Gov. Paterson signs Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act
In a huge victory for Smart Growth in New York State, the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act was signed Monday night by NYS Governor David A. Paterson. This legislation is a big win for the Smart Growth movement in New York State, that will help prioritize infrastructure investments in town centers and exisiting downtowns. The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Priority Act (A8011B/S5560B) instructs State agencies, authorities and public corporations to align their spending on infrastructure with stated Smart Growth criteria. Many of these agencies must form advisory committees that include environmental and community stakeholders in order to advise them on public infrastructure investments in accordance with Smart Growth principles. The agencies are further instructed to issue written Smart Growth Impact Statements in regard to their project choices, which includes providing justifications for projects deemed vital that do not meet Smart Growth criteria. It “requires such infrastructure investments, to the extent practicable, to meet the criteria.” Governor Paterson said, "An investment in smart, sustainable growth is an investment in the long-term fiscal, economic and environmental sustainability of the State. At a time when I've been putting all State spending under a microscope, this bill will promote fiscally sound and economically beneficial investments of taxpayer dollars that will help New York survive and thrive in the New Economy." Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, said, “Vision Long Island and all the proponents of Smart Growth on Long Island applaud Governor Paterson for signing legislation that will finally set Smart Growth policy for New York. This legislation will help prioritize infrastructure investments for our downtowns while limiting NYS subsidized sprawl on open space.” Strong support has come from Empire State Future, under the direction of Peter Fleischer; The Smart Growth Cabinet, under the direction of Paul Beyer; and The Long Island Lobby Day Coalition, among others. The Long Island Lobby Day Coalition represents over 30 Long Island businesses, environmental groups, civics, human services, Smart Growth planners, labor groups and transportation advocates, all of whom signed on to support this bill. The groups include: AARP, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Empire State Future, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Federation of Labor, Long Island Business Council, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Software and Technology Network, Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, Suffolk Community Council, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Vision Long Island. Participating organizations have included Coram Civic Association, Dowling College, Fair Media Council, Friends of Edgewood Preserve, Friends of Huntington Station, Glen Cove Business Improvement District, Gordon Heights Civic Association, Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce, Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Huntington, Let there be Lighthouse, Long Island Housing Partnership, Mastic Beach Property Owners, Middle Island Civic Association, Neighborhood Network, New York League of Conservation Voters-LI Chapter, Plainview/Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, Renaissance Downtowns, Rocky Point Civic Association, Save the Forge River, US Green Building Council and Youth of Ethical Societies-LI Chapter. When the bill first passed through the Senate in June, among the first to hear the news were 600 attendees of the 2010 Smart Growth Awards. Senator Brian X. Foley, a sponsor of the bill, called in to the event with the hot-off-the-Senate-floor news that the bill had passed overwhelmingly. Since then, Long Islanders have been anxiously awaiting the Governor’s signature that finally came at 8pm on Monday night. We thank every organization, group, and individual who helped pass this vital legislation. Special kudos goes out to all the Legislators who listened to their constituents and voted overwhelmingly in support of this bill. We have been told that Long Island’s overwhelming support for this legislation was essential in getting the bill passed. The Long Island Senators who voted for the bill include: Flanagan, Foley, Fuschillo, Hannon, C. Johnson, LaValle, Marcellino and Skelos.
Assemblymembers who supported the bill include: Alessi, Alfano, McDonough, Fields, Sweeney, McKevitt, Fitzpatrick, Thiele, Ramos, Barra, Conte, Montesano, Murray, Lavine, Boyle, Saladino, Schimel, Englebright and Hooper.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, the Assembly bill’s sponsor, said “With this new law, New York has established itself as a national leader in promoting smart growth and sustainability. This new law is as much an economic and fiscal reform as it is an environmental reform. Smart Growth is smart business. Instead of continuing to make unwise and fiscally irresponsible investments in sprawl, this law redirects our taxpayer dollars toward areas in need of revitalization, such as urban, village and town centers. Investments in smart growth and sustainability are investments in the long-term economic, fiscal and environmental sustainability of our state and region. I thank Governor Paterson for his commitment to upstate economic development and fiscal responsibility.” Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, the Senate’s bill sponsor, said, “I am pleased to have sponsored this important legislation, which incorporates Smart Growth principles into the evaluation of public infrastructure projects. Smart growth practices promote economic growth and reinvestment in developed and developing areas, while protecting open space and natural resources. This bill will result in better agency decision-making and wise planning, which will in turn create more environmentally friendly places to live and work.” Senator Brian X. Foley said, “Coming from an area of the state that has been championing the Smart Growth principles for a number of years, we are very, very pleased that this is now being taken state wide…This represents a lot of effort by so many different advocates throughout the state. And it shows that when elected officials and advocates work together, refine bills then put it forward, we do something that’s really remarkable. This is going to impact the everyday lives of New Yorkers throughout our state and that is what public service should be about” Senator Craig Johnson said, ““For far too long, it seemed that when it came to planning in suburban areas, pedestrians came last. What this legislation will do is make sure the pedestrian is first. And that’s important.” NYS Senator Carl Marcellino said, “By embracing Smart Growth values, we are beginning to develop a long-range, regional approach to sustainability of our communities. This legislation starts a process that will inspire an overdue change of philosophy as we develop our ever expanding neighborhoods. Without such action, our environment and communities will continue to be threatened by shortsighted and poorly planned development.” NYS Assemblywoman Ginny Fields said, "having passed the first Comprehensive Smart Growth Plan for Suffolk County in 2000 as a Suffolk County Legislator, I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of Assembly member Sam Hoyt’s bill for the State. This legislation will benefit all of the people of New York State." NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. said, “As a strong advocate for the environment, I believe in Smart Growth principles. Helping to enact this legislation was important to me because the communities on the East End are facing severe development pressures. The establishment of a state Smart Growth public infrastructure policy act will assist in the fight against urban and suburban sprawl. I was pleased to be a part of this successful effort which builds upon Vision Long Island’s mission of promoting economically sustainable and responsible environmental growth on Long Island.“ NYS Assemblyman Marc Alessi said, “Smart Growth is the key to finding a balance between development and green spaces. Where it makes sense, reinvesting in existing infrastructure instead of developing raw land will help lower costs and protect the open spaces that make Long Island what it is. It’s a win-win situation for our communities.” Peter Fleischer, Executive Director, Empire State Future said, “Empire State Future, a statewide coalition of organizations dedicated to the economic revitalization of New York State is extremely pleased that the Governor has signed the Public Infrastructure Policy Act. This bill will go a long way to making New York a more sustainable place, economically and environmentally. Special thanks go out to NY Power Authority chair Richard Kessel, Renaissance Downtowns, RXR, and former Suffolk County Executive/Vision Long Island Board Member and Patrick Halpin for their critical support in the bill’s final days. Stay tuned for more information about this important legislation. |
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.
For more information about Vision Long Island, visit visionlongisland.org or contact us at: |
