Kathy Hochul

The Adirondack Park Agency At 50: State Leaders Are Missing The Point

February 7, 2023 by David Gibson 1 Comment

Well, it’s happened again. Another state budget is proposed by the Executive, wherein the Adirondack Park Agency’s legislated job is mischaracterized by this Governor’s (and former governors’) budget divisions as working “to achieve a balance between strong environmental protection and sustainable economic development opportunities for the residents of the Adirondack Park” (2023 Executive Budget Briefing Book).

Balance is an important goal to strive for in our individual lives. However, nothing in the Adirondack Park Agency law, now reaching 50 years old in May, calls for “a balance between strong environmental protection and sustainable economic development.” [Read more…] about The Adirondack Park Agency At 50: State Leaders Are Missing The Point

Adirondack Environmental Priorities in Governor Hocul’s Budget

February 6, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s FY2023/24 budget proposal includes significant funding and policy proposals for municipal clean water and wastewater projects, environmental jobs training, an Environmental Protection Fund of $400 million, and “Cap and Invest” program expected to generate $1 billion for programs to fight climate change, according to the Adirondack Council. [Read more…] about Adirondack Environmental Priorities in Governor Hocul’s Budget

State Parks Plan To Be Energy Independent By 2030

January 27, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

At the State Of The State Address on January 10, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul introduced an ambitious response to climate change. Largely ignored in the reporting over those efforts is a plan to switch State Parks to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. [Read more…] about State Parks Plan To Be Energy Independent By 2030

10 Organizations Unite to Call for Adirondack Investments

December 23, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A coalition of 10 conservation and educational organizations has sent a letter to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul urging her upcoming State of the State message and Executive Budget proposal to advance investments and strengthened policies to improve the protection and management of the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about 10 Organizations Unite to Call for Adirondack Investments

Zero Emission Vehicles: Quieter Roadways and Cleaner Air

November 12, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

NYS is moving into a cleaner future by increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on the road. ZEVs include battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid electric-powered vehicles. Governor Kayth Hochul recently directed DEC to propose the adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations. [Read more…] about Zero Emission Vehicles: Quieter Roadways and Cleaner Air

Historic Capital Funding for NYS Council on the Arts

October 12, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

On Thursday, September 29th, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced an historic new commitment of $100 million in capital funding for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to be made available for large-scale capital projects. [Read more…] about Historic Capital Funding for NYS Council on the Arts

Despite Elise Stefanik’s Claims, NYS Gun Law Doesn’t Prohibit Historical Events

September 20, 2022 by Anthony F. Hall 3 Comments

New York’s new gun law, which bans weapons from “sensitive locations” such as parks and museums, will have no effect on musket demonstrations, including at Fort William Henry or re-enactments in Lake George Battlefield Park, according to Warren County Sheriff James La Farr.

“It is not within the spirit of the law to prohibit those activities,” LaFarr said. The re-enactors’ muskets and cannon fire only blanks.

Fort Ticonderoga, which is located in Essex County, is also unaffected by the new law, says its president and CEO, Beth Hill. “We do not plan to change our operations or special events,” she said. [Read more…] about Despite Elise Stefanik’s Claims, NYS Gun Law Doesn’t Prohibit Historical Events

Despite GOP Claims, Guns Not Banned in Adirondack Park

July 22, 2022 by Anthony F. Hall 6 Comments

The claims of US Representative Elise Stefanik, New York State Senator Dan Stec and others that the six-million-acre Adirondack Park is among the “sensitive locations” from which all firearms would be banned under new legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, while ludicrous, at least concentrates our minds on the question of what, precisely, makes the Adirondack Park a park unlike almost any other. [Read more…] about Despite GOP Claims, Guns Not Banned in Adirondack Park

Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature

June 8, 2022 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

The New York State Legislature passed A.9710/S.8934 “An act in relation to conducting a study of public and private museums in New York state,” unanimously in the Assembly on May 24th and in the Senate on June 2nd.

“This bill will make a difference to every museum in the state regardless of budget size, discipline, or location,” said Erika Sanger, Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York (MANY). The bill is headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk and her signature would enable the act to take effect immediately. [Read more…] about Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature

Forever Adirondacks Campaign Celebrates Budget Victories

April 13, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The coalition supporting the new Forever Adirondacks Campaign for clean water, jobs and wilderness – led by the Adirondack Council’s Aaron Mair – declared victory as state government moved to approve a budget that includes funding for a series of top campaign priorities.

The Forever Adirondacks Campaign is a coalition of advocates, government officials, business leaders, educators, college administrators, grassroots activists and not-for-profit organizational partners seeking clean water, jobs and wilderness. [Read more…] about Forever Adirondacks Campaign Celebrates Budget Victories