Policy

Riverkeeper applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for their dedication to our environment and clean water, as demonstrated by the passage of the 2025 state budget which includes significant wins for New York and the Hudson River.

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Governor Hochul gave her annual State of the State address in Albany, laying out her vision for New York Government in 2024.

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Riverkeeper is proud to announce the release of its second annual New York State Legislative Agenda for the 2024 legislative session, which encompasses a range of legislative and budgetary measures aimed at improving water quality and water infrastructure.

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On Tuesday, November 8, New York voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 1, the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Bond Act of 2022. Funds from the bond act will support capital improvements across the state including vital water infrastructure upgrades, water quality improvements, dam removals, environmental justice projects, and renewable energy all while creating 100,000 good paying jobs. Riverkeeper is a proud member of the Clean Water and Jobs coalition, a 300+ member coalition made up of environmental and conservation groups, labor and healthcare, faith, and good government […]

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Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature have enacted a state budget for the next fiscal year with substantial environmental funding and policy wins. The following are statements from Riverkeeper's President, Tracy Brown and Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Jeremy Cherson.

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State leaders passed a budget with a clear focus on protecting clean water and restoring wildlife habitat. The final budget that passed today will continue to make progress through a $500 million Clean Water Infrastructure Act, $300 million Environmental Protection Fund and the approval of a $3 billion environmental bond act ballot initiative set for the November 2022 general election. Riverkeeper Legislative Advocacy Manager Jeremy Cherson responded to the passage of the state budget. “The new funding — including the $3 billion bond act ballot […]

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released the 2022 Executive Budget proposal this afternoon at the state capitol in Albany. In the address, the Governor outlined a clean water and jobs focused budget that will continue to make progress on cleaning up our waterways and protecting wildlife across New York. Riverkeeper Legislative Advocacy Manager Jeremy Cherson responded to two proposals: The Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the Environmental Protection Fund. Clean Water Infrastructure Act “We’re grateful for the Governor’s commitment to water infrastructure funding in this challenging […]

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Riverkeeper issues the following statement from its President, Paul Gallay:  “We are deeply disappointed with the Cuomo Administration’s decision to pull the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act from the November ballot. This Bond Act would have addressed time-sensitive challenges all New Yorkers face in connection with climate change, the need for safe drinking water and growing threats to biodiversity. The sooner the state starts the projects that would have been funded by the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, the better prepared New York will be to meet difficult times ahead. […]

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released the 2020 Executive Budget proposal this afternoon at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.

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