Issues: Environment

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Sen. O’Brien has been recognized by the New York League of Conservation Voters as one of the most promising new environmental leaders in the state.

Showing his commitment to protecting our state’s resources and our citizens’ health, O’Brien has recently introduced several bills attempting to tackle serious environmental issues:

Prompted by flaws in the regulatory process and a lack of any transparency or clear definition in the Department of Health's "health review," Sen. Krueger today joined Assemblymember Barbara Lifton and many colleagues calling on Gov. Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation to halt development of regulations permitting horizontal hydraulic fracturing ("hydrofracking") absent a full, thorough, and transparent assessment of the practice's potential effects on public health.

Less than three months after Senate Co-Leaders Jeffrey D. Klein and Dean G. Skelos launched the New York State Senate Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy recovery, the Task Force has released its preliminary report and recommendations on Sandy relief and storm planning. The preliminary report and recommendations come after Task Force members toured storm damaged communities across the New York City Metro Area, including Freeport, Island Park, Oceanside, The Rockaways, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Hudson Valley. Following each tour, the Task Force held roundtable discussions with over one hundred community, private sector, and government stakeholders, including major insurance carriers and senior members of the Cuomo administration.

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (D-46th S.D.) has been appointed the Ranking Democratic Member on two legislative committees -- Elections and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. She will also serve as a member of four other Senate committees – Education, Agriculture, Environmental Conservation and Children and Families.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

· Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R, C, I - Port Jefferson) will host a two-hour-long Environmental Roundtable to discuss environmental issues impacting the First Senate District on Thursday, February 7, 2013, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Suffolk Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center, 20 East Main St., Riverhead.

This year’s participants will again help Senator LaValle chart a legislative agenda that continues efforts to preserve the character and quality of life in our region.