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Issues & Action
New
York State Budget The Environmental
Protection Fund (EPF) is the state’s primary source
for environmental spending, and was created in 1993 to ensure
that critical environmental programs continue in good and
bad economic times. The EPF is funded through revenue generated
from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), which has provided
a dedicated and sustainable source of funding over the last
15 years.
In that time, the EPF has grown successfully
and has supported critically important programs that not only
protect New York’s land, air and water, but enhance
the State’s economy and improve public health. Projects
that clean our water, preserve our open spaces, protect working
farms, enhance parks, promote urban and community forestry,
recycling, and public health initiatives including pesticide
reductions, are among many that are funded by the EPF.
In the budget passed this April 2008,
the Governor and Legislature agreed to increase the EPF to
an historic high of $255 million. However, due to increasing
budget deficits, Governor Paterson has had to take drastic
measures to ensure a balanced budget. Unfortunately, the Governor
disinvests in the environment by slashing the Environmental
Protection Fund (EPF) by $50 million in FY 08-09, from $255
million to $205 million; and by undoing the EPF Enhancement
act, which authorized the EPF to increase to $300 million
this year, by only appropriating $205 million.
To find out more how the Governors budget
proposal impacts conservation funding in New York State Click
here
for Audubon New York’s Testimony on the 2009/2010 state
budget.
Also, please visit our Take
Action page to find out what you can do to Save the EPF!
For more information on Audubon New York's Budget Priorities
please contact:
Sean
Mahar, Director of Government Relations and Communications
Audubon New York
200 Trillium Lane, Albany, NY 12203
(518) 869-9731; Fax (518) 869-0737 |
