Action
Alert
Your Help is Needed to Increase
the EPF by $50 Million
Please Write to Governor Spitzer Today - Urge Him to Sign the
EPF Enhancement Act
Letters Must Arrive by July 17th
During this year's budget negotiations,
it was agreed that the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) would
receive a one time increase of $25 million from last year's record
level of $225 million. As the legislative session concluded,
the Senate and Assembly passed the EPF Enhancement Bill that
would increase funding in future years.
The EPF Enhancement Act
This bill, A.8339/S.5304, sponsored
by the EnCon Chairs in both houses, Senator Carl Marcellino and
Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, would make permanent the additional
$25 million added this year and also increase the EPF to $300
million by 2009. This bill has tremendous support among environmental
advocacy groups, including the large coalition known as the Friends
of New York's Environment, which the Adirondack Council is an
active participant.
Some people have expressed concerns about the bill because it
directs future spending and was not passed with the regular budget.
However, the bill simply takes a larger portion of the Real Estate
Transfer Tax (RETT) and directs it to the EPF. The RETT is the
largest source of EPF funds and has continued to grow at a fast
rate as property across New York is bought and sold. This tax
brings in over a $1 billion to the state and only a fraction
goes toward the EPF. We believe that environmental protection
should also continue to grow as new houses are built and sold.
Governor Spitzer Needs
to Act
The EPF Enhancement Act has been
sent to Governor Spitzer and it awaits his signature. We need
to make sure he signs the bill into law to make permanent the
increase in the EPF.
We know that your personal letters make a difference. In your
own words, please write to Governor Spitzer today and ask him
to:
- Sign the EPF Enhancement Act,
A.8339 (Sweeney)/S.5304 (Marcellino).
- Increase the EPF to pay for
important projects such as land acquisition, stewardship of state
lands, recycling, and control of invasive species.
- Make sure that the environment
receives its fair share of the Real Estate Transfer Tax.
It is extremely important
that the Governor receive your letter on or before
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Please send your letters
to:
Honorable Eliot Spitzer
Governor
The Executive Chamber
New York State Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
Fax (518) 474-1513
If possible, please send us a
copy of your letter too. (Our address is below.) If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us. Thank you for your support!
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