Governor Paterson Announces Legislature Accepts Spending Reductions to Fully Fund Parks

ALBANY, NY (05/27/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced that an agreement has been reached with the Legislature to ensure there are sufficient revenues to maintain operations at all New York State parks and historic sites, including all Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills. The agreement with the Legislature achieves $74 million in State General Fund savings and contains Governor Paterson's E-waste Program Bill.

"I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to reopen the 55 State parks and historic sites that were closed earlier this month. In addition, we are providing critical funding for clean air and water programs and implementing a new program to better manage the disposal of E-waste that I proposed and have fought for," Governor Paterson said. "We still have much work ahead of us, however, as we continue our effort to reduce spending and address the deficit through a responsible enacted State budget."

Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson said: "State Parks are part of our history and our future. Families depend on parks for recreation, and as the economic engine that drives our tourism industry, New York depends on them for its economy. Senate Democrats are fulfilling our promise to keep parks open for New York's families. I commend Governor Paterson, Speaker Silver, and my legislative colleagues for standing up for our parks and the families who use them."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: "These are tough times and many families are still struggling to make ends meet and can't afford lavish vacations. Our parks give them the opportunity to stay close to home and enjoy all that our State has to offer. It is time to resolve this issue immediately and give the people of New York State their parks back."

The agreement reached with the Legislature includes:

• Achieving $74 million in General Fund savings by reducing the amount of Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) revenues to be deposited into the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by $80 million, utilizing $6 million of RETT funds to provide for the operation of 55 State parks and historic sites that had previously been closed and depositing the remaining $74 million in the General Fund;

• Utilizing proceeds from the RETT to support State parks ($11 million) and for payments to local governments in the forest preserve ($5 million). These $16 million in expenditures are not included in the EPF;

• Funding the EPF at $134 million for the 2010-11 fiscal year, a $78 million reduction from the final 2009-10 level;

• Generating $4 million in new revenues to support the EPF, including increased penalties for violations of environmental laws and hazardous waste generation fees; and

• Enacting the Governor's E-waste Program Bill.

Governor Paterson's E-waste bill creates a statewide electronic equipment reuse and recycling program. Among other provisions, the legislation requires each manufacturer to accept for recycling or reuse its market share of the electronic waste it manufactures and establishes surcharges for failure to meet those standards. In addition, the legislation provides each manufacturer the ability to bank, trade or sell credits for the amount of electronic waste it collects in excess of its annual obligation. The Governor's bill incentivizes manufacturers to apply rapid technological advances and knowhow to the reuse of recycled electronic equipment and components.

It also requires that recycling remain free and convenient for New York consumers and places a disposal ban on electronics, to be fully phased-in by 2015, which will eliminate hazardous E-waste materials from landfills and relieve the burden currently borne by local governments.

"Recycling E-waste is great for the environment, presents tremendous economic opportunities for businesses growth and benefits the consumer," Governor Paterson said. "We must set high standards for how E-waste is disposed. My Program Bill, which the Legislature has agreed to pass, will take a significant step toward protecting our environment by properly regulating the disposal of hazardous materials, and is both pro-consumer and pro-business."

Senator Jose Serrano, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation said: "The people of New York have spoken loud and clear – they don't want their parks to close. With the sound source of revenue they provide, parks improve our economy with 5-to-1 return on investment to the State and improve the quality of life through affordable recreational activities. I am proud to deliver a solution to keeping parks open in time for the Memorial Day weekend."

Assemblyman Steve Englebright said: "As Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, I feel very strongly that these parks are vital to the livelihood of our State. They provide countless summer activities for New Yorkers, and they help promote tourism within the State, which is especially important given the current fiscal uncertainty. I applaud my colleagues for recognizing the devastation that would ensue if State parks were closed for the summer."

Assemblyman Robert Sweeney said: "This legislation will ensure that the Environmental Protection Fund is not drained, while simultaneously making for a greener, cleaner Empire State through electronic waste recycling. The benefit to New Yorkers, the environment and the local economy of keeping these State parks in operation far outweighs any perceived savings from keeping them closed. It's critical that people are able to continue utilizing our State parks and historic sites, especially with Memorial Day weekend approaching."

Lawrence Schillinger, Environmental Counsel for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, said: "The recycling industry applauds the Governor's leadership on this important issue. This legislation will strengthen New York's burgeoning electronic scrap recycling industry and will lead to more jobs and economic growth throughout the State."

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