Following Proposition One: The Environmental Bond Act’s passage last year, New York State has begun working with the public, local municipalities and other stakeholders on the next steps for this monumental investment in our State’s green infrastructure. To that end, New York State will be hosting a listening tour stop at the Westchester County Center on Tuesday, August 15, at 1 p.m. To learn more and pre-register for the event, visit www.ny.gov/bondact.
During last year’s statewide referendum on the Environmental Bond Act, Westchester County voters overwhelmingly supported the measure. Prior to the vote, Westchester County Executive George Latimer released a short video, with the assistance of Westchester residents, urging voters to remember to “flip it over” and have their voice heard on this important issue. That video can be seen HERE.
Latimer said: “Westchester County made their voice heard loud and clear in support of this vital measure aimed at improving and restoring New York’s natural resources while reducing the impacts of climate change. Now that it has passed, the real work begins. I thank Governor Hochul and New York State Government for understanding the importance this work has and urge Westchester residents to stop by the County Center and learn more about how the implementation of this Bond Act will work to better all of our futures.”
At the listening tour stop, there will be an opening presentation discussing the priorities that drove the creation of the Bond Act, particularly the mandate to make significant investments in the communities most burdened by the legacy of pollution, systemic racism and inequitable funding. This will be followed by discussions about the main funding categories that will:
- support substantial investments for public schools, including Clean Green Schools and zero-emission buses;
- provide clean water to drink, and invest in critical water infrastructure;
- restore vital environmental habitats;
- reduce flood risks;
- preserve outdoor spaces and local farms; and
- invest in climate change adaptation and mitigation projects that will reduce air pollution, and lower carbon emissions.
Following these presentations there will be an open house setting with informational tables set up on the topics discussed in this presentation, each staffed by representatives from State agencies.