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Watertown Daily Times – Parks closing measure passed – ASSEMBLY OKS BILL: Public hearings and reports would be required in new law
NYS Assembly
By BRIAN AMARAL – TIMES STAFF WRITER – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 – The state Assembly passed a bill Monday that would require public hearings and reports that would provide justification before any closure of state parks.
The bill — similar to one that the Assembly passed last year but that ultimately failed in the Senate — comes on the heels of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s budget proposal, which included no specifics on park closures. The budget maintains the same level of funding for the Environmental Protection Fund, which is the primary source of financing for the state parks system, as last year, at $134 million. The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation would see an 8.3 percent cut, from $228 million to $209 million.
The vote was 132-0. The bill must pass the state Senate and be signed by the governor before it becomes a law.
Last year, Gov. David A. Paterson’s budget proposed the closure of 55 state parks, including seven in the Thousand Islands park system and the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site. The sites were saved before Memorial Day in a budget deal that diverted $11 million in real estate tax revenue to the environmental fund.
“This legislation gives the citizens a six-month head’s up regarding any plans to close state parks and provides more openness and transparency to the closure process,” Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush R-Black River, said in an e-mail. “Since there are many parks in my district, I voted for this bill.”
NY Times – Another Emergency Bill Averts Albany Shutdown
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: June 14, 2010
ALBANY — State lawmakers narrowly approved the latest in a series of emergency budget bills on Monday night, temporarily averting a government shutdown that officials said would be catastrophic for New Yorkers.
After days of bitter public debate in which Gov. David A. Patersonand state lawmakers each sought to pre-emptively cast blame for a potential shutdown, the State Assembly and Senate each approved the emergency bill, largely along party lines.
In the Democratic-controlled Assembly, the bill was approved by a wide margin, with some Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in opposition. In the Senate, where Democrats hold a 32-to-30 majority and faced an internal revolt over the emergency bill, all but one Democrat ultimately voted for the legislation. They were joined by three Republicans, despite suggestions from Republican leaders last week that all their members would withhold support until a complete budget deal was reached.
“To not pass this extender would drive New York into a state of chaos,” said Hugh T. Farley, one of the three Republicans who voted for the bill. Mr. Farley, whose district in the Schenectady area is home to thousands of state workers, called the late budget “the worst thing that I’ve seen in my 34 years in the Senate” and warned, “Don’t count on me for any more extenders.” The budget was supposed to have been approved by April 1.
Monday’s emergency bill was the 11th introduced by Mr. Paterson and approved by the Legislature since March 31, when the state’s previous fiscal year expired. As in the last such bill, the new emergency bill also incorporated a package of long-term spending cuts that advanced, in piecemeal fashion, an all-around state budget deal.
The new bill included about $326 million in cuts to programs for the mentally disabled and social services. After negotiations between the governor and the Legislature last week, the bill restored some money that Mr. Paterson had sought to cut from summer youth programs, welfare grants and programs for the elderly. Part of that spending will be offset by canceling new programs, while some will have to be made up with cuts elsewhere in the budget as talks continue.
It is difficult to gauge how much progress is being made on a budget agreement, as Mr. Paterson and the Legislature continue to describe those discussions in starkly different terms.
Meeting with reporters on Sunday, Mr. Paterson described himself as far apart from the Legislature. On Monday, however, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, “We are moving closer and closer on an overall budget plan, and we hope to succeed on that.” He added, “I can’t tell you whether the governor is optimistic or pessimistic.”
Because the last few emergency bills have also included some long-term budget cuts — to Medicaid, for instance — part of the new budget has in effect already been completed. In each of those areas, Mr. Paterson has inserted his proposed cuts into the emergency bills, but then allowed the Legislature to tinker with some specific programs while keeping the sizes of the cuts roughly the same.
Officials said that the three-way negotiations were now focused on about $700 million to $800 million of potential savings, including reducing the Legislature’s discretionary pork-barrel spending, known in Albany as member items, and Mr. Paterson’s proposal for a new tax on hospitals and other health care institutions.
One legislative official, who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations, estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the state’s spending for the current fiscal year had been locked in. Of a projected deficit of more than $9 billion, the official said, that left a gap of about $1.7 billion to be met with further cuts, new taxes or borrowing.
In that sense, the efforts of the last week have brought the state closer to a budget deal simply by narrowing the decisions that remain. And the remaining gap could be closed using a combination of ideas, including Mr. Paterson’s proposal to tax sugared soft drinks, the Assembly’s proposal for short-term borrowing, or the Senate’s proposal to refinance New York’s share of the nationwide tobacco settlement. (Deeper cuts are also a possibility.)
But some of the most politically tough decisions have not yet been made. Mr. Paterson has not ruled out inserting sweeping school cuts into the next emergency bill, which could set off a war with Mr. Silver, who has fought to shrink those cuts by about $419 million.
“There are some difficult cuts that have to be made, and we have to work them out,” Mr. Silver said.
Serrano Thrilled with Memorial Day Weekend Attendance at State Parks
José M. Serrano
Posted on Friday, June 4th, 2010
“I am so thrilled and excited to learn of the major increase in park attendance that we are currently seeing. Now more than ever, we should recognize the significance that State Parks hold for the people of New York,” stated Senator José M. Serrano after the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that with 1.17 million visitors over Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31), attendance at State Parks soared by 245,296 visitors. This translates to a 17 percent increase from the 2009 holiday weekend.
Serrano, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, was a vocal advocate in the fight to keep State Parks open, after Governor David A. Paterson proposed budget cuts that would have padlocked many parks throughout the state.
“Had our parks been closed, the people of our state would have been deprived of one of our greatest natural resources,” said Serrano. “Our communities’ access to recreational and physical activities would have been greatly diminished. Additionally, the state would have lost significant revenue that, if Memorial Day weekend is any indication, will increase considerably from last summer.”
In addition to the increase in overall park visitors, the amount of State Park system campsites that were occupied over the holiday weekend increased by a whopping 88 percent when compared to last year. There was also a significant increase in sales of the Empire Passport, an annual pass that provides unlimited use of most of New York’s State Parks.
“Just as the state is undergoing a financial crisis, so is the average New Yorker,” said the Senator. “State Parks and Historic Sites are a worthwhile, economical alternative to expensive summer retreats, as they offer varied educational, recreational and relaxation opportunities that every New Yorker can enjoy.” He continued, “Thanks to the hard work and support of vocal parks advocates throughout our communities, Parks Commissioner Carol Ash and her staff, and the people of our state, we can all look forward to a thriving summer park season.”
NYSR – Thank You!
MEMORIAL DAY AT RIVERBANK – MAY 31, 2010
June 3, 2010
Lewis Burgess
When Governor Paterson and Commissioner Ash proposed to close dozens of NYS State Parks and historic sites and reduce operating hours, classes, pools, and services at dozens of others on February 19th, no one imagined that there would be an unrelenting state-wide outcry rejecting the proposal.
On March 3rd, Senator Jose M. Serrano and Assemblyman Steve Englebright rallied Senators and Assemblymembers to the cause. From beginning to end, the two legislators were unrelenting in their efforts to restore funding to NYS parks and historic sites Kudos to them.
And once informed, citizens across the state, upstate and downstate, began to organize hold rallies and campaign to keep our parks and historic sites open and operating as usual.
Riverbankers also rallied and campaigned to save Riverbank non-stop from March 4th to May 28th. Riverbankers joined together at rallies at Riverbank, in front of the NYS Office Building, and at a vigil on May 17th at the 137th Street entrance. Riverbankers called, wrote and met with legislators, interviewed with NY1, the Daily News, El Diario, Amsterdam News, DNAInfo, manned info and petition tables, bought Save Riverbank t-shirts and swim caps, made Riverbank videos for YouTube, designed graphics, blogged, reported, researched and Facebooked. 5,297 of us signed a petition that was sent to Governor Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Majority Conference Leader Senator John L. Sampson. The Riverbank Community of park users spread the word to save Riverbank.
Our local legislators also responded to the call to hold Riverbank harmless in the budget crisis. Assemblymen Daniel O’Donnell, Keith L.T. Wright and Herman D. Farrell joined the fray early with their March 3rd joint letter to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Senator Eric Schneiderman appealed to Governor Paterson and Senator Sampson on March 24th. Since then Herman D. Farrell carried the cause to the floor of the Assembly and fought for Riverbank. They all voted in the affirmative in the Senate and Assembly budget resolutions to restore NYS parks as well as the bills that freed the parks and historic sites from devastating budget cuts.
Quietly in the background, the Albany Office of OPRHP, the New York City Commission of the State Council of Recreation and Historic Preservation and Riverbank State Park administration and employees supported the Riverbank Community effort to restore the budget cuts from the beginning. Community Planning Board 9 sent a unanimously approved letter to Governor Paterson on May 21st.
The Riverbank Community thanks you all.
In the end, after much political brouhaha and wheeling and dealing in Albany, all NYS parks and historic parks where held harmless in the budget crisis on May 28th. The citizen’s outcry was heard, our parks were given back to us as it should be.
NYSR – ALL PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES ARE OPEN!
Players on Riverbank's Soccer/Football Field
May 28, 2010
Lewis Burgess
The Parks are Open for the Memorial Day Weekend and the Rest of the YEAR!
The Assembly (86-47) and Senate (32-27) and Assembly approved Governor Paterson’s Program Bill #267, A11308, S7988 early this morning at 2:59 am and afternoon at 2:37 pm. The bill provides $11.2 million dollars to maintain operations at 178 parks, 35 historic sites and all campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills for State Fiscal Year 2010-2011. It will provide $134 million for a wide variety of environmental projects and establish a state-wide E-waste program to reuse and recycle electronic equipment that is expected to generate $4 million in revenues from fees, surcharges and penalties that will go into for the Environmental Protection Fund.
To achieve these results $80 million was diverted from Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) revenues. These revenues would have been deposited into the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). $6 million of the $80 million went to reopen the 55 closed parks and historic sites. $5.2 million went to fund all the open parks and historic sites for the rest of the fiscal year. $5 million was used for payments to local governments in the forest preserve. The EPF received $130 million for RETT and $4 million from the E-Waste program. EPF funding in SFY 2009-10 was $212 million. This year EPF funding was reduced by$78 million.
OUR VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD!
OUR LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR DID THE RIGHT THING! THANK YOU!
LET US ENJOY OUR PARKS THIS WEEKEND, THIS SUMMER AND FOR REST OF THE YEAR!
ENJOY RIVERBANK!
NYS ASSEMBLY VOTES TO FULLY RESTORE FUNDING FOR PARKS
Dear Supporters of Riverbank State Park:
Just moments ago, at 2:59 AM to be exact, the New York State Assembly voted to restore funding for New York State Parks throughout the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. Simply put, if the Senate passes their companion bill and the Governor signs the legislation, Riverbank State Park will avoid any further service reductions and/or closure during the upcoming Summer and Fall seasons. I, along with Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, Jr. and Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, joined the majority of New York State Assemblymembers who voted to ensure that our Park remains a vital resource to the Harlem community and the Greater New York Metropolitan area. By a vote of 86-47 (http://bit.ly/bPy0X0), the New York State Assembly affirmed our continued commitment to Riverbank State Park and the constituencies which rely upon this bastion of peace, tranquility, open space and recreation.
Thank you for your vociferous and unrelenting support of Riverbank State Park! I look forward to using my vote and my voice in the New York State Legislature to ensure that Riverbank remains fully operational and vibrant for the entirety of my legislative career.
As always, if you should have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me and I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Assemblyman Keith Wright
212-866-5809- Phone
212-864-1368- Fax
wrightk@nysa.us
NYSR – Paterson says there appears to be an agreement to keep parks open, maybe
Governor David A. Paterson
May 27, 2010
Updated: May 27, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Lewis Burgess
Governor David Paterson says an agreement may be reached to keep all state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend if lawmakers approve the legislation.
On the “The John Gambling Show,” on WOR radio 710, Paterson said negotiations that ended early Thursday morning at 4:00 am would provide $11 million for full operations this year.
“We worked until about four o’clock in the morning and the staffs of the Senate and Assembly and the governor’s office appear to have resolved the issues about the state parks, if the legislators come in this morning and find that this is to their liking and, the Senate and Assembly members will conference this morning, then they will probably pass the needed legislation and the parks will be open,” Paterson said in the morning.
However, there have been conflciting reports throughout the day. Shortly after 5:00 p.m. when the Senate session ended, Senator Eric Schneiderman (D – Manhattan) told CBS 6 there were only “elements of a deal,” explaining that his conference had made changes to the governor’s draft of the bill.
Program Bill #267 is now ready for a vote and serves three purposes. The bill provides $11.2 million dollars to maintain operations at 178 parks, 35 historic sites and all campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills. It will provide $134 million for a wide variety of environmental projects and establish a state-wide E-waste program to reuse and recycle electronic equipment that is expected to generate $4 million in revenues from fees, surcharges and penalties for the Environmental Protection Fund.
To achieve these results $80 million was diverted from Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) revenues. These revenues would have been deposited into the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). $6 million of the $80 million went to reopen the 55 closed parks and historic sites. $5.2 million went to fund all of open parks and historic sites and $5 million was used for payments to local governments in the forest preserve. The EPF received $130 million for RETT and $4 million from the E-Waste program. EPF funding in SFY 2009-10 was $212 million. This year EPF funding was reduced by$78 million.
There is no guarantee that the bill will pass the Legislature because of legislator and environmental opposition to the $78 million reduction of the Environmental Protection Fund.
The Assembly and the Senate is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow, May 28th.
WBEN – Paterson Talks Parks, Dysfunction in Albany
Governor David A. Paterson
Posted: Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:21PM
Tom Puckett Reporting
tpuckett@entercom.com
Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Governor Paterson says he’s willing to open up parks in time of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but needs help from state lawmakers. Meantime, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says negotiations are continuing to reach a deal to open the parks.
Paterson tells WSYR in Syracuse he’s willing to open the parks, but there need to be cuts of $5-6 million. “It is a good gesture if we can reopen the parks, but I need to account for it in the books,” says Paterson, “and until they make an agreement with me where I don’t have to give up any of my savings in the deficit reduction plan, I’m not going to do it.”
Paterson claims lawmakers want to restore some of the cuts he made in the Environmental Protection Fund. “They’ve already restored so much money so they’ll subtract some of the restoration but it still leaves them plenty of room and leaves me to make the difference on my own,” says Paterson which goes back to the problem of spending money the state does not have.
Paterson says it’s yet another example of dysfunction in Albany. “They can’t come up with $5 million more than what I’ve called for in reductions. If they can’t find $5 million, how are they going to come up with the $2 billion gap between them and executive branch right now?,” he pondered.
WTEN – Deal reached on NY State Parks? Not so fast
Posted: May 26, 2010 1:27 PM
Updated: May 26, 2010 6:12 PM
ALBANY, N.Y. — One day after the State Senate voted on a plan to keep State Parks up and running, rumors swirled around Albany that lawmakers had reached a joint agreement on reopening the 55 shuttered parks and historic sites.
This proved to not be true Wednesday.
NEWS10 received word in the morning that that lawmakers had reached a “three-way” deal on the State Parks; meaning leaders from the Assembly, State Senate and Governor Paterson had all come to an agreement.
When the news first hit, it was said lawmakers would hold a press conference on the deal at 11:30 Wednesday morning. That announcement was then rumored to be pushed back to 2 p.m.
By noontime, it was revealed that any planned announcement had been cancelled.
To make matters more confusing, NEWS10 received conflicting statements from the State Senate majority and the Governor’s office.
When asked about the purported deal, State Senate Majority Spokesperson Austin Shafran said in an emailed statement, “We have a tentative agreement to keep parks open this weekend and for the remainder of the year but details are still being worked out.”
On the other hand, Morgan Hook, Governor Paterson’s Communications Director, told NEWS10, “as (sic.) an administration source – there is no deal.”
In Wednesday afternoon press conference, Gov. Paterson said no deal had been made on the parks, but was optimistic one would be made soon.
According to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, an agreement is close but nothing is concrete yet. He believes the parks will be back open for the weekend.
State Senators unanimously voted on a plan Tuesday evening to keep State Parks up and running.
According to State Sen. José Serrano (D-Manhattan), who sponsored the bill, the plan would give New York’s parks commissioner the authority to use money already available in each weekly budget extender.
“To move forward with the summer schedule,” Sen. Serrano said, explaining what the bill would permit. “Mowing the lawns, opening up things, getting the parks ready, taking camp reservations in anticipation of a full budget being completed soon.”
But Assembly members disagreed about the effectiveness such a bill would have, pointing out the need for Governor Paterson ‘s approval and no specific funding outlined in the bill.
Assembly members did not vote on the issue Wednesday. They will return to session 1 p.m. Thursday.
Press Release – SENATOR SERRANO’S PUSH FOR PARKS FUNDING PAYS OFF
Senator José M. Serrano
(Albany, NY) – Senator Jose M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx), chair of Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Recreation Committee sponsored legislation (S7776-A) that passed unanimously today in the Senate, allowing State Parks and Historic Sites to open for the summer season.
“We have made our voices heard, and there is now a light at the end of the tunnel” said Senator Serrano, who has spent the last several months making the case in Albany for funding State Parks.
This legislation requires that State Parks and Historic Sites maintain the same hours of operation as they did last year and allows the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to use funds already appropriated in the extender bills so that parks and historic sites are able to carry out preparations for the summer.
Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane), co-sponsor of this bill said, “We need to implement a plan quickly so our closed state parks and historic sites can re-open and be enjoyed by the public as much as possible this summer season. Finding a way to keep these popular locations open in the face of our fiscal crisis has been of great importance to me, and this bill puts us on the right path.”
Serrano, who recently met with Governor Paterson to request that parks be included in future extender bills, and sent him a sign-on letter with broad bipartisan support to the same effect, said he applauded Paterson’s efforts to provide for funding to keep parks open but doesn’t agree it should come out of the Environmental Protection Fund.
“The EPF is vital to the long-term environmental health of the state by helping to sustain Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums as well as municipal parks. Funding for Parks and the EPF must both be protected; otherwise New Yorkers will lose the quality recreational environment on which they have come to rely.”
The Senator took a proactive approach to keep state parks open and protect our historic treasures that affects million of New Yorkers.
“I am very pleased to pass legislation that we were able to give New Yorkers their parks back. With a 5 to 1 return on investment to the state, parks help generate $1.9 billion annually in economic activity and this bill ensures that we won’t miss the opportunity to bring in revenue this Memorial Day weekend.”
Assemblyman Steve Englebright is sponsoring this legislation in the Assembly where it will also be voted on later this week.
Save Riverbank 