José M. Serrano's posts related to State Parks

Senator Serrano Urges Leaders to Restore State Parks Funding

Posted by José M. Serrano on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Governor David A. Patterson's proposed budget significantly slashes funding for New York State Parks. If the proposed budget is enacted, 40 parks will undergo service reductions, and 91 State Parks and Historic Sites will be forced to close.

Senator José M. Serrano, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, has distributed the sign-on letter below- addressed to legislative leadership- to all members of the New York State Senate. He has garnered bipartisan support in favor of restoring funds for State Parks.

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Serrano, Englebright, Colleagues, and Advocates Call on Governor Paterson to Restore Funding for State Parks and Historic Sites

Posted by José M. Serrano on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) and Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D- Setauket), Chairmen of the Assembly and Senate Committees overseeing State Parks, convened a bipartisan press conference on Wednesday to discuss the devastating cuts to Parks in Governor David A. Paterson's proposed Executive Budget for FY 2010-11. Alongside colleagues and Parks advocates from across the state, they called on the Governor to restore a minimum of $11.3 million in operating aid for State Parks to the final state budget in order to prevent unprecedented park closures.

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Parks in the News...

Posted by José M. Serrano on Friday, March 5th, 2010

The successful bipartisan press conference and rally on State Parks on March 3rd, received a great deal of support as well as attention for the issue of Parks cuts on a city, state, and national level. 

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Serrano and the Senate Majority Committed to Saving State Parks

Today, Senator Serrano, the Senate Majority, and advocates stood together in support of State Parks.On Monday, the Majority Conference unanimously voted for a budget resolution which restored all $11.5 million of the Governor’s budget cuts to parks operations.  If enacted, the cut would have resulted in the closure of 57 State Parks and reduced operations at an additional 22 State Parks.

Meeting of Cultural Affairs Committee 3/8/10

Today Senator Serrano held a Parks Committee meeting with  Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to discuss the possible repercussions of the delayed budget on State Parks.

Serrano also sat for an interview to discuss the current budget crisis, and how it has affected State Parks. "The one thing that everyone agrees upon- Democrats, Republicans, Assemblymembers and Senators, is that we have to save State Parks," said Serrano.CLICK HERE for audio of entire interview.

Senator Serrano and Majority Conference Urge Compliance to Maintain Federal Parks Funding

Posted by José M. Serrano on Monday, April 12th, 2010

(Albany, NY)- Senator Jose M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) and the Senate Majority Conference announced opposition today to the National Parks Service’s threat to withhold federal funding as a result of the Governor’s proposal to close facilities within the State parks system.The Majority -- who led the fight against proposed cuts to parks funding, which would have closed dozens of locations -- urged the Governor to work with the federal Administration to determine a plan of action which maintains parks operations and does not endanger federal monies.

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Serrano and Englebright Urge Governor to Fund Parks

Posted by José M. Serrano on Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Today Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) and Assemblymember Steve Englebright (D- Setauket) released a letter sent by them to Governor David A. Paterson urging him to adequately fund State Parks in the FY 2010-2011 Executive Budget to prevent park closures throughout the state. The lawmakers, who have been at the forefront of the issue of protecting State Parks and Historic Sites during the current budget season, expressed concern for not only the long-term fate of these public spaces, but for their well-being during the budget negotiation process. 

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Meeting of Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee- April 21, 2010

The Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation met on April 21, 2010 to discuss State Parks, Historic Sites, and Tourism.