. During the pandemic, New Yorkers have relied on these parks for recreation and respite during extremely difficult times and it’s imperative that the program continue with robust funding.